The New DCU and You!...Not Me

In the attempt to reinvigorate the dying medium of monthly comics DC Comics is relaunching their entire line with new #1’s. This attempt may be too little too late, but some would say, “You gotta try something.” This isn’t checking to see if the spaghetti sticks are done by tossing them against a wall, this is a business. They need to start acting like it.

Universal Appeal: Silent Films

Today when Hollywood churns out movies with special effects that are eye candy, and starring people that couldn't act themselves out of a Mime's Paper Bag. I look to the past to see what exactly we are missing with the dissolution of the Silent Film that was overtaken by the talkie.

The Silent Movie was art like anyother. Flickering pictures sometimes accompanied by a piano that was played in the theater that the movie was shown. You had to rely on the ability of the actor, and the occasional "Text Break" that would flesh out what these visual artists are emoting to enjoy the movie. There were actors that still after 100 years they have a visual presence that can touch you like no modern day actor or actress ever could.

You could take any silent film, swap out the English Text, and replace it with Russian, Spanish, French, Italian, hell, maybe even Japanese, and this international crowd could enjoy this movie no matter where it was made. We have lost this Universal Appeal. We have lost this magic, and that is a shame.

"Why so serious?"

Cold War vs. Prohibition

I was looking at a pawn shop, and at most pawn shops there are guns. Well I went in a asked the owner how much the guns were since the lighting sucked. The American made AK-47 was $700, not bad. Semi Automatic Fire(fully auto is not legal for non-FFL holders). Thirty Round magazine, that holds the 7.62 x 39 round. Nice gun. Tough gun. But then something else caught my eye.

It was a M1A1 Thompson Sub Machine Gun. A "Tommy Gun". A "Chicago Typewriter". A mobsters best friend. Now it only had the single stick clip that holds Twenty .45 caliber rounds, and the cost of this gun was $800.

I am still torn. Nothing says cool like a Tommy Gun. But the AK is a classic. It can take a beating, and get dirty. I am lazy when it comes to cleaning guns. But hey, if I save my money like I do from not buying comics, I could have a new weapon(or two) to take to the range.

Step Backwards

A few years back I took a break from comic books after getting fed up with people at my local comic book store, now with comics costing $4 a piece and telling stories that don't hold my attention I think I shall be stepping away again. I love comics. I really do. But when it comes to this montly drek time after time, I just have to step away or risk hating it all.

On the upside I will be saving money, and not wasting it on pamphlets that I read once, and put in a plastic baggy.