tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-117374412024-03-18T04:48:56.117-05:00The AbsorbasconScipiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16217376618860561999noreply@blogger.comBlogger2773125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-40804649421447203172023-12-22T00:29:00.000-05:002023-12-22T00:29:09.638-05:00Aquaman II<p>Today I saw Aquaman II.</p><p>It's a lot of movie. Or, should I say, a lot of movieS, considering how much of it is set pieces cribbed from other films and property. Perhaps James Wan was possessed by the ghost of Bob Kane.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioY-_sour0lF0sS4dc8MKRP9-CIrZubC2Qqw7S68jktI0W0saB7p0DUV5bbLfD-Js81QNb8FOEzfDdBOCJfhskV9YNPICLTgiF6megGT6-E7DiBAk7tgY-Ub6z9REykkLN0wFRJfXzji6r4Y665WPacX2rPVzI32uuP7ZN_rzf2Zkdg6yWx4hN8U_wQ10f/s900/F9Kwu-BXAAAWS5V.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioY-_sour0lF0sS4dc8MKRP9-CIrZubC2Qqw7S68jktI0W0saB7p0DUV5bbLfD-Js81QNb8FOEzfDdBOCJfhskV9YNPICLTgiF6megGT6-E7DiBAk7tgY-Ub6z9REykkLN0wFRJfXzji6r4Y665WPacX2rPVzI32uuP7ZN_rzf2Zkdg6yWx4hN8U_wQ10f/w512-h640/F9Kwu-BXAAAWS5V.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perhaps, like Topo, Wan's main power is mimicry.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>The film is visually... overwhelming. There seems to be even more happening even faster than in the first film and while it is certainly impactful, so is getting hit with a whale</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1dfXYwlP0PfBuiDv-mxerr0PDa-Tfj5AS3XGZZ9XrajTXDEZqI6IvHvorLxvWD-LAHsftSBArKpOwFZBpa9XtUdhVuYQ9meX9l-hdEAGweUVxjkbPIehOtc-iqcD4QWrjCpstxpjlh_BbseEuuN3jXG0mdVWfzqbMLz_mI6owEFH_LweiSyTBda5kXQvW/s1280/maxresdefault-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1dfXYwlP0PfBuiDv-mxerr0PDa-Tfj5AS3XGZZ9XrajTXDEZqI6IvHvorLxvWD-LAHsftSBArKpOwFZBpa9XtUdhVuYQ9meX9l-hdEAGweUVxjkbPIehOtc-iqcD4QWrjCpstxpjlh_BbseEuuN3jXG0mdVWfzqbMLz_mI6owEFH_LweiSyTBda5kXQvW/w640-h360/maxresdefault-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just ask Namor.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>There is no doubt the visuals are beautiful, but honestly I am mostly deducing that, because my brain had insufficient time to PROCESS the images as they were presented and supplanted by the next.</p><p>Jason Momoa is, well, Jason Momoa, and always is pretty much playing Jason Momoa not just in this film but in any film, because Americans don't want who actors who play different parts, they want movie stars who play stereotyped versions of themselves. I don't blame the American film industry for this, but the parasocial obsessions of American movie-goers.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiDJ0qg5ICQYNH16y8FX9gD-F5c2aEyHtsHWdPpMI4EBxEWDE_qiGDqPu-KYGP_BU0OXKqE6VqVzdryu2ms3UZnW_B5QGrtN1a9pKeiMgPgoY_94mHKjY_jP1b6aHb2vZG8CdLyNEMN4YhoT4K9q5oM6M7X2hDAt3WRCN1asyA0R1K5U0YfvClqV4ApFV3/s720/1*OD_NWX3WIIIWWrg_VTZopA.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="720" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiDJ0qg5ICQYNH16y8FX9gD-F5c2aEyHtsHWdPpMI4EBxEWDE_qiGDqPu-KYGP_BU0OXKqE6VqVzdryu2ms3UZnW_B5QGrtN1a9pKeiMgPgoY_94mHKjY_jP1b6aHb2vZG8CdLyNEMN4YhoT4K9q5oM6M7X2hDAt3WRCN1asyA0R1K5U0YfvClqV4ApFV3/w640-h360/1*OD_NWX3WIIIWWrg_VTZopA.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pictured: range.<br />Unfortunately, no pictures of his summer stock turn as "Professor" Harold Hill were available.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>He also has gotten way too puffy-faced, even though he's not really that old (42). He does look great -- huge-- in the classic orange scale-mail shirt, but given the lack of any shirtless scenes and his incredibly blousy civilian wear it's clear that he's not in superhero shape and won't be again. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheNc3stdvuW6WX_hpMtfgkVEncCldKooGzOO7eXLtkGn_L0GHISkbsg84STEUic_JNZAr14fYYeOcVEXipKYb6J_FlVKwkC6cH9h8SR3lj-TB6ik120nB8lgo7TG0mR4ajN4alUpH65SHD2hrOwsKuUXEEGy1zwa1FUqG9EBjuUyy8yVYzUos-dBtR8FC_/s640/aquaman-goodbye.gif.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="520" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheNc3stdvuW6WX_hpMtfgkVEncCldKooGzOO7eXLtkGn_L0GHISkbsg84STEUic_JNZAr14fYYeOcVEXipKYb6J_FlVKwkC6cH9h8SR3lj-TB6ik120nB8lgo7TG0mR4ajN4alUpH65SHD2hrOwsKuUXEEGy1zwa1FUqG9EBjuUyy8yVYzUos-dBtR8FC_/w520-h640/aquaman-goodbye.gif.webp" width="520" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Say good-bye to that bod, folks. It has sunk beneath the waves of time.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p> Before the beard and long-hair were biker-sexy. Now it just says "bear night at the leather bar."</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5elSUYlPyJq_X33ccsQk8veD24ADhsdsGYxENcsOi9QekrgaNlTrKRIcMB3sKuH4aglohJNY1O0mLH_FcZm6fPr9eZ-TaKHG98xhFzeZSdLWVpmq0yMUm3vR_I78Ppyjh4s676JzXopP5_qmeKZ6nII3ztZM2u9F5pNbQldGeBnnnnCpzdhQ7dxmvqLc/s773/patrick-wilson-c7193a2755bc442a841f28b671aae26d.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="773" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5elSUYlPyJq_X33ccsQk8veD24ADhsdsGYxENcsOi9QekrgaNlTrKRIcMB3sKuH4aglohJNY1O0mLH_FcZm6fPr9eZ-TaKHG98xhFzeZSdLWVpmq0yMUm3vR_I78Ppyjh4s676JzXopP5_qmeKZ6nII3ztZM2u9F5pNbQldGeBnnnnCpzdhQ7dxmvqLc/w620-h640/patrick-wilson-c7193a2755bc442a841f28b671aae26d.jpg" width="620" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patrick "Orm" Wilson has extended shirtless scenes in the film. And those scenes say "DILF".<br />He's five years <u>older</u> than Momoa. </td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>Speaking of Orm, there are some who are saying that the buddy-comedy part of the film that focuses on the relationship between the half-brothers are the best part of the film. I am not one of them. It wasn't completely cringey, but it stank of Thor-Loki. One's an uptight haughty supervillain; the other's an irreverent bro-dude superhero; together, they fight crime and make wan jibes at each other.</p><p>Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (still) isn't very charismatic or even just very good as Black Manta. But he doesn't really have to be, since all Black Manta. has to be is vengeful.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhgdkp9rzN2mmETOSFfZe87bwO0gmjx1BJ3v9l4wATrqJk3Bl7wupa5WAKA0ytgjp2lg0YeAxNs6z0wFx7g-QePRgW0h424iRs6qytXoaLfMeKi3If5637i3vmekbNeDovnbyPWQzVxZggZpP5RA5J9Be1F7sb_JsmRHxjAABDH9mwL7aoaZupoC1Hf04/s1200/aquaman-2-synopsis-black-manta.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhgdkp9rzN2mmETOSFfZe87bwO0gmjx1BJ3v9l4wATrqJk3Bl7wupa5WAKA0ytgjp2lg0YeAxNs6z0wFx7g-QePRgW0h424iRs6qytXoaLfMeKi3If5637i3vmekbNeDovnbyPWQzVxZggZpP5RA5J9Be1F7sb_JsmRHxjAABDH9mwL7aoaZupoC1Hf04/w640-h360/aquaman-2-synopsis-black-manta.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And he's only a threat because some ancient evil Atlantis-adjacent tyrant is using him as a hand-puppet, because doesn't it ALWAYS come back to some ancient evil Atlantis-tyrant at some point? </td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>I have front-loaded the downsides of the film, as I usually do in a review of anything. But know that I did still enjoy the film. I mean, it has the Neal Pozner stealth uniform, Art Junior sending little concentric rings of marine telepathy from his forehead, and TOPO RIDING STORM THE SEA-HORSE. For that kind of fan-service, I can forgive a lot. