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May. 6th, 2013
Random Thoughts in May
May. 6th, 2013 01:12 pmAcceptance and tolerance are the proper expectation in any polite, civilized society. Understanding, on the other hand, is the product of shared empathy; the responsibility of both parties to the process of personal education. When either side abducates that responsibility solely to the other, no matter how valid the reasons, acceptance and tolerance remain all that you can reasonably expect.
Also known as 'Why Dex will never be a BFN on tumblr.'
***
It's been a stunningly good half year for concerts and public events. I've been to see the Tragically Hip, the Arkells, Leonard Cohen, Garbage, Jonathan Coultan, several Jays games, and the last four exhibitions at the AGO. Coming up is Dylan Moran, Dr. John, and Kevin Quain. Who knew that a busted ankle encourages one to get off the couch?
***
Just finished Sean Howe's 'Marvel Comics: The Untold Story'. Kind of weird reading it after deciding to take up collecting monthly comics again. Most of the intrigue I knew, although having the specifics are interesting. It actually makes Todd MacFarlane look like an even bigger douchebag, which I didn't even think was possible. The book is mostly focused on the 1950-1975 years, and clips through the last three decades way too fast. You can also tell which stories he got the most access to, focusing on Steve Gerber's career long past the point that Gerber was really relevent and beating the Kirby/Lee Feud to death. However, if you weren't engaged when a lot of the first historical articles on Marvel's history came out in the 90s, it's an excellent way to jump in.
Overall, it's a worthwhile book despite its flaws, and it will surprise the casual fan just how popular comics once were and the personalities behind their (often accidental) creation.
In the same vein, still ctaching up on my comics. It's a shame that X-Men: Legacy's relaunch is focused on David Haller in a riff not dissimilar to Ellis/Grant's reworking on X-Man during the Counter-X series. Haller's crazy now involves harvesting his hundreds (thousands) of ridiculously named alien-like multiple personalities to grab their powers for use in various situations. The art is weak, but Spurrier's writing has a nice flow, even if it feels like a repeatative and his handle on Haller is improving. It is a shame because prior to the relaunch, Legacy was producing some excellent work with Rogue, really getting a hold of her as an experienced, mature leader who has found herself suddenly one of the leaders of the modern mutant movement and trying to adapt to that.
In general, I've been enjoying the new X-titles. The writing is usually good, and even when the stories get a bit shakey, there's enough innovation to at least keep clunky plotting from dragging down the book. As a Cyclops fan, I'm enjoying the final exposure that Scott has been basically insane since they got him back from Apocalypse and is able to slide into Magneto territory without the self-delusion that Erik relied on for so many years. I haven't gotten into the All-New X-Men yet with Bendis - I have to catch up on X-Factor first - but so far, this has been the most consistently good period of writing on the X-Books that I can think of since the Seagal/Casey days around Zero Tolerance.
***
Finished the final book of the Wheel of Time last week. Still not sure how to feel about it, since the sense that its done and over is so very odd. For the most part, I think Sanderson did a good job tying most of the floating plot lines and prophecies together, although even if the fans would have revolted, a book between the last two might have smoothed out the pacing. That being said, I've been reading this series since I was 15 years old and it is finally done. That's a very strange feeling.
I will say that there were more then a few times that after that long a set-up, the actions of certain characters earned a geninue 'Fuck Yeah!' while reading. The book certainly has flaws; some glaring. But the fucking thing is done! Going to dwell on just that for a while.
***
Are there any decent games coming out this year? I'm excited about Lego: Marvel Superheros and GTA 5 and that's about it. DA3 hasn't been announced yet and I'm pretty leary of Faffains Creed IV: The Curse of the Black Pearl or whatever the fuck it is. Is there anything else?
Also known as 'Why Dex will never be a BFN on tumblr.'
***
It's been a stunningly good half year for concerts and public events. I've been to see the Tragically Hip, the Arkells, Leonard Cohen, Garbage, Jonathan Coultan, several Jays games, and the last four exhibitions at the AGO. Coming up is Dylan Moran, Dr. John, and Kevin Quain. Who knew that a busted ankle encourages one to get off the couch?
***
Just finished Sean Howe's 'Marvel Comics: The Untold Story'. Kind of weird reading it after deciding to take up collecting monthly comics again. Most of the intrigue I knew, although having the specifics are interesting. It actually makes Todd MacFarlane look like an even bigger douchebag, which I didn't even think was possible. The book is mostly focused on the 1950-1975 years, and clips through the last three decades way too fast. You can also tell which stories he got the most access to, focusing on Steve Gerber's career long past the point that Gerber was really relevent and beating the Kirby/Lee Feud to death. However, if you weren't engaged when a lot of the first historical articles on Marvel's history came out in the 90s, it's an excellent way to jump in.
Overall, it's a worthwhile book despite its flaws, and it will surprise the casual fan just how popular comics once were and the personalities behind their (often accidental) creation.
In the same vein, still ctaching up on my comics. It's a shame that X-Men: Legacy's relaunch is focused on David Haller in a riff not dissimilar to Ellis/Grant's reworking on X-Man during the Counter-X series. Haller's crazy now involves harvesting his hundreds (thousands) of ridiculously named alien-like multiple personalities to grab their powers for use in various situations. The art is weak, but Spurrier's writing has a nice flow, even if it feels like a repeatative and his handle on Haller is improving. It is a shame because prior to the relaunch, Legacy was producing some excellent work with Rogue, really getting a hold of her as an experienced, mature leader who has found herself suddenly one of the leaders of the modern mutant movement and trying to adapt to that.
In general, I've been enjoying the new X-titles. The writing is usually good, and even when the stories get a bit shakey, there's enough innovation to at least keep clunky plotting from dragging down the book. As a Cyclops fan, I'm enjoying the final exposure that Scott has been basically insane since they got him back from Apocalypse and is able to slide into Magneto territory without the self-delusion that Erik relied on for so many years. I haven't gotten into the All-New X-Men yet with Bendis - I have to catch up on X-Factor first - but so far, this has been the most consistently good period of writing on the X-Books that I can think of since the Seagal/Casey days around Zero Tolerance.
***
Finished the final book of the Wheel of Time last week. Still not sure how to feel about it, since the sense that its done and over is so very odd. For the most part, I think Sanderson did a good job tying most of the floating plot lines and prophecies together, although even if the fans would have revolted, a book between the last two might have smoothed out the pacing. That being said, I've been reading this series since I was 15 years old and it is finally done. That's a very strange feeling.
I will say that there were more then a few times that after that long a set-up, the actions of certain characters earned a geninue 'Fuck Yeah!' while reading. The book certainly has flaws; some glaring. But the fucking thing is done! Going to dwell on just that for a while.
***
Are there any decent games coming out this year? I'm excited about Lego: Marvel Superheros and GTA 5 and that's about it. DA3 hasn't been announced yet and I'm pretty leary of Faffains Creed IV: The Curse of the Black Pearl or whatever the fuck it is. Is there anything else?