When I discuss comics, I don’t want to make a specialty out of talking about superhero books, but let me say a word about one of the most popular characters. Superman was the first true superhero comic book character. The Man of Steel was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster and was first published [...]
Round-up: More Spots
Once again, I have fallen behind in linking to my Spot-on columns. The BBC was caught up in a series of scandals earlier this year, which also raised issues about presenting “reality” on TV. If the devil is in the details, then we may be Dancing with the Devil. I’ve missed a lot of movies [...]
“Oh, Billy Mitchell always has a plan.”
My pal Dave has sent me a note about a new documentary that’s out right now. Not sure if this is playing near you, but do yourself a favor and RUN – don’t walk – to see King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters. Like all the best documentaries, the director/producer/etc. – Seth Gordon – [...]
Breaking the law
If I haven’t stated this point clearly, let me be explicit: Pop culture is not about rules. Pop spits in the face of rules. It breaks classical standards of art, it violates societal standards. It’s rude, it steals, it thumbs its nose at you. But if it works it works. If you like it, that’s [...]
Comic Lit: Intro
This will serve as an introductory post to any writing on the topic of comic books and graphic novels. I’ve been an off-and-on consumer for 31 years. Much like a couple of friends of mine (hey, Lar; hi, Dave), I have come in and dropped out in phases. The damn stupid economics of the comics [...]
Tasting Panel: Pineapple Soda
Recently, I had a hankering for pineapple soda. When I was a lad in high school, there was this Italian deli in town that made fantastic meatball subs. I used to wash ‘em down with Crush pineapple soda. (I can’t be sure, more than twenty years later, but it might have been this place.) Good [...]
Journo Superior
On a couple occasions, I have criticized critics of blogs. I don’t do so because this is a media analysis blog, because it’s not. I also don’t do it because I think blogs are above criticism, because they are not. It just seems like every time I see someone smacking blogs around for their lack [...]
Do you mind?
I’m a big fan of the Neptunes production team of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo. However, I’ve always been a little disappointed by Pharrell’s solo career. I feel that, much like Timbaland, he’s trying to cop Kanye’s achievement (and Puff Daddy before him) of being both a hit producer and a performer. Pharrell’s 2006 debut [...]