tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post8172863972049723826..comments2024-03-27T19:04:14.544-05:00Comments on The Absorbascon: The Story of the Human Flame, ExplicatedScipiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16217376618860561999noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-11442626249460620632021-09-04T18:48:32.812-05:002021-09-04T18:48:32.812-05:00"the DC Jesus is Zatara Zatara"
Close; ..."the DC Jesus is Zatara Zatara"<br /><br />Close; I would say the title of god-in-human-form goes to SPEED SAUNDERS, from the same creator as Zatara.Scipiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12112155718721908876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-35106996146564895992008-04-30T09:10:00.000-05:002008-04-30T09:10:00.000-05:00"Semi-serious?"If this is a "semi-serious" post, t..."Semi-serious?"<BR/><BR/>If this is a "semi-serious" post, then BORED OF THE RINGS is a semi-serious version of Tolkien.Gene Phillipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11495562795211277146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-7182386624822827462008-04-28T09:49:00.000-05:002008-04-28T09:49:00.000-05:00There actually is an accredited college in the US ...There actually is an accredited college in the US that offers a degree in popular culture: Bowling Green University in Bowling Green, Ohio.<BR/><BR/>Why Scipio isn't the dean of that college, I don't know.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-57103253046337148312008-04-28T08:48:00.000-05:002008-04-28T08:48:00.000-05:00Amazing analysis.You have, in 5 posts, gotten me m...Amazing analysis.<BR/><BR/>You have, in 5 posts, gotten me more excited for Final Crisis than 52 issues of Countdown could ever strive to.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-17535346792950299692008-04-26T14:06:00.000-05:002008-04-26T14:06:00.000-05:00Ah, a modern Prometheus, then.Scip, I would like t...Ah, a modern Prometheus, then.<BR/><BR/>Scip, I would like to add to the ever-burgeoning chorus of those who laud you with paeans for your always-entertaining (and semi-serious, or not --- it's hard to tell) exegeses of the comic world. You're always wonderfully entertaining and often enlightening, but this series has really brought out your best work in both areas.<BR/><BR/>...Man, those comics were badly written. Not just "for kids" badly written, but plain old "I do not care about logic or language as long as I gets my check" badly written.Chancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00226145896576592193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-87932212064402224922008-04-26T08:29:00.000-05:002008-04-26T08:29:00.000-05:00That was brilliant!That was <I>brilliant</I>!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-2307326921598783502008-04-26T06:25:00.000-05:002008-04-26T06:25:00.000-05:00Scipio, if the University of DC isn't sending you ...Scipio, if the University of DC isn't sending you a Doctorate in Comicology, then there is no justice in this world.SallyPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05592635194271250605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-5403823870952040812008-04-25T23:54:00.000-05:002008-04-25T23:54:00.000-05:00"use of the word "precinct"'Thanks; I wasn't sure ..."use of the word "precinct"'<BR/><BR/>Thanks; I wasn't sure anyone would notice that one!Scipiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16217376618860561999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-42992432630746059512008-04-25T22:53:00.000-05:002008-04-25T22:53:00.000-05:00Who is "Jesus?" Zook, obviously.Who is "Jesus?" Zook, obviously.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-92202573046616573512008-04-25T19:29:00.000-05:002008-04-25T19:29:00.000-05:00Absolutely fantastic. And to those who say "The li...Absolutely fantastic. And to those who say "The line between brilliant philosophy and high sarcasm has never been so blurry"...<BR/><BR/>That line is placed upon us by outside forces! I say there truly *is* no line. We only deceiver ourselves into believing the line exists.<BR/><BR/>And Scipio, I think you're right about what Morrison is going to do in Final Crisis. Now I fear it... But is that merely *my* religious upbringing conditioning me to fear the death of God?<BR/><BR/>My head hurts...Diamondrockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03489418142341597119noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-27213601719884532852008-04-25T15:47:00.000-05:002008-04-25T15:47:00.000-05:00What Garling, no reference whatsoever to the piece...What Garling, no reference whatsoever to the piece's homosexual subtext ( and/or overtones? )?.<BR/><BR/>I'm sorry, but your paper is failed.Gus Casalshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09623081734326460781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-25516345563669189062008-04-25T15:43:00.000-05:002008-04-25T15:43:00.000-05:00Great analysis, Scipio. Particularly, your clever ...Great analysis, Scipio. Particularly, your clever use of the word "precinct".<BR/><BR/>Maybe the comic book issues I don't like are a failure of my ability to comprehend them. If a supposed page-filler Martian Manhunter story is rich with such symbolism, that old Blasters Special is probably Proustian without me even knowing it.<BR/><BR/>And those runs of Green Lantern: Mosaic and Extreme Justice? I now see that the characters are drawn out of proportion to convey some important message about the human condition...<BR/><BR/>-Citizen ScribblerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-76157318388950870462008-04-25T15:16:00.000-05:002008-04-25T15:16:00.000-05:00I think DC is planning to include said bumper stic...I think DC is planning to include said bumper sticker with each issue of Final Crisis #1.