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EARTH PRIME TIME: JUSTICE LEAGUE: DOOM

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Vandal Savage rounds up the baddest of DC villains to bring down the Justice League in Justice League: Doom, the latest DC Universe Animated Movie.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0MSuTJNDdc

Written by Dwayne McDuffie before his passing in 2011, the story is based on Mark Waid’s JLA: Tower of Babel. Mark is not directly credited in any way for this in the movie, but rather Dwayne makes enough changes to the story and characters to make this movie different but similar.

The comic world was shocked, saddened and dismayed that on the day that the All-Star Superman DVD was released screenwriter Dwayne McDuffie passed away.

Both scripts are great, enjoyable movies for new superhero fans and old veterans alike.

Immortal super-villain Vandal Savage promises a huge paycheck to the likes of Bane (Dark Knight Rises villain), Metallo, Cheetah, Star Sapphire, Mirror Master and Ma’alefa’ak (evil twin brother of Martian Manhunter) to take down the members of the Justice League. On a recon mission, Mirror Master hacks into a Justice League computer to compile the information that the Legion of Doom will need to weaken the League.

Wonder Woman vs. Too Many Cheetahs!

Wonder Woman vs. Too Many Cheetahs!

Each villain is matched with an opposite hero to destroy. Bane buries Bruce with the corpses of his parents, Martian Manhunter faces his brother and Wonder Woman squares off against multiple Cheetahs. Savage’s plan includes blasting Superman with a Kryptonite bullet, nearly killing Kal-El.

The third act deals with Vandal’s long term plan (…now that the Justice League is out of the way!) to destroy the Earth from the Hall of Doom!

"(Evil Laughter) To Victory! To the Legion of Doom!"

"(Evil Laugther) To Victory! To the Legion of Doom!"

It becomes tough to preview a movie without spoiling major plot points, so I’ll highlight some of my favorite qualities of the film. Most of the original voice actors reprise their roles from the Justice League TV shows. Kevin Conroy is the Batman, Tim Daly is Superman, Michael Rosenbaum (Smallville) is Barry Allen/Flash and browncoat Nathan Fillion stars as Hal Jordan/Green Lantern. Susan Eisenberg reprises her Wonder Woman role. Bumper Robinson is a breakout star, as this movie introduces popular character Cyborg to the Justice League roster.

Superman - Befallen by a Kryptonite bullet!

Superman - Befallen by a Kryptonite bullet!

I’m digging the stylistic choices being made in these DC Animated movies.

Marvel seems more interested in the teenage market or younger (the upcoming Ultimate Spider-Man, Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, Super Hero Squad). DC continues to show reverence for it’s 70-plus-year-old properties and fans.

One fanboy gasp I made was over this version of the Hall of Doom looking more like the Hall of Justice from the Super Friends cartoon than it does a squished Darth Vader helmet!

This movie, Batman: Under the Red Hood, All-Star Superman and Justice League: New Frontier are my favorite so far and are all very different visually. This is due to the fact that the source comic materials are by different creative teams with unique voices.

I like having this variety where the resonation of the heart of the heroes rings true, though the look may be different.

Be sure to buy the Blu-Ray or rent on iTunes to get the exclusive extras available only on those formats.

BUT WAIT…THERE’S MORE! CHECK OUT LEAGUEPODCAST HERE. THEY TEAM UP WITH ROCK ON! CONCERTS & THE MIDDLE EAST DOWNSTAIRS TO BRING YOU THE RETURN OF THE PROTOMEN + MC FRONTALOT WITH WORLD IS SQUARE (SQUARE-ENIX TRIBUTE BAND) ON MONDAY APRIL 9! #NERDCORE

League of Ordinary Gentlemen Podcast #110 — “Password1″
John, Josh and Dursin return for discourse on John Carter, Comic Book Men, Walking Dead, bad passwords, and bad Amazing Spider-Man hype.


EARTH PRIME TIME: DC NEW 52 ZERO ISSUES

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Action Comics #0 - Art by Ben OliverOne year after the relaunch of the DC Universe, with many titles still holding strong through two waves of cancellations, DC breaks the flow to provide Secret Origin stories for many characters. Finally we will get a peek at the five year gap between the Flashpoint story and the first appearance of The New 52 The Justice League.

Need some comics to pull out of your backpack on the quad to impress that cute co-ed with the Scott Pilgrim vs. The WorldSharpie‘ shirt? How about sparking off that fling with a re-imagining of Clark Kent’s first years in Metropolis in Action Comics #0 or read about how Bruce Wayne got his martial arts training before becoming Batman in Detective Comics #0.

Your critical analysis of the Dark Knight Rises ending could lead to an autumnal romance brimming with nerdcore in-jokes and tokidoki hoodie snuggles.

Action Comics #0 - Art by Ben Oliver

You Don't Tug on Superman's Cape, Or Steal It! - Art by Ben Oliver

Action Comics #0 — The Boy Who Stole Superman’s Cape — Grant Morrison / Ben Oliver

Morrison’s take on Superman continues as he attempts to explain Clark’s early days after leaving Smallville. He is still in his blue jeans and boots costume, and in this version Ma and Pa Kent are no longer around. Will we find out any more about Clark’s adopted parents? I sort of doubt it, I think Morrison is saving that for the long tail of his run on the book. Or perhaps DC Editorial has broader plans for the retelling of the super origin that syncs better with next year’s blockbuster Man of Steel and the rumored Justice League movies. We are treated to fully painted art from Batwing’s Ben Oliver for issue #0.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jKWJZsjm5U

Detective Comics #0 - Art by Tony Daniel

Moar VitaCoco "Embarassing" - Detective Comics #0 - Art by Tony Daniel

Detective Comics #0 — Gregg Hurwtiz / Tony S. Daniel, Richard Friend

Ahhh … the “Old 52″. Remember those halcyon days in 2009 when artist Tony Daniel became writer for The Battle for the Cowl? Batman was decimated by Darkseid and the cowl was up for grabs. Gotham needed a Dark Knight. Tony proved himself to be a fan favorite writer, not an easy jump to make after being an artist for many years. In the New 52, it was no surprise that Daniel was tapped to helm the flagship DC title at #1. After 12 issues, Tony’s last Batbook for a while will be drawing Issue #0 when Dark Knight writer Gregg Hurwitz. John Layman (of our favorite Image Book, CHEW) takes over the writing on Detective on issue #13.

