The Posting Rescue Bernard Arrives

Carrying with it the sweet, warming nectar of rum. I mean, something to post about. And now that the Arizona Cardinals have overcome the Cowboys, the refs repeatedly kidney-stabbing them (based on what I read online, since I could not see the game, I'm not certain I mean metaphorically), and their own general, well, Arizona Cardinalness (known in general circles as ineptitude), to win again. Hurrah!

I saw this on Kelvin's blog, which he apparently saw on a friend's blog, and by George, I'm not above using such things to aid me! I was about to say "use such things for quick content", but the way I ramble, there's no such thing as quick, is there?

Favorite regular series?
Nova. Guardians of the Galaxy would be close, but it hasn't introduced anything quite as cool as Cosmo or Knowhere yet, so it's got some ground to make up. I am concerned that future solicitations for Nova suggest he's still on Earth after Secret Invasion, and so GotG may pass it sooner than I expect. Secret Six will probably merit consideration in a few months, but I've only seen one issue so far, and I can't put it up here based on that.

Comic book character you only recently discovered/started reading?
Much like Kelvin, I'm not reading about any characters I hadn't been aware of for some time previously, but I suppose in terms of recent, either Booster Gold or Moon Knight. Booster gets involved in all sorts of unusual and entertaining things, while Moon Knight's just batshit insane, which has a certain appeal.

If you could write/draw one character, who would it be?
See, the trick here is, I'd be afraid to take on anything I truly liked, for fear of doing damage to it. Maybe Nightcrawler, with emphasis on swashbuckling adventure and romance, go for something high-spirited. Not that I don't like Kurt, I just figure he can rebound from whatever I might screw up.

Are you a big fan of multi-issue crossover extravaganzas?
Does Annihilation count? Probably not, since no ongoing series tied directly into the mini-series. So I'd say no. I appreciate the sales boost the titles I like get - though I loathe the people who only buy the title for the duration of time it has BIG EVENT NAME stamped on the cover somewhere, then move elsewhere like locusts - but it feels like events frequently serve to cock the book up, throwing them off the story the writer was working on. Plus, the events sometimes cause changes I find unenjoyable to books I like. Mostly, I can't muster the energy to care about yet another story that will change everything, because this is big serious work they are doing here. Whoo-ped-dee-doo, he said, slowly, and in a deadpan tone of voice.

Last comic book series you dropped and why?
X-Factor. The book had actually felt like it was struggling for about a year or so before, a problem I partially attribute to Messiah CompleX, first because I felt PAD had to speed up the story with the Isolationist to get it done before MC started (don't know if that's accurate, but it felt rushed), then the book loses some core cast members, then Secret Invasion and Larry Stroman (who I really feel needs an inker who uses heavier lines) come along simultaneously, and it just seemed like a good time to bail. It's never a good sign when Arcade shows up and I'm only mildly entertained.

Favorite character?
Spider-Man. GrimJack, the Ray, Cassandra Cain Batgirl and Sgt. Rock have to get some love too. And the original New Warriors. All of them.

Are you a DC or Marvel fan?
Marvel. DC's never even come close to challenging. Heck, this year I'm buying more DC books than I have at any time since I started the blog, and Marvel's still got them beat about 3-to-1. I think my dad's Silver Age DC soured me on the characters as too powerful and kind of dense, and I preferred the Marvel style of "here's how the hero part of their life actively messes up the everyday part of their life", to the point that DC characters I like are usually demonstrating that when I get to know them (the Ray, for instance. Kid wasn't allowed to go outside until he was like 18? Now he's trying to figure out life and reconnect with people? Sold.)

Do you remember your first comic/series?
Amazing Spider-Man #273. The Puma wants Spider-Man's help to defeat the Beyonder. Probably explains my love of Spider-Girl, since this issue was DeFalco/Frenz, and so is her series (though I had no problems with Pat Olliffe, who was penciler the first 4-5 years).

Is Watchmen the movie going to be as good as the comic book?
Haven't read the comic, so you're asking the wrong fellow. When in doubt, I'd say "No" is a safe answer.

Favorite comic book movie?
Not one of the Spider-Man movies, it may surprise you to learn. It's either The Punisher, or it's Iron Man. Punisher had John Travolta getting shot, the Russian (though without his witty commentary), humorous moments, and Roy Scheider. Part of me wishes, when they shot the propane tank for their gas grill, that he'd said "Smile, you son of a bitch." Ah well. As for Iron Man, also had humorous moments, some cool fight scenes, nice character interactions, and it made flying around in a suit of powered armor you built look really damn fun, which is pretty important. (the Spider-Man movies captured that feel with the web-slinging sometimes, but not always. I'm not sure whether it was the level of effects used, or Favreau's decision to show us Tony's face frequently when he's piloting giving us a sense of his reactions. Batman probably sits 3rd. Hey, it gets nostalgia points for being the start of my father and I's tradition of going to see Bat-movies together.

Worst comic book movie?
I'm not familiar with Hellblazer, so I can't comment on how badly fouled up Constantine may have been. Ditto with League of Extraordinary Gentleman. Never saw Elektra, or any of the Superman flicks after the one with Zod (that's the second one, right?). Didn't hate Ghost Rider or Daredevil as much as some people do, so what's that leave? Oh yes.

BATMAN & ROBIN, BATMAN & ROBIN, BATMAN & ROBIN!!!! I hope by saying its name three times to dispel it permanently to. . . where was it Beetlejuice came from again? I know what Schumacher was going for, but I really wish he hadn't.

Character you'd like to see in a movie?
Oh jeez, I'm terrible at these. OK, what would translate well? GrimJack? I think a director could have a lot of fun with a story set in a world where every street can be part of a different dimension, each with different rules. And Gaunt's tendency to take jobs big and small could very easily lead into a story about the hardened old soldier helping out the little guy (Magnificent Seven style), or the guy who doesn't care about the politics, but doesn't like getting used as a patsy by the shadowy overlord types. Bonus points if they include Spook, the girlfriend that's also a ghost.

Series that you'd like to see on TV?
I'd kind of like to see League of Extraordinary Gentlemen as a series. I think it would work better Really, I'd like to see the League I proposed August 14, 2006. Obviously not happening, but I'd still like to see it. Besides that, Suicide Squad. Having a long-running series, allows for the fun with introducing and exterminating ridiculous characters. I demand to see Slipknot's arm blown off in High-def, as I have no imagination anymore, and thus cannot picture it myself! If we're talking solo characters, um Immortal Iron Fist would be pretty cool. Maybe X-Factor, with the "superpowered detective agency" angle, plus the various romantic entanglements, psychological issues, and bad puns. Oh, how the bad puns should flow, like a river of . . . aw crap. What sounds better, "river of blood", or "river of wine"? I suppose wine, since it can taste sort of sweet, but mess you up when overused.

And on that note, we're done here.