Wonder Con!

I'll be at Wonder Con in Anaheim this weekend.  So far, here is my schedule:

Friday:

Signing at the DC booth 1pm-2pm

Saturday:

DC Universe Panel 1pm-2pm

Aspen Panel 3pm-4pm

Signing at the DC booth 6pm-7pm

Sunday:

Signing at the DC booth 2pm-3pm

I'll also be signing at the Aspen Booth throughout the weekend as well.  Check postings for times.  Hope to see you all there!

jt

Captain Atom's Messiah Complex

When Freddie and I first started talking about Captain Atom, the hero's struggle with his powers was always going to be a cornerstone of the book.  How could someone not be changed when they have the limitless powers of a god?  In issue #2, we have him cure cancer in the brain of a young boy named Mikey, and some reacted by asking - how come he doesn't do this all the time?  Cure cancer?  End hunger?  And war?  Save us all from ourselves.  It wasn't a question we were dodging.  It was all part of a grand story running through the first two arcs of the book.  With Issue #7 coming out this month and the cover for #10 in June released today, you can see that the messiah complex issue is going to play a big role.  With the second arc, we will be building on everything that has come before and ratcheting things up by a factor of ten.  You're going to see other Captain Atoms come onto the scene as we deal with time displacement in a way unlike we've seen in a Captain Atom book.  I can't wait for everyone to see what's coming in the months ahead.  

Captain Atom #7

Captain Atom #10

If you haven't tried Captain Atom yet, issue #7 is a great place to jump on, and if you are reading it, then spread the word.  Captain Atom's life is about to get very, very complex. 

DBAD #1

Although I wish it were not the case, I feel as if I must put a #1 along with the DBAD heading for this post - for I fear it will not be the last.  I didn't set out to use this blog site for ranting and the like, but I am compelled to at this point.  Thus, we have the premiere of DBAD - "Don't Be A Dick."  We've all been privy to asinine behavior, whether directed toward us or merely in our proximity, and we've wanted to set things right. 

 

So, for DBAD #1, the rule is this:  When a friend of yours get engaged (this mostly applies to men, but I suppose it doesn't have to be gender specific), don't make disparaging comments about their decision or the institution of marriage.  Quips about "Another one bites the dust" or "The old ball and chain" or questions about why they "want to throw their freedom away"  - these all are in extremely poor taste, and so not the reaction someone is looking for after making such a big life decision. 

 

Disclaimer: Now, if you are a close friend with legitimate questions regarding the character, heart, and soul of the person your friend is to marry, that is another case altogether.   If you are truly trying to save your friend from choosing a selfish, inadequate, or otherwise poor partner, then you may be compelled to state your opinion.

 

No, I am talking about those of you who see marriage as the end of something rather than the beginning, a necessary evil, or a trap.  Whether you are a single person still reveling in the excitement that life brings, or already married but struggling, or divorced with a nasty impression of married life, you are being a dick by bashing the notion for your friend. 

 

The decision to get married is huge.  It's pretty much the biggest decision you'll ever make.  Far bigger than career or where you'll live.  You are choosing a partner that will hopefully walk beside you through the rest of your journey in life.  They will be your partner, your better half, your friend, your advisor, your coach, your taskmaster…the person that accepts you for who you are, yet also wants to help you become the person you want to be.  Upon making this decision, the last thing one needs is some jackass ribbing him about the entire notion.  On more than one occasion, I have personally witnessed recently engaged men become frustrated over the negative comments made upon sharing their news.  You can see it in their eyes - like they bought the car they wanted, the one they've been dreaming about their entire lives.  But when they show it to their friends, the response is  - "what a lemon."

 

Regardless of your feelings and experience on the matter, be happy for them.  It's the least you can do. 

Thought I Would Bring it to Your Attention

I haven't really offered reviews on comics, movies, books, or the like.  This may be a fluke, or it could be the beginning of something I do regularly.  Time will tell.  I am always amazed with the zeal and enthusiasm some go to trash things in their reviews.  It seems the community at large is more inclined to razz something they hate rather than praise something they love.  I suppose you could say it extends well beyond things like reviews.  Hell, if George Clooney gave a girl a college scholarship, it would a blip on the news radar.  But if he gave that same girl Chlamydia, the story would last for weeks if not months.  But I digress.  This story is not about Chlamydia or even George Clooney for that matter, although he was dynamite in The Descendents.  I like it when Clooney plays some regular guy struggling through life and not the suave stud with all the answers.  I think that's why I was also such a fan of Michael Clayton.  Anyway, those aren't the movies I wanted to mention.

 

Today, I wanted to say just a few words about HUGO and THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY. Both films fall into a category that I don't use often when describing films.  Enchanting.  

Starting with HUGO - it's the story of a boy living alone in a train station, as he seeks unlock the mystery left behind by his father.  Oh, but the film is about so much more than that.  It's about wonder and dreams, and our need to keep both alive.  Initially, I was surprised when I saw that Martin Scorsese was directing this type of film.  I knew of the book but hadn't read it, and was thus unaware of the connection.  I won't spoil it, but in watching the film, it becomes crystal clear exactly why he chose this project.  The film is touching, emotional, moving, and just altogether brilliant.  I didn't even see it in 3D, which I was told is utterly amazing  (I am not the biggest 3D fan in the world).  If you haven't seen HUGO, and like movies at all - I cannot recommend it highly enough.  It's one of those rare movies that really is for all ages, having plenty to love for both kids and adults. 

 

THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY is also a family film from the acclaimed animator Hayao Miyazaki, who made of the very best I've ever seen - SPIRITED AWAY.  If you haven't seen that one, stop reading this now.  Go watch it.  I'll wait.

 See?  Told you it was amazing.  THE SECRET WOLRD OF ARRIETTY is cut from the same cloth.  On paper, it seems like a simple film - a group of little people called Borrowers live under a house, surviving off the odds and ends they "borrow" from the gigantic human beings (Or as they call them - "beans").  It's a smart story about family, growing up, friendship, and facing one's fears.  Now, a story about little people living under our noses isn't groundbreaking.  We've seen this before.  I can still hear the theme song for the cartoon THE LITTLES bouncing around inside my head.  But, THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY manages to make the experience fresh and exciting.  The way the world of the humans is presented during Arrietty's first trip with her father is breathtaking.  You really feel the epic scope of what she is seeing.  As Arrietty gazes out across the kitchen for the first time, you can feel her sense of wonder and awe - like you may have when looking upon the Grand Canyon for the first time. 

 

Both films go for substance over style, but they have both.   And, they don't talk down to kids or go at the funny bone with tired bodily function jokes that seem all the rage in other films.  HUGO and THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY are both perfect examples of what the magic of movies is all about.

jt