Green Lantern #0 - Art by Doug Mahnke

Alright, have a Green Lantern party now! Green Lantern #0 - Art by Doug Mahnke

Green Lantern #0 — Geoff Johns / Doug Mahnke

Geoff Johns is always making his mark on the comic industry with universe-spanning concepts. By introducing different colored Lantern Corps and consulting on the Ryan Reynolds big screen version of the Green Lantern, the Corps have never been more important to the DC Universe. Introduced for the first time in Issue #0 today is Lebanese American Simon Baz as the newest member of the Green Lantern Corps.

The Phantom Stranger #0 - Art by Brett Anderson

L'Étranger - The Phantom Stranger #0 - Art by Brett Anderson

Phantom Stranger #0 — Dan DiDio /  Brett Anderson

The Phantom Stranger is the paranormal Watcher of the DC Universe. DC Co-publisher Dan DiDio’s New 52 OMAC was short-lived but popular among fans with his Jack Kirby reverence and nods to the Silver Age. Going back to older characters is a one of his strong suits. His Metal Men story in the Wednesday Comics anthology was a highlight of the series. Unlike the previous books we’ve highlighted, The Phantom Stranger #0 acts as the launch of a new monthly series.

Among other titles hitting the stores today are Batwing #0, Earth 2 #0, Animal Man #0 and Swamp Thing #0. Your favorite Aquaman, Wonder Woman, Birds of Prey, Batgirl and Catwoman all get the same treatment later in the month. The Number 0 initiative does provide an interesting break for the publisher, and some would say a double dip. For those unaware of the relaunch, here’s a brand new opportunity to get into the stores to see what all the buzz is about. Marvel’s paying attention and countering with the similar Marvel Now reboot starting in October. The comic market stays the same as much as it changes. Now is a good time to get caught up with your favorite storys and trade paperbacks of the New 52 if one of these Zero issues piques your interest.

We are just hoping for more back story to the mysteries of the New 52, a land with familiar faces but an all new wardrobe.

The Secret Origins stories were always my favorite as a kid!

EARTH PRIME TIME: DC NEW 52 ZERO ISSUES by clay-fernald

BUT WAIT…THERE’S MORE! CHECK OUT LEAGUEPODCAST.COM — BOSTON’S COMIC BOOK AND POP CULTURE PODCAST — “Thinking about Comics since 2009″!

League of Ordinary Gentlemen Podcast Episode #126 -- The Bane Voice

Clay and Dursin rap about Spidey’s 50th anniversary, Justice League movie, and our next party!
All in the Bane Voice!
Direct Download / Mp3 Stream (opens in new window).

EARTH PRIME TIME: BEWARE THE BATMAN

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The new Batman television show Beware the Batman brings an animated Bruce Wayne and Batman back to the television screen. Historically, the Bruce Timm Batman: The Animated Series has been revered in the comic fan’s eyes, and the 2008 Batman: Brave and The Bold had a lighter, Adam-West feel to the caped crusader. The most recent incarnation is a huge paradigm shift from either of the previous series, moving from cell to computer animation, major character reinterpretations and a b-side rogue gallery. Quite possibly, this is the Man Of Steel for animated shows, driving classic fans away but perhaps appealing to a more general audience for The Dark Knight.

Comic fans fear change! From creative teams to character reboots to even the change of the paper being used on a book will spark endless debate online and at the very least fidgets and sighs. We had just gotten used to the campy and sometimes musical Batman: Brave and The Bold and even beaten the button mashing video game, all the while falling in love with that version of the swashbuckling and bearded Aquaman. In Beware The Batman there is a familiarity to the dark tones in both Batman: The Animated Series and The Dark Knight Trilogy.

There are stepping stones into another territory for longtime fans of The Bat in the new series that may endear you to it or have you check yourself into Arkham, driven mad by the seemingly infinite versions of Bruce Wayne and Batman.

The series is rendered in the same computer animation style as the cancelled Green Lantern Animated Series and Tron Uprising. If you can let the slick glass look of Gotham and complex architecture of Wayne Manor, The Batcave and the streets of the city wash over you (I watch on a retina MacBook) it leans toward an immersive experience. The fight scenes are well choreographed and fun to watch as the Batman clobbers the bad guys. The Batsuit owes a lot to the Nolan movies, all black, including the bat symbol, save his yellow or brass utility belt. It is a good but not great design of the Batsuit, which saddens me because I like to get excited when Bruce suits up.

Overall, the design and the computer rendering as a choice work for me with Beware The Batman, as I learn to let go of my nostalgia for cell animation and expect more of this from my heroes in the future.

Mr. Toad and Professor Pyg - Beware the Batman

Mr. Toad and Professor Pyg - Beware the Batman

The enemies in episode one are Professor Pyg and Mr. Toad, introduced by Grant Morrison in Batman and Robin. The masked freak and animal (respectively) are of the 99% and also environmental activists, seeking revenge a land deal signed by Simon Stagg and Bruce Wayne that forced many animals from their native wetlands. The Hitchcock-sounding Pyg uses kidnap and murder instead of words to resolve his issues. Toad has a sonic croak, used to break glass and knock his enemies to the ground. Batman gets involved when Alfred is kidnapped by accident (Toad mistakes him for Wayne).

Pyg and Toad drive around Gotham in a sweet steampunk Model T with a cannon in its trunk, capable of knocking out the Batmobile.

Speaking of Alfred, this is a very different butler than we’ve seen on screen before but is nearly identical to the version Geoff Johns wrote in Batman Earth One last year. DC is once again pulling together highlights of many storylines and interpretations of Batman to form yet another version for kids to grow up with.

Our Alfred here and in Earth One is an ex-spy of MI-6, a trained bodyguard and hand to hand combat veteran.

One can assume he is younger than our Michael Caine, but does reference taking care of Bruce after his parents died. Bruce struggles to maintain his identity as Batman as a separate person, with his nocturnal risks not affecting his daytime affairs. The conflict in this episode revolves around Alfred convincing him that this is not the case. By the end, Alfred has hired a Robin stand-in, sidekick Katana (who stars in her own New 52 book). I’m all about the female sidekick but ummm, what’s wrong with Batman and Robin?

Everyone’s getting all Wertham in this day and age. Let Batman and Robin get married, it’s a free country!

Besides, Damien Wayne, Batman’s son (though it would take some explaining) was a great Robin. Shouldn’t he be, I don’t know…in the new cartoon?

Alfred and Batman - Beware the Batman

Alfred and Batman - Beware the Batman

When Pyg and Toad trap Alfred, Stagg and Michael Holt, the prisoners are hunted à la The Most Dangerous Game. Batman saves the day of course, but Alfred gets to use his fighting skills to help out.

All of the press leading up to the release of the series promises that we won’t be seeing traditional Batman villains, but lesser known rogues. What I hope for as a comic fan is deep cut references to rare Batman stories and the introduction of Outsiders beyond Katana. For us dyed in the wool fans, this will be the hook that keeps us coming back week after week, adjusting to the new look of the show and watching Alfred kick some ass.

