On the Coffee Table: I Never Liked You

Title: I Never Liked You
Writer and Artist: Chester Brown

Image via Wikipedia

Chester Brown was a big part of my A-Z Challenge this year as artist and writer for four of the 26 comic books I featured, including two of my favorites: Louis Riel #4 and Yummy Fur #27.  As noted in my A-Z post, Yummy Fur issues 26-30 were collected in graphic novel form as I Never Liked You.  The story is an autobiographical account of Brown's teenage years in the Montreal suburb of Chateauguay. 

Chester's a quiet guy.  Kids at school make fun of him because they know he never swears - strictly forbidden by his parents to do so even away from school.  He has friends, though, many of them female.  One of the girls, Carrie, is clearly in love with him but he has no idea how to respond to it.  His true affections are directed towards another girl in the neighborhood, Sly.  Much of the story revolves around Chester's inability to relate to the women in his life, especially his mother, whose struggles with mental illness feature prominently in the narrative. 

Just as I wrote in regards to Louis Riel, much of the power of Brown's work derives from its simplicity.  Dialogue is sparse, the black and white panels uncomplicated and to the point.  Chester shuts the people in his life out but as the readers, we are afforded an intimate view.  He doesn't divulge many secrets but he doesn't need to.  For us, at least, the important details are made plain enough.

I'm still undecided as to how I feel about Chester Brown.  While I thoroughly enjoyed both this book and Louis Riel, the other works I've explored thus far have either disgusted me (Ed the Happy Clown #2) or left me cold (Underwater #2).  I suppose I can say that I prefer his non-fiction to his fiction.  I am genuinely curious about his other autobiographical works.

On the Coffee Table: Extraordinary Gents, Vol. 2

Title: The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Volume II
Writer: Alan Moore
Artist: Kevin O'Neill

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The League of Extraordinary Gentelmen is Moore's and O'Neill's spoof on the superhero team genre, incorporating characters of Victorian era literature.  The League consists of Mina Murray (Dracula), Allan Quartermain (King Solomon's Mines), Hawley Griffin (The Invisible Man), Henry Jeckyll/Edward Hyde and Captain Nemo (20,000 Leagues Under the Sea).  My review of Volume I can be found here.

Volume II draws heavily from the works of H.G. Wells.  The overarching plot is based on War of the Worlds.  In addition to Griffin, Dr. Moreau plays a vital role in the story. 

The fun of The League is in waiting to see who will pop up next, what other literary references will find their way into the story.  Many of the allusions are obvious, others more subtle.  The League lodges at an inn called "The Bleak House," for instance.  Just as with Volume I, the story whets my appetite for the source material as much as for The League story itself.

Definitely for adults only: depictions of brutal violence between league members as well as a nude sex scene with Mina and Allan.

Baseball Tunes: Thank God I'm a Country Boy

Since the glory days of the 1970s, the Baltimore Orioles have played John Denver's "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" during the seventh-inning stretch.  I have never understood this tradition.  I grew up in Maryland - granted DC area, not Baltimore.  I know the town well enough to say that it's about as urban as an American city can be.  How anyone in Baltimore can claim to be a country boy (or girl) is beyond me.  Maybe Earl Weaver was a John Denver fan.

At any rate, it's a fun song.  My favorite rendition, however, is Jim Nabors's performance on The Muppet Show:



Nabors is actually quite an accomplished singer - his recordings a fair sight better than the usual celebrity vanity project.  He made his television singing debut as Gomer Pyle - his career-defining role - on The Andy Griffith Show:




My Baseball Fantasy

Vermont League: won, 6-4 (36-27-7 overall, 1st place out of 12 teams)
Maryland League: lost, 3-6-1 (34-33-3, 4th of 10)
Public League: 84 Rotisserie points (2nd of 12)
My Player of the Week: Carlos Gonzalez (Left Fielder, Rockies) with 3 home runs, 8 RBI, 8 runs, 3 stolen bases and a .375 batting average

