tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post7165751107388088950..comments2024-03-27T19:04:14.544-05:00Comments on The Absorbascon: No West, Young Man!Scipiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16217376618860561999noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-160852722538845192011-08-16T18:25:24.527-05:002011-08-16T18:25:24.527-05:00"Hands-down the stupidest story in the last d..."Hands-down the stupidest story in the last decade (and maybe ever throughout the history of comics) "<br /><br />The problem with retcons is that things which used to be true no longer are. Case in point, before Flashpoint, Identity Crisis <i>may have been</i> the stupidest story ever, but that's no longer true. It's now what we call a "former fact."Accursed Interlopernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-12313180382141644442011-08-08T17:24:48.336-05:002011-08-08T17:24:48.336-05:00Oddly, though I don't think Fiona looks mannis...Oddly, though I don't think Fiona looks mannish in that scan, I knew why you made the "drag" comment.<br /><br />Was it the prominent jawline, or something else, that prompted the observation?Gene Phillipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11495562795211277146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-50915863646811524892011-08-04T13:20:56.321-05:002011-08-04T13:20:56.321-05:00Yes; she proves my point. Golden/Silver/Bronze Ag...Yes; she proves my point. Golden/Silver/Bronze Age girlfriends were not generic and certainly not generically "bad" by any means.<br /><br />They were written with different personalities, and, on average, Iris was meaner than all of them.<br /><br />Put together.Scipiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16217376618860561999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-46835520473776650892011-08-04T12:39:12.705-05:002011-08-04T12:39:12.705-05:00Shayera Hol was a costumed hero on equal footing a...Shayera Hol was a costumed hero on equal footing and not a civilian girlfriend.Jimmyhttp://jimmythejiver@gmail.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-52879531482850198782011-08-03T20:30:21.024-05:002011-08-03T20:30:21.024-05:00Shayera Hol was more than just a plot device, I be...Shayera Hol was more than just a plot device, I believe. And she was a pretty nice person. She didn't even get too upset with that impudent baggage Mavis Trent.steve mitchellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-16556038394123228652011-08-03T14:59:29.484-05:002011-08-03T14:59:29.484-05:00It's not an excuse. It's a fact. Schwart...It's not an excuse. It's a fact. Schwartz treated wives/girlfriends as plot devices not people.<br /><br />Other editors might not have been so harsh with their wife/girlfriend characters, but none of DC's female supporting characters (who didn't wear costumes) were very pleasant.<br /><br />To this day I don't understand Clark's interest in Lois. Maybe Batman's success is linked to his lack of stereotypical DC female baggage...dannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-40177313370724101492011-08-03T08:53:14.173-05:002011-08-03T08:53:14.173-05:00"Didio claims that Identity Crisis is still c..."Didio claims that Identity Crisis is still canon"<br /><br />Figures. Hands-down the stupidest story in the last decade (and maybe ever throughout the history of comics) and THAT they choose to keep.Bryan Lnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-89434001572606343222011-08-02T20:01:55.921-05:002011-08-02T20:01:55.921-05:00Didio claims that Identity Crisis is still canon, ...Didio claims that Identity Crisis is still canon, but that would make less sense depending on if the superheroes were married before. Since that was the point of the motivation to attack superhero loved ones. I hope it's forgotten. No story milked continuity and the retcon and complications from it than that horrid story.Jimmyhttp://jimmythejiver@gmail.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-12941446147549329572011-08-02T13:39:21.514-05:002011-08-02T13:39:21.514-05:00"Well, either she walked out of a dream or a ..."Well, either she walked out of a dream or a drag show."<br /><br />Aw, that's just the way Don Heck liked to draw women. You should have seen Avengers Mansion when he was drawing the Black Widow, the Scarlet Witch, and the Wasp.<br /><br />Are Ralph and Sue Dibney in the Reboot-U? My son was asking me about that the other night, and we were wondering if (actually hoping that) the Doctor Light-and-Sue episode might have gone away.Steve Mitchellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-42484135708973611662011-08-02T12:07:10.987-05:002011-08-02T12:07:10.987-05:00Scipio as I've said before, Iris, Jean, Lois, ...Scipio as I've said before, Iris, Jean, Lois, Lana, Catwoman, and especially Carol were really mean. Only Sue Dibny and Alannah Strange were nice and I think it's because they were married off fast. As for the others they were going to be two-dimensional jerks until a status quo change like marriage. <br /><br />As for Star Sapphire and Carol. I hate possessed characters. They are weak willed and don't take their actions into account and blame it on something else. When they were the ones with the capacity to do it and acted on it. If you disagree on that stance fine, but it's a sore subject that I hold against characters because it's a convenient excuse to murder and get away with it. At least before the Fear Bug Retcon Hal/Parallax had nothing to hide behind for his wicked actions but himself. <br /><br />Scipio I look forward to your thoughts on the rest of DCU marriages.Jimmyhttp://jimmythejiver@gmail.