It should be noted who Batman is! Anthony Ruivivar (Southland/Banshee) voices Batman/Bruce Wayne. Voices for DC Animated are still directed by Andrea Romano.

He’s a great fit, and his Batman one-liners rival Bale’s ability to strike fear into the hearts of men.

We’re looking forward to watching this season as the only current DC animated television offering. Hopefully Young Justice will come back, or something equally as good to join The Dark Knight on the small screen.

Magpie and Batman in Beware the Batman

Magpie and Batman in Beware the Batman

League of Ordinary Gentlemen Podcast Episode #158 – League-Poop-Cast
This week, spoiler-laden reviews of Beware the Batman, Sheltered #1, Lazarus #1, and olde toilets.

Direct Download / Mp3 Stream (opens in new window).

THIS SUNDAY, JULY 21
MIDDLE EAST UPSTAIRS
LEAGUEPODCAST PRESENTS:
BR1GHT PR1MATE (CHIPTUNE/CHIPMUSIC/FUTUREPOP)
ACTIVE KNOWLEDGE (CHIPTUNE)
THE WORLD IS SQUARE (SQUARESOFT/ENIX VGM FOLK BAND)
DJ CUTMAN (VIDEO GAME MUSIC/CHIPTUNE/ELECTRO/HOUSE)
ROLLY MINGWALD (’80S EVERYTHING, CT)
18+ $9 ADVANCE /
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EARTH PRIME TIME: JUSTICE LEAGUE: THE FLASHPOINT PARADOX

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The most recent Justice League animated movie stars the Scarlett Speedster—The Flash against his most formidable foe, Reverse-Flash (Professor Zoom). Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox (July 30, 2013 release date) is an adaptation of the Flashpoint graphic novel from 2011, the precursor to The New 52 reboot of the DC Universe. Barry Allen awakes powerless to find his world is different and there is a disturbance in the Speed Force. He seeks the help of an unfamiliar Batman to right the world. The question remains—is this movie the end of story adaptations for the old continuity? Signs are pointing to yes, as the sequel of sorts, a post-New 52 tale, Justice League: War has already been announced.

The Flash/Barry Allen (voiced by Justin Chambers) certainly has what it takes to star in his own animated feature. He’s even had a two-season archive of a ’90s live action show with an art-deco backdrop of Central City (complete with DC Animation favorite Mark Hamill appearing as Flash rogue The Trickster). The Flashpoint Paradox sets up a key Barry Allen life event as the ‘Butterfly Effect,’ or as seen in 2009′s Star Trek, the nadir of a divergent timeline. Based on Geoff Johns’ (DC Entertainment’s Chief Creative Officer) book of the same name, Flashpoint splits when Barry uses the speed force to go back in time to save his mother from a senseless murder after a break-in.

Confused? That’s OK. Flashpoint was set up from the company’s initiative to reset all of the DC heroes, and also rejuvenate the characters with familiar but new origins in The New 52.

In order to start fresh, they opted for this Reverse-Flash vs. Flash story, creating The New 52 continuity from quantum strings and vague memories from Barry Allen of the way things used to be.

The real meat of the story is in the divergent timeline, as Barry wakes up drooling on his desk at Central City Police Department, warned by his computer that the end is nigh. He runs outside to see his very much alive mother, with whom he has dinner plans with. Reverse-Flash Eobard Thawne is responsible somehow for traveling back from his time in the 25th century to create this new world.

Flash - Barry Allen from Flashpoint Paradox

Flash - Barry Allen from Flashpoint Paradox

The Flashpoint universe has some familiar faces, but they act very differently here.

The movie distills not only the main Flashpoint graphic novel, but also over 50 crossover comics into one 2 hour movie!

Barry makes his way to where he thinks he can get the most help, Wayne Manor. There in the unkept mansion he is confronted by a Batman with a five-o-clock shadow, carrying a flask. After fisticuffs, Barry proves himself to this Batman who turns out to be Thomas Wayne (Kevin McKidd)!

In this world, the fates were reversed, Bruce was killed in Crime Alley, and Gotham’s Dark Knight was formulated.

On the flip side of that coin, the loss of her son was too much to bear, and Martha Wayne descends into becoming Batman’s most feared enemy. Dr. Thomas Wayne twice recreates the ‘Back to the Future’ lightning strike to give Barry back his powers, the second one sticks, and Flash can use the Speed Force to try to get back home.

Flashpoint Knight of Vengence #3 -  Dave Johnson

Flashpoint Knight of Vengence #3 - Dave Johnson

The reason the world is about to end in this reality is a war between two other heavy hitters in the DCU, Wonder Woman (Vanessa Marshall) and Emperor Aquaman (Cary Elwes). The ex-lovers both are attempting to take over the world as New Themyscira (United Kingdom) is to clash with Aquaman’s Atlantis foothold in Europe. The grudge is worsened by Wonder Woman having killed Aquaman’s wife, Mera.

Aquaman - Flashpoint Paradox

Aquaman - Flashpoint Paradox

Where’s Clark?

That’s the million dollar question. In the World of Flashpoint, the Kryptonian rocket lands right in Metropolis, and the government has hidden away the alien to study him under the banner of “Project: Superman”. The weakened Kal-El has not seen the sun to give him his powers, but with the help of Cyborg (Michael Bakari Jordan), Batman and The Flash, Kal gets his hero moment, though not as we have ever seen him before. The World of Flashpoint Featuring Superman book, co-written by Batman scribe Scott Snyder was recommended to me, and does have a great alternate version of the Superman origin worth checking out.

Subject S1 - Superman of Flashpoint Paradox

Subject S1 - Superman of Flashpoint Paradox

Director Jay Oliva (Batman: The Dark Knight Returns) and voice director Andrea Romano return with Kevin Conroy (Bruce Wayne/Batman), Sam Daly (Son of Tim Daly, voice of Superman:TAS), Nathan Fillion (Green Lantern) and Ron Perlman (Deathstroke). The crossover from the old universe to the New 52 works as a bridge between the conflicting continuities.

My review of Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox is mostly favorable with some notable criticisms. Why bother explaining all of this to the mainstream crowd? Most comic fans accept the New 52 as the status quo, and sat through—for better or for worse—months of strange Elseworlds books denying us of our favorite titles. A fun exercise in rebooting the universe, for sure, that allowed certain creators, most notably Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Russo (Flashpoint: Batman) to tell some compelling stories and flip the script on 75 year old stories.