Photo via Denver Westword Blogs

Family Movie Night: Star Trek into Darkness

Title: Star Trek into Darkness
Director: J.J. Abrams
Original Release: 2013
Choice: My Wife's
My Overall Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Image via Wikipedia

My Wife has a serious Benedict Cumberbatch crush.  As such, she'd been looking forward to Star Trek into Darkness for quite a while.  As for myself, I have misgivings about the Abrams relaunch of the Star Trek story.  The alternate history introduced with the 2009 film just doesn't sit well.  However, I do realize that Trek is a fictional universe to begin with and one history is, at least theoretically, as valid as another.  As such, I am prepared to give the new concept a chance, even if it doesn't completely jive with my sensibilities.



Just to give you folks an idea of her level of infatuation, My Wife has all of Cumberbatch's lines from the trailer above memorized.

Cumberbatch plays the role of Khan, a villain first introduced in the original television series in 1967, performed by Ricardo Montalban.  Montalban reprised the role for Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982), generally considered to be the best of the Star Trek movies.  So, it is hallowed ground upon which J.J. Abrams treads in this latest installment.

In his interview with Jon Stewart last week, Abrams acknowledged the challenges of reinterpreting such a treasured franchise.  He himself did not grow up as a Trek fan and hopes that the new film includes satisfying material for both newcomers and devotees.  For newcomers, there's all the bells and whistles of 21st century film: dazzling special effects, frenetic action and plenty of eye candy in both dressing rooms.  For the Trekkies, there are ample satisfying allusions to the original Khan movie.  So, the pitches are made.  Did he succeed?

As for mainstream success, the opening weekend was apparently disappointing.  $84 million sure sounds like an awful lot of money to me but it fell short of the $100 million goal.  As for the purists, I can only speak for myself.  I preferred this movie to the 2009 film.  Now that the alternate history has been established, I find it easier to settle in and appreciate the new timeline on its own merits.  I was grateful, too, for the homage to Khan.  I could have done without the close-up stubble shots of the men but My Wife assures me those were just fine by her.

There's loads of extra geek-satisfaction in this one.  Cumberbatch is quickly becoming Hollywood's go-to man for the smoldering villain.  He's also the voice of Smaug in the new Hobbit trilogy.  His rich, deep, melodic voice alone will keep him employed for many years to come.  The casting of both Noel Clarke (Doctor Who alum) and Peter Weller (Buckaroo Bonzai and RoboCop) are meaningful nods to the broader science fiction fan base. 

Multi-generational considerations:

• The movie is rated PG-13, most certainly for violence.  I had to turn away myself during a head-crushing incident.  Mock (who was sitting right next to me - he and his son joined us) assured me they didn't actually show it.  The sound was more than enough for this guy!
• The theater may simply have had its sound system cranked up beyond necessity but the film is definitely loud.

On the Coffee Table: Marvel Star Wars, Vol. 3

Title: Star Wars Omnibus: A Long Time Ago...., Volume 3

Image via Wookieepedia

As part of its Omnibus series, Dark Horse Comics have compiled collections of Star Wars comics from the franchise's days with Marvel in the 1970s and '80s.  Not a comic fan in my youth, I never gave the series much thought at the time but I have thoroughly enjoyed exploring them over the past couple years.  I have reviewed Volume 1 and Volume 2 in previous posts.

Volume 3 includes issues 50-67 plus King-Size Annual #2.  As noted in earlier posts, the Marvel comics are considered lower canon than the Dark Horse comics as so much of the material was later contradicted by the films.  This wasn't Marvel's fault, of course.  George Lucas and his minions were not forthcoming with their own narrative plans.  The comic artists had to generate years' worth of stories with very little guidance.

As such, the comics followed an evolutionary path all their own with fascinating results.  Characters and settings that were introduced in the movies were explored more deeply.  Entirely new ideas were initiated, including characters who have endured in more recent works.