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-80845226590142353172011-08-02T10:42:30.581-05:002011-08-02T10:42:30.581-05:00Dan -- I don't buy the 'Period Portrayal&q...Dan -- I don't buy the 'Period Portrayal" excuse! There were a lot of OTHER girlfriends in the DCU pre-crisis; and it was IRIS who was the Mean One.<br /><br />Arynne -- Not exactly; but I'm headed toward a picture on Marriage for the DCU Icons.<br /><br />Sue - I would totally buy "Cute Action Scientists from Other Dimensions" if it were one of the new DCU titles!Scipiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12112155718721908876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-20189690070848192962011-08-02T08:31:49.622-05:002011-08-02T08:31:49.622-05:00I've been listening to the "Tom vs. the F...I've been listening to the "Tom vs. the Flash" podcast recently, and it seems like Iris mellowed out a bit once they were actually married.<br /><br />Still, it'd be fun to see Barry playing the field a little, but if Iris is going to be the Designated Eventual Future Partner, that has almost all the supposed drawbacks of married characters.<br /><br />Barry met a LOT of... basically "Cute Action Scientists from Other Dimensions" in the Silver Age. Personally, I'd like to see one of these CASODs as a long-term love interest! It'd be something they haven't done before, at least (or kinda Adam Strange in reverse, perhaps.)Suzanne de Nimes (suedenim)https://www.blogger.com/profile/08826380800930666815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-83457512754921954032011-08-02T01:26:09.799-05:002011-08-02T01:26:09.799-05:00So...are they eventually just going to declare the...So...are they eventually just going to declare there are no married superheroes?<br /><br />That honestly seems to be the status quo they'd prefer.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-74259347242921176112011-08-01T19:20:48.637-05:002011-08-01T19:20:48.637-05:00Too much is made of Iris's portrayal in the Fl...Too much is made of Iris's portrayal in the Flash comics. It is unfair to treat those old comics as if they were written today.<br /><br />We're talking about stories meant for young boys--who absolutely DO NOT CARE for realistic romances in superhero comics.<br /><br />Iris reflected what any young boy would think of a girlfriend or wife--a major drag. And just when we're thinking too highly of himself, there's Iris to knock him back to Earth (that's probably the only realism or depth allowed their relationship). There was no way Julius Schwartz was going to waste pages on showing any depth to her character or their relationship.<br /><br />Iris was just a plot device--something to give an extra dimension to Flash's adventure = a ticking clock, and a personal hurdle that Flash had to overcome while trying to enjoy each adventure.<br /><br />Scipio said himself that DC wasn't the place people go for characterization. And that's doubly true for any series under Julius Schwartz. Barry himself wasn't given room for much personality until the mid/late '70s.dannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-37003979208001531812011-08-01T17:37:23.678-05:002011-08-01T17:37:23.678-05:00Important distinction, SallyP:
Iris is mean and ...Important distinction, SallyP: <br /><br />Iris is mean and demeaning.<br />Jean is a violent lunatic.<br /><br />They are easy to confuse, as both can be quite embarrassing when you're out on a date.Scipiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12112155718721908876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-36469515266870726942011-08-01T17:19:49.488-05:002011-08-01T17:19:49.488-05:00Do we know any more than just that Barry is single...Do we know any more than just that Barry is single? Because that does not mean continuity has to go backwards.<br /><br />Barry was in witness protection for years, enough that he would be declared legally dead and Iris would no longer be a married woman. <br /><br />Now that Barry is back, he must re-romance Iris because so much time has passed that she has grown and they are not on the same page romantically anymore.<br /><br />I hope that's how they handle it, anyway. If not, wouldn't this mean that Barry is being returned to his '60s status quo and all the marriage/death/murder/trial/Crisis stuff is void?<br /><br />And is Iris still from the future or not?<br /><br />(Oh gawd I am hating this more and more! It's frickin 1986 all over again!!! Gaahhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-82083624147032212622011-08-01T16:51:51.503-05:002011-08-01T16:51:51.503-05:00I like Bryan's idea a lot- of giving Barry the...I like Bryan's idea a lot- of giving Barry the supporting cast of the t.v. series. I recall Scipio mentioning that he liked the Julio character (or at least the fact that the actor portraying him was the most talented of the performers). I would even like it if they added in additional elements. You could tie Barry in the Sandman, who was represented on the program by the Nightshade character. Or, maybe even better, just include Nightshade wholesale. Sure, he's got a similar gimmick to Sandman, but he was more active in the 50s and 60s than the golden age.