With Flashpoint: Paradox setting the stage for New 52 animated features—something I have been looking forward to, by the way—is DC going to shut the door on the great stories left in the past?

I worry about this being a starting point to reboot the relatively young DC Animated Universe. Please let us have some more fun with Elseworlds tales (Superman: Red Son), a Vertigo movie or goddamn it, an All-Star Batman and Robin movie if that is the case.

The next animated feature is an adaptation of the first 6 issues of Geoff Johns and Jim Lee’s New 52 Justice League title, called Justice League: War.

JUSTICE LEAGUE: THE FLASHPOINT PARADOX is available on major platforms, iTunes, Amazon, DVD and Blu-Ray on July 30.

League of Ordinary Gentlemen Podcast #159 — “I Agree With You!”
All 4 Gents convene for SDCC fall-out, the Batman/Superman movie news, The Walking Dead trailer and the possibility that Mary Jane may be a woman! Or… a man!

Direct Download / Mp3 Stream (opens in new window).

HOMEBOY SANDMAN AT CHURCH 8/4

HOMEBOY SANDMAN AT CHURCH 8/4

SUNDAY 8.4.13
LEAGUEPODCAST & ROCKONCONCERTS PRESENT: THE DEAR HUNTER TOUR
CHURCH 
HOMEBOY SANDMAN (STONES THROW RECORDS)
OPEN MIKE EAGLE, MEGA RAN (CAPCOM)
H.W., ELEMENTAL ZAZEN, CLINICAL

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EARTH PRIME TIME: BOSTON COMIC CON WITH NICK KANIEFF (PART 1)

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Boston Comic Con has been rescheduled for this weekend, August 3-4, at The Seaport World Trade Center. Founder Nick Kanieff joins us for a two part interview about the challenges of moving this great independent comic book show and the incredible growth Boston Con has seen since its first years. The Boston comics community was looking forward to the show in April, and now are even more ready to get together this summer as a celebration of comic books and pop culture at the rescheduled date and venue.

DIGBOSTON: Can you tell me how you started running this show?
NICK KANIEFF: We had our first show in 2007. I had been a collector most of my life. I got to a point where I decided to sell my collection. I had some good friends that ran a comic book store, I asked them the best way to liquidate the collection, they suggested a combination of eBay and going to Cons and setting up as a vendor. There is a little show that’s been run here for 15 years. I set up there, was selling my comics and I noticed that it was a small show and the vendors were unhappy. It wasn’t what I remember as a kid. I remember there was an electricity in the air. It was crowded with people, it was colorful. It was a huge trading floor, it was a stock exchange with so much excitement. I started poking around, how come Boston doesn’t have a major comic book convention? No one could give me a good common sense answer to that question.

If I could start a show and bring back the magic, the allure, the electricity that I felt as a kid, then this thing can go through the roof.

I did just that. I started the show in 2007 at the Back Bay Events Center with 900 attendees. Three-four times the amount of the existing show, that had been there for 15 years.

The show has gone from 900 people to last year’s 10,000. We moved from Back Bay Events Center to The Hynes. Unfortunately, the Boston Marathon tragedy happened and we postponed and rescheduled to The Seaport. Our estimated attendance for 2013 is between 12-15,000 people.

It’s just gotten bigger and better and we are now nationally recognized and ranked and a show people come to from all over the country.

We’re putting Boston back on the map as a major city that has a major comic book convention for fans that deserve it. Boston deserves a well-run, big comic book convention. We’ve hopefully given that to them. My goal at the end of the day is to put on the best show that I can. The way I know that I’m successful is if the fans, the vendors, and the artists all walk away saying we had a great time, a lot of fun, we made some money and that was the best show I’ve ever been too.

I just want to make it bigger and bigger and better.

That’s great. I’ve been going since 2009, and each of the Cons keeps getting bigger and bigger — to the benefit of the Con. There was plenty of space, and lots of happy people last year. I have just as good a time at Boston as I do at New York.
That’s the barometer, when a fan like yourself says that, I know we are doing our job right.

From a logistical standpoint, after the bombings, you had to move the venue and the date. Anything you want to say about the rescheduling of your guests?
A lot of people don’t realize what goes into putting on a show of this size. There is a lot of balls in the air, a lot of logistics. What I would like to say, going back to the unfortunate events, going on around the Boston Marathon is that we received unbelievable, overwhelming support from all of our guests. Eighty percent of the guests were able to come back, and those that couldn’t expressed disappointment and were apologetic. If they couldn’t come back, it was for a family event scheduled.

Ninety percent of the fans who bought tickets online didn’t ask for a refund. They are coming back.

That’s so great!
It’s been unbelievable. Again, it shows how people can come together. I’m proud to be putting on a show in the city of Boston. Bostonians have been amazingly strong and resilient. People in the comic book industry as well. For all the wrong reasons, I guess, Boston Con was the most talked about Convention in the country this year.

This is the only convention in the history of conventions to be postponed by a terrorist attack.

Tim Sale (Batman/Superman) exclusive T-Shirt for Boston Con 2013

Tim Sale (Batman/Superman) exclusive T-Shirt for Boston Con 2013

People reached out. In addition to the guests that are coming down, we were inundated with more superstar comic creator guests that wanted to come to the rescheduled show to show support for the City of Boston.

I went to Anime Boston and Boston Calling. It is just amazing to go to events like that and to Boston Comic Con just to be with a large group of people—it just feels so good. To have the comic book community be surrounded by a general good vibe is just amazing.
The people have been unbelievably compassionate, sensitive and understanding. I really can’t say enough about the fans, the guests, the celebrities, everyone has been just so supportive.

Fantastic Four #1 - Cover by Mark Bagley (Marvel NOW!)

Fantastic Four #1 - Cover by Mark Bagley (Marvel NOW!) - Mark Bagley is a featured guest at the Con

We can talk about that weekend in April too, because there was some really cool stuff going on. A lot of people said, “Hey, we’re here,” let’s have a pop-up convention, come to my hotel room to pick up your commission sketches. We’re not just packing up and not doing anything.
Thank you for reminding me of that. That week, we were on, we were off. It was like a yo-yo. No fault to anyone, the venue was receiving information from law enforcement as were the surrounding hotels and businesses. As you know, the Hynes was right there at Ground Zero. As of Wednesday, everything was on, Thursday, everything was on. Friday morning you wake up, all hell was breaking loose. At that point, my guests were arriving from all over the country. Ultimately, we didn’t get the word until 5pm Friday that the Convention was off for the weekend.

These guys rallied, and got together and went to a bunch of local comic book shops and signed autographs, did sketches for the fans.

We had Boston Comic Con staff members go out with Boston Comic Con t-shirts. It was great, amazing.