Bespin

Cloud City on the gas giant planet Bespin is, of course, the setting for the climactic scenes of the film The Empire Strikes Back.  Lando returns to Cloud City at the end of issue #55, entitled "Plif!"  All has gone very poorly in Lando's absence. He is attacked almost immediately upon arrival by his former right hand man, Lobot.

Photo via Wookieepedia

Lobot - listed in the credits simply as Lando's aide - has no lines in the film, though he is crucial to plot development.  I have to admit that I'd never really given Lobot much thought, assuming he was a human with a really cool headset who didn't speak because he didn't have need.  However, the comic identifies him as a cyborg - a fact I'd never considered.  Upon research, I found that the headset is actually a cybernetic implant.  He is mute from the required lobotomy for the implant.  "Lobot" is short for lobotomy.  Who says you can't learn anything from comic books?

The Ugnaughts return in issue #56, "Coffin in the Clouds."  The gas mine workers, disgruntled with the imperial administration of Cloud City, have planted bombs throughout the installation.  Lando and Captain Treece, the Empire's man in Bespin, eventually work together to dismantle the bombs.  However, Treece predictably betrays Lando, literally kicking him off the city's edge to plummet to his death.  Fortunately, Lobot has come to his cyborg senses and rescues Lando. 

Photo via Wookieepedia

The two land safely in a Bespin marsh.  Not long after, they encounter an Ugnaught news crew eager for a story.  Apparently, at least in the Marvel Universe, Ugnaughts talk like pirates.


Shira Brie

Image via Light-Sabre.com

Issue #56 also introduced the character of Shira Brie (spelled Brei initially), a fighter pilot for the Rebellion and apparent aspirant for Luke Skywalker's affections.  However, in issue #63 ("The Mind Spider!"), we learn that Shira is not quite what she seems.  She is an Imperial agent groomed by Darth Vader to destroy Luke.  Eventually, Shira evolves into the Sith character Lumiya (first appearance Marvel #88) who has been featured in numerous Expanded Universe story lines ever since.


While I dabble in other idioms, Star Wars will always be geek home for me.  I can't help feeling a twinge of regret at not having found these comics when I was a kid and so eager for more Star Wars stories between movies.  I was too busy saving my allowance for the action figures, I guess.  While my interest in superhero comics is in serious jeopardy, I expect I'm into Star Wars comics for the long haul.

Double Barrel #10

Title: Double Barrel
Issue: #10
Release: May 2013
Writers: Kevin and Zander Cannon
Authors: Kevin and Zander Cannon

Image via ComicVine

Both Zander's Heck and Kevin's Crater XV are speeding towards their conclusions.   Only two more issues to go!  In Heck, the embittered Hector passes on the message his client/love interest Amy sent him to find.  In Crater XV, crucial details of the characters' pasts are revealed.  Extras include part two of Tim Sievert's The Clandestinauts, Kevin's Penny from the Front and Zander's True Tales of Jin.  In this month's How to: section, Kevin offers "Basic Design Concepts for Cartoonists." I will admit upfront that most of the material is way over my head, yet I am grateful for the insight into such matters as resolution, font and color.

Double Barrel is available anywhere electronic comics or eBooks are sold.  I got my copy at ComiXology. 

Baseball Tunes: God Bless America

Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, "God Bless America" has become the seventh-inning stretch song of choice at many American ballparks, supplanting "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."  Tin Pan Alley legend Irving Berlin wrote the song in 1918 while serving in the Army.   While the song does have a verse, most performers skip it and go straight to the chorus.


My Baseball Fantasy

Vermont League: tied, 5-5 (30-23-7 overall, 1st place out of 12 teams)
Maryland League: won, 6-3-1 (31-27-2, 4th of 10)
Public League: 85.5 Rotisserie points (3rd of 12)
My Player of the Week: Evan Longoria (Third Baseman, Rays) with 3 home runs, 11 RBI, 8 runs and a .464 batting average

 Photo via Tumblr