<br /><br />-Citizen ScribblerCitizen Scribblernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-57318678885684410562011-08-01T16:18:54.663-05:002011-08-01T16:18:54.663-05:00I think they're going to have to pair Barry wi...I think they're going to have to pair Barry with Iris. There's still the whole Wally West thing, where Barry is "Uncle Barry" and not "some dude whose penile dimensions Aunt Iris mocks Barry".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-56734995367908077632011-08-01T16:06:16.644-05:002011-08-01T16:06:16.644-05:00Eh. If they're going to reboot, pair Barry up ...Eh. If they're going to reboot, pair Barry up with Tina McGee, like in the old TV series. She's smarter than he is, and arguably more successful, so she can hold her own, but they share common interests (science, natch). Plus she can help Barry on cases. Putting them together makes a whole lot more sense than Iris. And bring back Julio, while you're at it.Bryan Lnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-79873284185791886782011-08-01T15:24:05.531-05:002011-08-01T15:24:05.531-05:00Man, I thought that Jean was mean...but Iris is a ...Man, I thought that Jean was mean...but Iris is a bit of a harpy, isn't she?SallyPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05592635194271250605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-59650589237220267092011-08-01T15:06:05.161-05:002011-08-01T15:06:05.161-05:00When Carol Ferris was taken over by the Star Sapph...When Carol Ferris was taken over by the Star Sapphire, she was taken over by it. Possessed. Not acting of her own volition. Un-sapphirized Carol was no treat, but neither was she a murderer.<br /><br />There was a GL comic the other year where the Zamaronians were amazed that Carol is no longer overwhelmed by the violet energy, and can think with a clear head. It took her a long time to build to that, years of coping with otherworldy possession.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-56227589619225408822011-08-01T14:57:09.877-05:002011-08-01T14:57:09.877-05:00But Scip, Iris is making these remarks to a guy wh...But Scip, Iris is making these remarks to a guy who can run faster than light. Who fights guys wielding boomerangs and cold guns! He would have been on time for all those dates with Iris if he didn't spend a half an hour figuring out a novel way of knocking the flute out of the hands of the Pied Piper.<br />Silver Age writers thought guys with godlike powers needed to be brought down to size by their significant others. and I have to agree with them.Beta Ray Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01650980944037307904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-81277722424289212092011-08-01T14:00:20.288-05:002011-08-01T14:00:20.288-05:00I like my Iris ball busting and I like that shes d...I like my Iris ball busting and I like that shes doesn't put up with crap. She does cut Barry some slack too, but those instances are cut out of context. It doesn't make her a one note shrew. For many times she berates him or teases him she also compliments him and makes him feel good about himself. That said I'd like them to mature further instead of being stuck in caricature. I also don't want her bad side glossed over to copy the Wally-Linda formula either.<br /><br />People criticize Iris, Lois (and Jean Loring for that matter) for being mean (and psycho in Jean's case). Nobody likes mean significant others. It think we can all agree on that, but then why does The Queen Of Crazy Bitches Carol Ferris get a pass for her weak will and killing another superhero who was also someone's wife. Every bad quality of Carol gets swept under the rug. It's always 'poor Carol for putting up with Hal.' Now she's the face of female empowerment in The Green Lantern books and it is sickening. <br /><br />Sorry Scipio if I'm diverting an Iris-centric post, but it's an observation I've noticed from reading a lot of blogs.Jimmyhttp://jimmythejiver@gmail.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-36168799850535244702011-08-01T13:09:07.718-05:002011-08-01T13:09:07.718-05:00"The guy too fast to pin down and the woman w..."The guy too fast to pin down and the woman who can cut him down to size" sounds great in the abstract, but do you really think the DC Comics would risk the wrath of its very vocal feminist fans by portraying Iris as the stereotype of the ball-busting shrew? Yes, they used to write her this way, but they used to do all sorts of sexist things to which I would not like them to return. Perhaps such a portrayal would be possible if DC contained a multitude of feminine types; that is, if DC could plausibly claim that Iris represented a realistic portrayal of a certain type of woman that complimented all their other nuanced portrayals of DC girlfriends and wives. This would require her to be written as a fully-formed character, not as a symbol (Saint, Refrigerator Bait) as DC is wont to do.ralphdibnyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02221303143042751812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-75878667077152021232011-08-01T12:12:55.534-05:002011-08-01T12:12:55.534-05:00It's actually not harmless teasing if she deli...It's actually not harmless teasing if she deliberately hurts his feelings, or even inadvertantly hurts his feelings but doesn't care enough to apologize. Unless, of course, being hurt and emasculated by a shrew is what turns him on. Which could explain why he can't express--in a comic children might read--why he stays with her.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com