People were coming together in the face of tragedy to bring some kind of light, some kind of hope, some kind of joy to mitigate the disappointment.

A lot of fans wanted to go on with the show. Unfortunately, it was out of our control.

Batman and Aquaman from Neal Adams Batman: Odyssey

Batman and Aquaman from Neal Adams Batman: Odyssey - Neal Adams is a featured guest at the Con

I woke up that Friday morning at 5am. There was on the radio that they were in pursuit of the two suspects. I said to myself, if they capture the suspects by noon, the city will erupt in celebration and Boston Comic Con will go on. I said if they don’t catch these guys by 5pm—we’re screwed. And that’s the way it went. But everything happens for a reason.

All I can say is that we were just lucky that the worse thing that happened to the Boston Comic Con is that the show was postponed, there was some inconvenience, and some loss of money.

It could be a lot worse; no one got hurt at Boston Comic Con.

Exactly, and one thing is that we get to celebrate and get together when everyone has a little bit of space from it too. We come back in the middle of the summer, everyone gets to party and hang out.
That’s absolutely right.

This is a true celebration, there is no question about it.

Tomorrow, check out Part 2 HERE! of our UNABRIDGED interview with Nick Kanieff in anticipation of Boston Comic Con this weekend!

Boston Comic Con!
New Location – Seaport World Trade Center. SAT August 3 and Sunday August 4

SAT 8/3 – LUCKY’S LOUNGE (6-9PM):
LeaguePodcast Boston Comic Con After-Party 4.1
Facebook Event

SAT 8/3 – BOSTON COMIC CON PANEL – Neal Adams’ Secrets of The Silver Age – 12pm–12:45pm (MOD: Stefan Blitz, Forces of Geek)
Facebook Event
SAT 8/3 – BOSTON COMIC CON PANEL – Writing Comics – 5pm-5:45pm: Steve Niles, Frank Tieri, Tom Sniegoski  (MOD: Stefan Blitz, Forces of Geek)
SUN 8/4 – BOSTON COMIC CON – ALL AGES COMICS PANEL – Waterfront Room – All Ages Comics – 11am-11:45am Shelli Paroline, Don Rosa, Maris Wicks  (MOD: Clay N. Ferno, DigBoston)
SUN 8/4 – BOSTON COMIC CON – MIGHTY MARVEL PANEL – Marvel Comics – Mark Bagley, Mike Choi, David Mack, Brandon Peterson (MOD: Clay N. Ferno, DigBoston)

Thanks to you from your pals at DigBoston, LeaguePodcast, Forces of Geek and Boston Comic Con.

League of Ordinary Gentlemen Podcast #159 — “I Agree With You!”
All 4 Gents convene for SDCC fall-out, the Batman/Superman movie news, The Walking Dead trailer and the possibility that Mary Jane may be a woman! Or… a man!

Direct Download / Mp3 Stream (opens in new window).

Homeboy Sandman (Stone's Throw) at Church 8/4

Homeboy Sandman (Stone's Throw) at Church 8/4

SUNDAY 8.4.13
LEAGUEPODCAST & ROCKONCONCERTS PRESENT: THE DEAR HUNTER TOUR
CHURCH
HOMEBOY SANDMAN (STONES THROW RECORDS)
OPEN MIKE EAGLE, MEGA RAN (CAPCOM)
H.W., ELEMENTAL ZAZEN, CLINICAL, PRETENSILE

TIXFACEBOOK EVENT

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EARTH PRIME TIME: BOSTON COMIC CON WITH NICK KANIEFF (PART 2)

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Boston Comic Con has been rescheduled for this weekend, August 3-4, at The Seaport World Trade Center. Founder Nick Kanieff joins us for the epic conclusion of our two part interview (Part One HERE) about the challenges of moving this great independent comic book show and the incredible growth Boston Con has seen since its first years.

The Boston comics community was looking forward to the show in April, and now are even more ready to get together this summer as a celebration of comic books and pop culture at the rescheduled date and venue.

DIGBOSTON: We have portfolio reviews, cosplay contests. Is there anything you are looking forward to as an event organizer?
NICK KANIEFF:
The ongoing joke is that as the organizer I never get to enjoy my own show. I’m really excited this year about the original art auction. We had our first art auction last year and a portion of the proceeds goes to the Mike Wieringo Foundation, a scholarship for aspiring comic book artists to attend a program at the Savannah College of Art & Design. Our first art auction was very successful.

This year we are still donating to that particular charity and we are also donating to The One Fund.

Once we put that out there to the artist’s community, the support was overwhelming. People that would not normally donate to an art auction—there aren’t that many of them in the comic book convention world (Heroes Con, Baltimore Comic Con, and us)—probably because we are the three conventions that are considered more comic book purist and comic art driven shows. Mike Mignola (Hellboy) said “I am putting a piece of original art at your auction.” That’s gigantic. Mike Mignola’s huge and his art goes for tons of money. Everybody is stepping up to the plate, so I have a feeling the art auction is particularly huge this year.

The Amazing Screw-On Head - Mike Mignola

The Amazing Screw-On Head - Mike Mignola

We have the costume contest, every year that gets bigger and bigger and bigger. The cosplay community keeps getting bigger and bigger and bigger.

I’ve been to Anime Boston and I scratch my head because it’s all cosplay. It’s a social event. There’s not a lot going on, but it is a huge social event.

It’s mindblowing to me how big the cosplay community really is. That’s always exciting. 
We have IDW showing up as a publisher this year. That’s pretty cool. We’ve got a Magic the Gathering tournament going on.

DC Comics and IDW will be doing portfolio reviews for you aspiring comic book artists out there. We’ve got our exclusive Boston Comic Con t-shirt by Tim Sale. We have our exclusive My Little Pony Boston Comic Con variant comic (Agnes Garbowska) – limited to 1000 copies.

My Little Pony Exclusive Cover at Boston Comic Con 2013 - Agnes Garbowska

My Little Pony Exclusive Cover at Boston Comic Con 2013 - Exclusive! Agnes Garbowska

Of course we have cool celebrity guests coming, Laurie Holden (Walking Dead), True Blood’s Kristin Bauer. People seem to be going ga-ga over our two Hobbit guests, Aidan Turner and Dean O’Gorman (Kili and Fili in The Hobbit). Especially, the lady fans are going nuts.

Of course we have vendors from all over the country selling new and old comic books and toys and posters and collectibles. There’s a great assortment of comic creators from George Perez to Mike Mignola to Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodrigues—the co-creators of Locke & Key, which is an independent comic set in Boston that was just optioned for a feature film.

Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodrigues only do one comic book convention a year, and that’s San Diego. They both did not go to San Diego this year and tweeted out to all of their fans they were headed to Boston over San Diego.

Do you feel like Boston Comic Con, to parallel this to the comic book industry itself, do you feel like an indie publisher? Do you feel like you are an Image Comics as opposed to San Diego and New York being the bigger shows that are more like Marvel and DC?
That’s a really good analogy and I never thought of it that way but I think you are right. Again, we try to set ourselves as a comic book purist show. Originally, I wanted to bring back the magic of the old school comic book convention. You’ve seen that disappear quite a bit. The fans have spoken with wanting celebrity guests, which is new for us, but I have made the strategic decision this will remain a core comic book convention, comic art driven show, and the celebrity guests that I bring in will be a compliment.

I’m not going to bring in 30 B-Level celebrity guests and turn this into a nostalgia show. You aren’t going to see The Brady Bunch cast at Boston Comic Con.

You aren’t going to see wrestlers, strippers, Playboy Bunnies. What we bring in will be main cast members from TV shows and movies in the following related genres: Comic Books, Fantasy, Sci-Fi and Horror. That is it.

We’re bringing in a main cast member from Walking Dead and True Blood, we’re bringing in main cast members from The Hobbit. I’ll probably limit to a half a dozen celebrity guests a year tops. They will be the cream of the crop, and will be related to the theme.

Celebrity Guests For Boston Comic Con 2013

Celebrity Guests For Boston Comic Con 2013 - Laurie Holden, Aidan Turner and Dean O'Gorman, Kristen Bauer,

We are like the Image, the IDW, hopefully in the next couple of years we’ll be Dark Horse. Will we ever be as big as San Diego or New York? In my dreams, yes. Highly unlikely. San Diego, as you are probably aware, they bring in 300,000 people, it’s a week long event. The reason it becomes that large is that Hollywood has taken it over. It is really not a comic book convention per se, but a media show.

You need to have that ‘One’ touchstone.
That’s the big one, that’s where the deals are made, that’s the Hollywood show. That’s where you see Robert Downey, Jr., Christian Bale. You aren’t going to see celebrities like that at anywhere else but SDCC.

New York is the second biggest show in the country and it is still at third of the size.

Would I like to be #3? Sure! I’ll attempt to keep Boston on the map without compromising the quality or integrity of the show.

We’ll continue to stick to our vision and our mantra.

When I was a kid, comic books were an underground thing. Now, because of the movie industry, they are mainstream. They are in everyone’s household. Everyone knows the characters. If I had said to the regular person on the street five or six years ago, “Who’s Iron Man?”, they would have said, “What are you talking about?”.

Now their kids have Iron Man swimsuits at the pool!
Now Iron Man, Captain America and Thor are household names. Ten years ago, the average Joe on the street knew Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and maybe Spider-Man.

These movies keep getting bigger and bigger and bigger. Disney acquired Marvel and have a huge marketing machine behind them. As you know, Time Warner owns DC. This is big big big business. There are more and more and more and more fans. You take these characters, they have an animated TV show, a live action feature film, video games, toys, it never ends. These are huge franchises, a giant money making machine.

Comic books are mainstream now.

Maybe you have a better answer for my friend. Can kids come?
Absolutely, this is a family show. Kids under the age of 10 get in free. There is nothing risqué or in bad taste or offensive to children. Our programming is all family related.

Families should bring their kids and kids should partake in the costume contest.

Every year, we have tons of kids in costume, and we have special prizes for the kids.

Tickets still available online, you can buy them at the door, you may have to wait in line.

This is a reminder we are at the Seaport Trade Center on Saturday and Sunday!

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT … PART ONE HERE: EARTH PRIME TIME: BOSTON COMIC CON WITH NICK KANIEFF (PART 1)

Boston Comic Con!
New Location – Seaport World Trade Center. SAT August 3 and Sunday August 4

SAT 8/3 – LUCKY’S LOUNGE (6-9PM):
LeaguePodcast Boston Comic Con After-Party 4.1
Facebook Event

SAT 8/3 – BOSTON COMIC CON PANEL – Neal Adams’ Secrets of The Silver Age – 12pm–12:45pm (MOD: Stefan Blitz, Forces of Geek)
Facebook Event
SAT 8/3 – BOSTON COMIC CON PANEL – Writing Comics – 5pm-5:45pm: Steve Niles, Frank Tieri, Tom Sniegoski (MOD: Stefan Blitz, Forces of Geek)
SUN 8/4 – BOSTON COMIC CON – ALL AGES COMICS PANEL – Waterfront Room – All Ages Comics – 11am-11:45am Shelli Paroline, Don Rosa, Maris Wicks (MOD: Clay N. Ferno, DigBoston)
SUN 8/4 – BOSTON COMIC CON – MIGHTY MARVEL PANEL – Marvel Comics – Mark Bagley, Mike Choi, David Mack, Brandon Peterson (MOD: Clay N. Ferno, DigBoston)

Thanks to you from your pals at DigBoston, LeaguePodcast, Forces of Geek and Boston Comic Con.

League of Ordinary Gentlemen Podcast #160 —”The Party-Prep Podcast!”
Josh and Dursin gather in Josh’s living room to get ready for Boston Comic-Con, and our after-party! Plus, The Wolverine, Age of Ultron, and we talk in high voices. How can you not listen?

Direct Download / Mp3 Stream (opens in new window).

TUES. 8/6  - Musiquestria - My Little Pony Music Tour - Middle East Up - 5:30pm All Ages

TUES. 8/6 - Musiquestria - My Little Pony Music Tour - Middle East Up - 5:30pm All Ages

[TUESDAY 8.6.13 | MIDDLE EAST UPSTAIRS
LEAGUEPODCAST PRESENTS
MUSIQUESTRIA TOUR
8 BRONY MUSICIANS]
SILVA HOUND, F3NNING, BEJOTY, TARBY, PONI1KENOBI, REPLACER, DONN DEVORE, AUTOMATIC JACK
ALL AGES $10 ADVANCE /
$12 DAY OF SHOW
*NOTE: 5:30pm Doors

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EARTH PRIME TIME: THE WATCHER’S LOOK AT BOSTON COMIC CON

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This past weekend, citizens of Earth Prime finally got their Boston Comic Con at The Seaport World Trade Center. After much anticipation, the show was a glaring success for the fans, promoters, organizers and vendors. I am Uatu, The Watcher. I have taken an oath to aid humanity and monitor key points in human history without interfering. Here just some of the events happening at Boston on Saturday and Sunday, for us Watchers to study.

