Final Smallville this week and about time too. Could have been so much better but I blame lack of vision from the mawkish writers. Whereas once there was usually enough per episode to hold your interest, things deteriorated so that it became only interesting to see which DC characters (and there were actually loads) popped up. I don't mourn the show, I mourn what it could have been. Still, we get to see cheaty Superman shots and the final image was indeed what I always assumed it would be. Have to admit that as that John Williams theme kicked in the final seconds, a big grin broke: I'm a sucker for that music. Will miss Lois more than Clark and I actually like the character a lot more after Erica Durance's depiction.
As Smallville shuffles off, Misfits shuffles back. It's not the same without Nathan but still watchable, although Simon's really the only truly interesting character. The Fades was also not bad (while not brilliant) but gets Brownie Points for at least three references to Alan Moore...
Still reading Supergods, Grant Morrison's fusion of autobiography and cultural history of the superhero. It's an utterly absorbing and illuminating read, highbrow references but still accessible. It explains more about Morrison's 90s statements about fictional realities and our interaction with them and is well worth anybody's attention. The Talking With Gods DVD is also an interesting companion piece.
Watched Batman: Year One, DC's 13th direct to DVD original animation (following Marvel's lack lustre 8 outings). While this showed how slight Miller's story actually is (it's then revolutionary storytelling proving to have the real kick), the quality of animation just continues ti improve each time. Using crisp modern digital techniques (such as the Simpsons does: you can tell the old hand animated episodes), this is a treat for the eyes to rival some anime offerings. There's also a Catwoman short that's virtually plot free but strangely features about a minute watching a pole dancer strut her stuff, fling off her bra and narrowly avert a very rude way to pick up a diamond...
Read the second volume of Morning Glories yesterday and despite the dubious interior art, this is one of the most intriguing modern comics around. A group of pupils at a select private school get involved in mysterious shenanigans going on that remind me of Lost at a its best, in that each issue is character-focused and hints at larger secrets. Everybody should give this a look, as they should Ultimate X. This features probably Art Adam's strongest art and is sumptuous to look at but the real surprise is Jeph Loeb's writing. Having hated pretty much everything he's written for years, this is another series that follows an individual character each issue but ties them in to a larger ongoing narrative. I don't know if there's more issues to come, but I hope so...
Watched Batman: Year One, DC's 13th direct to DVD original animation (following Marvel's lack lustre 8 outings). While this showed how slight Miller's story actually is (it's then revolutionary storytelling proving to have the real kick), the quality of animation just continues ti improve each time. Using crisp modern digital techniques (such as the Simpsons does: you can tell the old hand animated episodes), this is a treat for the eyes to rival some anime offerings. There's also a Catwoman short that's virtually plot free but strangely features about a minute watching a pole dancer strut her stuff, fling off her bra and narrowly avert a very rude way to pick up a diamond...
Read the second volume of Morning Glories yesterday and despite the dubious interior art, this is one of the most intriguing modern comics around. A group of pupils at a select private school get involved in mysterious shenanigans going on that remind me of Lost at a its best, in that each issue is character-focused and hints at larger secrets. Everybody should give this a look, as they should Ultimate X. This features probably Art Adam's strongest art and is sumptuous to look at but the real surprise is Jeph Loeb's writing. Having hated pretty much everything he's written for years, this is another series that follows an individual character each issue but ties them in to a larger ongoing narrative. I don't know if there's more issues to come, but I hope so...
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I was thinking of writing a blogpost on why I've stuck with Smallville as long as I have despite thinking the scripts awful and not being remotely interested in Superman. Much as I'd like to put it down to Lois & Chloe, I actually think Tom Welling might have something to do with it too. He's an enormously charismatic chap and manages to make even the most sentimental dreck curiously believable... particularly the scenes he does with Jonathan Schneider, a welcome return to this final series.
I have to say, he does make a believable Superman, a hard role to pull off really. I caught the end of the repeat of the final episode yesterday and again, that Superman theme still brings tears to my eyes, the only other time I recall that is when I saw the Star Wars special edition trailer after years of forgetting about SW...ah, the power of music...
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