ménage à trois: 2/2/05

[One Marvel, one DC, both published the previous Wednesday, plus a random indie from whenever I feel like it, each reviewed quickie-style: 1 Minute=bad, 10 Minutes=good. Connections, if any at all, may be forced purely for the experience.]A light week for the big two, highlighted by the already reviewed return of the Black Panther, and solid entries from the New Avengers (#3) and Adam Strange (#5), I've decided to break format completely and review a trio of comic book magazines instead. Fanzines are a crucial aspect of any hobby and their quality, or lack thereof, is generally an indicator of…

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Review: Black Panther #1

The opening story arc is called “Who is the Black Panther” for a reason, and it is for that reason that T’Challa, the Black Panther most people know, does not appear in this issue. In fact, while writer Reginald Hudlin has said he’d be using elements of Christopher J. Priest’s critically-acclaimed, if not overwhelmingly supported, run, it seems that he’s looking to make good on his promise that “by the end of the second arc, the character will never be seen the same way again.”

So far, so good.

While most comic book fans know the Black Panther by name, relatively few know much about him, never mind the fact that “he” is not a single person, but a position of power and honor that is handed down from generation to generation, the leader of his people. As such, complaints about T’Challa not appearing in the issue miss the point. Wakanda is as much a part of the Black Panther’s identity as Uncle Ben is to Spider-Man’s, so it makes sense that Hudlin takes the time to explore its history first, offering a stronger context to present the Panther to a new, and hopefully larger, audience. More than makes sense, I’d say it’s crucial to the success of his intended elevation into the upper echelon of the Marvel Universe where he belongs.

My favorite scene was the racist General sputtering “BULL!” in response to Everett K. Ross’ story of how the Black Panther defeated Captain America during WWII. And how he has to be restrained as Ross adds, “If it makes you feel better, he beat the Fantastic Four…” It reminded me of the internet fanboys getting all up in arms, as if there was some dishonor in Cap being beaten by the Panther. Brought a wry smile to my lips.

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Blogger…No More

The time has come, I think. I started this blog almost two years ago to the day, January 29, 2003. Blogger's profile pages are a little wonky, not having updated since November, but I figure even with my decreased output over the past couple of months, it's been close to 600 posts and 200,000 words on everything from politics to Pokémon, poetry to...ah, pumpkin seeds? It's been fun, it's been educational, it's been great for keeping me writing, it's been great for simulating staying in touch with people, but lately, it's become more of an obligation than a joy. Some…

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Happy Black History Month. What was supposed to be a simple retro review of Christopher J. Priest's Black Panther comic turned into something more, something I'm particularly proud of. Go read it here.

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Comment: Being Black in a Four-Color World

It's an old joke: Why is Black History Month the shortest month of the year? There's no punchline to that one, of course. The question is the joke. In time for Black History Month 2005, Marvel Comics is relaunching the Black Panther in his own series, his fifth including the short-lived, unfortunately-titled but highly-regarded Jungle Action in 1974, by Don McGregor and Billy Graham; and his most recent eponymous incarnation, under the Marvel Knights imprint, which lasted six years under the redefining direction of writer Christopher J. Priest and a passel of artists, before ending in September 2003. This time…

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Getting the 1st Chapter Right

The Chapter One contest I'm one of the judges for is finally wrapping up. 125 manuscripts, the majority of which, like a poetry slam, went the maximum 20 pages! The panel wasn't able to meet in person so the contest coordinator is...um, coordinating our top six choices, trying to come up with a representative final four. The other two judges had two finalists in common, while neither had any crossover with my list. Should be interesting. With so many manuscripts to read, I developed a three-stage weeding process that netted about 15 solid "yes" entries, from which I had to…

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Healer Idealist

Apparently some things have changed since the beginning of last summer

JUNG TYPOLOGY TEST
(Courtesy of Raina)

Your Type is

INFP
Introverted (%11)
Intuitive (33%)
Feeling (11%)
Perceiving (67%)

Qualitative analysis of your type formula

You are:

* slightly expressed introvert
* moderately expressed intuitive personality
* slightly expressed feeling personality
* distinctively expressed perceiving personality

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