Boston Comic Con is angling to be a major independent comic book show in the country, and even after a reschedule and change of venue, founder Nick Kanieff has his target on being the number #3 show in the country behind touchstone San Diego Comic Con and New York Comic Con. If what I have seen from this past weekend is any indication, they may just make it. From the long entry lines, to the elaborate cosplay, to the amazing panel artists and guests the Beantown nerd and geek culture crowd uproariously rejoiced, seemingly forgetting about the unfortunate events of the Marathon Bombings in April that caused the show to move.

Observe! Boston Comic Con Fans Fanning Out on Fan Pier

Observe! Boston Comic Con Fans Fanning Out on Fan Pier

As The Watcher, I’ve seen some things. but never have I seen a line for tickets in Boston for something other than October baseball.

Nick Kanieff’s initial attendance prediction of 12,000—15,000 people was exceeded, and with a venue three times the size of The Hynes, one wonders if this is the best spot for the convention in 2014.

But I am just an observer, sworn not in interfere with my cosmic juju.

"Go Ahead, Baldy!" - Spidey Wisecracks to The Watcher

"Go Ahead, Baldy!" - Spidey Wisecracks to The Watcher

Even heroes I know from New York, like this Spider-Man were there to help the carnage get in the door. He let me float past, because I am the Watcher and showed him my purple wristband.

I told him I was here to observe, he did not seem to care!

Neal Adams - Secrets of the Silver Age with Stefan Blitz from Forces Of Geek

Neal Adams - Secrets of the Silver Age with Stefan Blitz from Forces Of Geek

This first day, I sat nearly in the back of the room to listen to the sometimes sardonic iconic Batman Artist Neal Adams as he told Secrets of The Silver Age with friend Stefan Blitz from Forces of Geek moderating.

He regaled the crowd with his stories of bugging editor Julie Schwartz about drawing Batman in the ’70s.

Neal’s stories were only partly true, I know, I am The Watcher. Julie Schwartz was not the shadowy hairy beast depicted in his telling. But I let it go, for I am The Watcher. I observe.

Artist Ming Doyle as Jubilee of The X-Men

Artist Ming Doyle as Jubilee of The X-Men

Moving back out to the Con floor I spent the requisite amount of time popping over to Artist’s Alley where I ran into an alternate version of Jubilee from this Earth, comic book artist Ming Doyle! I did not ask her what she was doing dressed as an X-Man, though I know the answer. I am not allowed to interfere with the X-Men timeline, they are doing enough damage on their own.

But I am like Super Fitness. “No Judgment Zone” here from The Watcher!

Part of my observations of the two days requires me to spend at least $50 on $5 trade paperbacks from some of the kind vendors there.They all said the same thing…”Don’t you know this stuff already”? To which my reply was, “Do you thing Hawking doesn’t have copies of the books he’s written on the shelves in his house?” The vendors wouldn’t give me an additional discount because of my omnipresence, but as I say, I will be observing their customer service for years to come.

I’ll get a free omnibus someday!

The LeaguePodcast after party at Lucky’s Lounge on Saturday was fun at first, until I kept getting seated with the wedding party in the next room.

Apparently The Watcher and the Bride were dressed similarly in Vera Wang.

They did not let me party with the comic book friends, but I was able to observe the Gents being gracious and running a costume contest of their own!

After getting my 5 hours of sleep on the Blue Area of Earth’s Moon, I floated down, past the line (purple wristband) and Spidey on Sunday. This time, he got me with some web on the back of my head as I was confidently strolling through the crowd. I do not seek revenge, for I am The Watcher.

ALL AGES PANEL - Waterfront Room - All Ages Comics - 11am-11:45am Shelli Paroline, Don Rosa, Maris Wicks [MODERATED BY CLAY N. FERNO (LeaguePodcast)]

All Ages Comics with Shelli Paroline, Maris Wicks, Don Rosa and Clay N. Ferno (LeaguePodcast) as Moderator

The first panel of the day was All Ages Comics Panel with friends of DigBoston Maris Wicks (Primates, Yes, Let’s) and Shelli Paroline (Adventure Time and Boston Comic Con variant Superman & Fionna cover!) teamed up with comics legend Don Rosa, known primarily for his work on Donald Duck and The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck.

It was an amazing panel going in depth on collaboration vs. working solo and that All Ages Comics does not mean ‘For Kids” necessarily.

Young kids were there in costume as well as their parents, and scholars and fans of Mr. Rosa’s work. I could tell that Dig writer Clay N. Ferno was disguised as Nick Fury as the panel mod, but again. No Judgment. Observing.

Mike Mignola Q & A with Clay N. Ferno of LeaguePodcast

Mike Mignola Q & A with Clay N. Ferno of LeaguePodcast

Mr. N. Ferno was caught off guard by ‘having’ to introduce Hellboy and Amazing Screw-On Head creator Mike Mignola at the next panel, but he did so graciously as I observed that there are no plans for a Hellboy 3 and Mike announced that Hellboy in Hell goes to Asia in an upcoming story arc.

People seem to like Mike Mignola. Because he is amazing and created Hellboy.

People seem to like Mike Mignola. Because he is amazing and created Hellboy.

The next panel of the day was right up my alley, because I need to know what the deal is with Marvel NOW! I do not mean the branding, I mean Marvel, right now. “That’s my Job“, as Mad Men’s Ken Cosgrove would say. I’m kind of the guy that watches over the Marvel Universe, you know. It can’t hurt for me to look a little into the future by listening to Marvel artists and writers at the Mighty Marvel Panel. Mark Bagley (Ultimate Spider-Man, Fantastic Four) was joined by Mike Choi (X-Men, X-23), David Mack (Daredevil), Brandon Peterson (Avengers, Age of Ultron) and the panel was moderated again by pseudo-Nick Fury Clay N. Ferno.

Mark Bagley (Ultimate Spider-Man, Fantastic Four), Mike Choi (X-Men), David Mack (Daredevil), Brandon Peterson (Avengers, Age of Ultron) - Moderated by Clay N. Ferno of DigBoston

Brandon Peterson, Mike Choi, Mark Bagley, David Mack at Mighy Marvel Panel - Moderated by Clay N. Ferno

I was able to peek into the future to find out that a sequel to NYT bestselling Daredevil: End of Days is in the works with possible Old Man Punisher.

Also, Brandon Peterson hinted at an Age of Ultron sequel is being plotted and even more exciting is that Brandon joins the rotating art team on All New X-Men. Very exciting news there, I love those books, I mean those guys, both X-Men teams that is. Just Watchin’ from here.

Bagley says Brilliant is still behind schedule but looks forward to drawing new Ultimate Spider-Man Miles Morales in the 616 in an upcoming story.