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-39851713243256384782008-04-25T15:02:00.000-05:002008-04-25T15:02:00.000-05:00I now want a "Martian Manhunter Died For Our Sins"...I now want a "Martian Manhunter Died For Our Sins" bumper sticker for some reason.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-49816118370521001342008-04-25T14:22:00.000-05:002008-04-25T14:22:00.000-05:00Come on, the DC Jesus is Zatara ZataraCome on, the DC Jesus is Zatara ZataraJeff R.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10010142887152619337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-49760732772614816392008-04-25T13:52:00.000-05:002008-04-25T13:52:00.000-05:00That was really quite enjoyable. I don't have anyt...That was really quite enjoyable. I don't have anything witty or useful to add, so I'll just say thanks for writing all that, Scipio.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-33796528198269255412008-04-25T12:29:00.000-05:002008-04-25T12:29:00.000-05:00Scip,I say this out of respect, from one geek to a...Scip,<BR/><BR/>I say this out of respect, from one geek to another: You have way too much time on your hands.BIG MIKEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01365147999145372102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-89833967496507389372008-04-25T12:26:00.000-05:002008-04-25T12:26:00.000-05:00If the Martian Manhunter represents God in DC's Si...If the Martian Manhunter represents God in DC's Silver Age (and your brilliant exegesis has fully persuaded me on this point), then who represents Jesus? I'd say Mark Merlin; he descended into Ka and rose from the dead transformed as Prince Ra-Man. The Holy Spirit? Tough one, but I'm thinking maybe Streaky. And Satan? Probably Cave Carson, who spends far too much time mucking about in the subterranean realms.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-75322316559143124382008-04-25T11:03:00.000-05:002008-04-25T11:03:00.000-05:00Actually, it's all part of Morrison's obsessive ne...Actually, it's all part of Morrison's obsessive need to rebel against his religious upbringing. Recoiling at the idea that he, the great Grant Morrison, is merely a part of God's entire creation, he insists on creating worlds in which he himself is God (Animal Man, initial arc), or which God is reduced to a merely character (often an addled and inferior one, q.v. Doom Patrol).<BR/><BR/>Through Morrison, Man (the Human Flame) will destroy God (the Martian Manhunter) for is not the death of gods part of the story? But there will be a price to pay... .Scipiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16217376618860561999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-81764265964137553802008-04-25T10:43:00.000-05:002008-04-25T10:43:00.000-05:00[POSSIBLE SPOILER!]When the Human Flame vanquishes...[POSSIBLE SPOILER!]<BR/><BR/>When the Human Flame vanquishes J'onn in Final Crisis, what does this say? That humanity has finally successfully extinguished God/nature? And if the Human Flame agrees to succumb to the Anti-Life Equation, what does that say about us?<BR/><BR/>I shudder to think about it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-8562821522638027952008-04-25T10:03:00.000-05:002008-04-25T10:03:00.000-05:00You totally just spoiled Final Crisis, which was g...You totally just spoiled Final Crisis, which was going to be Grant Morrison's seven-issue retelling and analysis of this very story.B.G. Christensenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01604354633985676126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-13445570710574461662008-04-25T09:58:00.000-05:002008-04-25T09:58:00.000-05:00Scipio, this is either the most brilliant or crazi...Scipio, this is either the most brilliant or craziest thing I have ever read. I can't decide which.<BR/><BR/>On the theory that the Martian Manhunter is God, you should start your own religion based on that. Then, once you found your Church of the Divine Martian, you can apply for federal aid. The Bush administration has given billions of our tax dollars to "faith-based" organizations; how can they say what is and what isn't a religion?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-51459982914575384162008-04-25T09:41:00.000-05:002008-04-25T09:41:00.000-05:00This has been a great (hilarious, intelligent) ret...This has been a great (hilarious, intelligent) retelling/analysis of this story. Great work!<BR/><BR/>Reading this entry I couldn't help but think of the literary criticism term "promethean quest," which is of course based on the myth of Prometheus.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps the most famous of these characters is Mary Shelley's Dr. Frankenstein, who in his drive to create life symbolically stole fire from the gods and in the end was undone by his drive to succeed.<BR/><BR/>The Human Flame, humble as he might be with that mustache, fits in very nicely in this tradition. Allegorical name and crappy costume included.EZhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14259091091541907099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-76187223253694159412008-04-25T09:35:00.000-05:002008-04-25T09:35:00.000-05:00Wow. The line between brilliant philosophy and hig...Wow. The line between brilliant philosophy and high sarcasm has never been so blurry. Blurry kinda like J'onn's powers and fighting strategy.<BR/><BR/>Of course the hidden mythological parables are always why I preferred DC, even with the apparently meaningless, crappy-dialoged silver-age stuff.Brushwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13103181968128910654noreply@blogger.com