I see all things, and this Con was Ultimate. Ultimate fun, the top talent in the industry, (including Bat-folk Tony Daniel and Scott Snyder) along with celebrity guests that even I, as the Watcher get a chance to see like Laurie Holden (The Walking Dead), Kristen Bauer (True Blood) alongside Dean O’Gorman and Aiden Turner from The Hobbit made this convention the best one yet for Boston. I hope to observe Nick Kanieff and his team at work next year, and perhaps LeaguePodcast will let me sit at their table (“Nah” – Ed.).

Back to The Moon for me, but not until I share with you a Con-related announcement from President of LeaguePodcast, Matt Dursin, a person I stole a fry from at the Lucky’s Lounge party. Dursin himself used the Boston Con as a springboard to bring his Robin Hood: Outlaw of the 21st Century #1 comic out of his head and into reality with the human concept of Kickstarter. As The Watcher, I am not allowed to give money to this creator because that is interfering. Just pointing stuff out here, ‘The Watcher’, you guys. His twist on the modern day update of the Robin Hood tale where the outlaw steals medical supplies and gives to those in need.

I can say, by observing the original Robin Hood, this one is way more righteous.

Dursin has a limited time to raise the cash so check out the video and Kickstarter page. Next on this column — an in-depth interview with the man himself!

Black Widow Stacey Rizoli (of S.H.I.E.L.D.) and Nick Fury Clay N. Ferno her boss.

Black Widow Stacey Rizoli (of S.H.I.E.L.D./Dig Boston Boston Con Panel Photos) and Nick Fury Clay N. Ferno her boss. 616!

League of Ordinary Gentlemen Podcast #159 — “I Agree With You!”
All 4 Gents convene for SDCC fall-out, the Batman/Superman movie news, The Walking Dead trailer and the possibility that Mary Jane may be a woman! Or… a man!

Direct Download / Mp3 Stream (opens in new window).

UPCOMING EVENTS

MAC LETHAL 2013

MAC LETHAL 2013

THU 9/5
BOWERY BOSTON & LEAGUE PODCAST PRESENT
TT THE BEARS
MAC LETHAL
H.W. & DJ EMOH BETTA
8:30pm DOORS

Email Feedback@LeaguePodcast.com for a chance to win tickets. Tell us your favorite pancake topping.

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ADAPTATION NATION: GREEN LANTERN

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Can we just agree Ryan Reynolds wasn’t meant to be a superhero and move on with our lives?

SPOILER ALERT IF YOU HAVEN’T SEEN THE MOVIE OR READ THE COMICS!

The majority of the movie’s plot is taken from Geoff John’s Green Lantern: Secret Origins, with some aspects taken from other parts of Green Lantern history, and some parts pulled out of an asshole. You know, the usual superhero movie. They laid the foundation correctly, having a young Hal Jordan witness his dad die in a plane crash. But things dramatically veer off track once we get to the villains.

Let’s start with Hector Hammond.

He is the embodiment of every negative quality associated with mustaches

In the comics he’s a regular looking guy who happens to be a little creepy with the ladies, but nothing you’d call the cops about. In the movie he looks like someone you would call the cops about if he even said the word playground. In the comics he gets telepathic/telekinetic abilities after being exposed to the radioactive rock that powers Abin Sur‘s ship. In the movie he get’s infected with The Parallax‘s fear juice that has contaminated Abin Sur’s body. Both of which leave him a drooling lunatic with a giant head.

Although the movie gives him a pretty big head to begin with.

Hammond being infected with fear juice rather than rock radiation helps to neatly tie him to the other movie’s villain, The Parallax. In Green Lantern: Secret Origins, the main conflict doesn’t involve The Parallax, but rather lays the ground work for Blackest Night. But The Parallax makes a much better first villain,

because having Hal Jordan fight a literal embodiment of fear really helps drive home the subtle FDR-esk theme of the movie.

The only real issue is that instead of making it a giant yellow bug monster like it is in the comics they went with … wait for it … A FUCKING CLOUD! Clearly back before Fantastic Four 2 a very nephophobic test audience was consulted on villain concepts and we’ve been screwed ever since.

After duking it out with the giant cloud Hal Jordan takes a page from Superman’s play book and punches it into the sun. Then, once the real danger is gone, Sinestro and friends conveniently show up to grab Hal Jordan before he drifts into the sun. This makes all of us wonder why they couldn’t have gotten there five minutes earlier to help in the actual fight. Then roll credits and what’s this?

Sinestro is suddenly evil because … his name suggests he should be.



ADAPTATION NATION: JUSTICE LEAGUE WAR

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In the past I’ve gone so far as to say that the live action movie team at DC should be taken over by the animated movie team. Sadly though, while still entertaining, this was one of the weaker installments.

SPOILER ALERT IF YOU HAVEN’T SEEN THE MOVIE OR READ THE COMICS.

Aside from some weak dialogue, one of the biggest issues of the movie was it’s short run time of 80min. It felt a bit rushed, without giving a fair amount of screen time to some team member, namely The Flash. Granted, one of the great things about most DC animated movies is they know the audience knows the characters and don’t waste time on an origin story every installment. However, this plot is an origin story. Even though The Flash doesn’t need much introduction I’d still like to see him do more than pick up burritos before he throws on the suit.

Fortunately, the characters who got the most screen time were pretty done well. I especially liked the relationship between Batman and Green Lantern, which offered a lot of comic relief. Another good dynamic was between Cyborg and Captain Marvel. In the comic Aquaman was among the original seven rather than Captain Marvel, which many nerds got butthurt over. I’m personally all right with the decision because of the after credit scene promising an Atlantian surface dweller war. Hopefully this movie is done a bit better than this one.
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jlwarww3Another change getting nerd panties in a bunch is Wonder Woman’s costume design. I can only assume that there was a riot somewhere of men and women (mostly men) dressed in her original outfit, tipping shit over and starting fires. Again, I don’t know this for a fact, but I like to assume. I personally am fine with the change. People forget that over the decades that many superheroes have existed they’ve have costume changes. As long as the costume itself isn’t bad, which I don’t think this one is, it shouldn’t be a problem. I’m also very happy with how Wonder Woman was portrayed in this movie. As me and my nerd counter part, Tony McMillen, discussed on his radio show earlier this week, she’s female Thor.

The real questions I have after this movie is does it reflect what the live action movie universe has in store for us. Is this what Wonder Woman’s costume or character is going to look like? Will Captain Marvel or Cyborg make a big screen appearance anytime soon? Will DC go with Darkseid even though he looks just like Thanos whom The Avengers are getting ready to fight? These are the questions that keep me up at night and only time will answer them.

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