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvFe1dtnSGmMmkuFwcQx-TAm2yt6q7azO-YT0bmNqRLwXIHE1pCmJE-q1z2uUP0aOAdzNSWv1jytle214qf445HUygXxF-QEpRux-IafOEsdUbiLnL_l8iJyTxFSgWbVqfZ5GAbgtlI0c1cstyIQNWcUf3_1T7LW6eYQgGz61GP2Vt5K3irlC1ABqLDIFl/s1000/MCDAQAN_WB015.jpg.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvFe1dtnSGmMmkuFwcQx-TAm2yt6q7azO-YT0bmNqRLwXIHE1pCmJE-q1z2uUP0aOAdzNSWv1jytle214qf445HUygXxF-QEpRux-IafOEsdUbiLnL_l8iJyTxFSgWbVqfZ5GAbgtlI0c1cstyIQNWcUf3_1T7LW6eYQgGz61GP2Vt5K3irlC1ABqLDIFl/w640-h360/MCDAQAN_WB015.jpg.webp" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The costume looks awesome. I think live action has helped people realize how cool Aquaman's costume actually is; it just DRAWS poorly.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>Watching the first film, I found enough fun and novelty to distract me from the film's flaws, which I felt only upon reflection. In the second film, however, I was conscious of the film's flaws AS I was watching it; THAT was distracting. </p><p>P.S. My hot-take?</p><p>The film shows us that Arthur Junior has Arthur's aquatic telepathy </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ySNMRNrfiaEcsqBOQMLuGY5tArke01ax37zXJKsVo8LLBYJSwxtM-hV3zfLwmQdFNTmf51lcQWcqFrwPaqL3eWrjTXnNfNhoS8lJ7C5-n9L80YJ42jOb9hwyhodL-WUz9Hgl0Pm_B2WJreZ-FzEOQY-_syCaWyIj0dWweWcvavbzdbPA1EAto4z0vdRC/s410/bdbd4957b12d8e442bd9c7bac1c76a96.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="308" data-original-width="410" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ySNMRNrfiaEcsqBOQMLuGY5tArke01ax37zXJKsVo8LLBYJSwxtM-hV3zfLwmQdFNTmf51lcQWcqFrwPaqL3eWrjTXnNfNhoS8lJ7C5-n9L80YJ42jOb9hwyhodL-WUz9Hgl0Pm_B2WJreZ-FzEOQY-_syCaWyIj0dWweWcvavbzdbPA1EAto4z0vdRC/w640-h480/bdbd4957b12d8e442bd9c7bac1c76a96.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>and he is the child of Mera, who has aquakinesis.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieGxaFU1FPXhksfBzlQ9v3OnNFKBZVVyz1lJ0J9BAlC7XbVV8MTzte3134fJkm595_gPu_23vHQmTHa0GqCPdA5gZEzMxPGycJboOfig3ZQFboklNsWROWOyeGZtvPux4XXUxK2tjxegxDUQjk6EFheE9YWtODhkjNTTCTTbY7bi_SoLG8ewnurU12AYbI/s480/hqdefault-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieGxaFU1FPXhksfBzlQ9v3OnNFKBZVVyz1lJ0J9BAlC7XbVV8MTzte3134fJkm595_gPu_23vHQmTHa0GqCPdA5gZEzMxPGycJboOfig3ZQFboklNsWROWOyeGZtvPux4XXUxK2tjxegxDUQjk6EFheE9YWtODhkjNTTCTTbY7bi_SoLG8ewnurU12AYbI/w640-h480/hqdefault-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEHOLD MY AQUABALLS</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>There I deduce that the Filmation Aquaman is, in fact, Arthur Curry JUNIOR, not senior.</p><div><br /></div>Scipiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12112155718721908876noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-42373460280667602672023-12-20T21:47:00.001-05:002023-12-20T21:47:13.807-05:00Merry Little Batman<p>Today I watched <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15352516/reviews?ref_=tt_urv" target="_blank">Merry Little Batman.</a> As anyone who knows me in the slightest knows, I am, it is fair to say, "not a Christmas person."</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpEyXZJuHRdxq3Qk_kBOZSHTOgN0-Ky4wdMs3zvX-scFvXZ8VqYbdcVE-VyCGEmlwyi5RYjT19tj9jdG3PT6ntVqnEwTtidBV4dGQJNJm9bcj-lVvpta6O_5WF4sD2KEdwEMrZ0XlpOnAvvCGUdbn2qdXG8sLR3od5kUBoOykgPJSoii79DXE/s1386/thegrinch570.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1386" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpEyXZJuHRdxq3Qk_kBOZSHTOgN0-Ky4wdMs3zvX-scFvXZ8VqYbdcVE-VyCGEmlwyi5RYjT19tj9jdG3PT6ntVqnEwTtidBV4dGQJNJm9bcj-lVvpta6O_5WF4sD2KEdwEMrZ0XlpOnAvvCGUdbn2qdXG8sLR3od5kUBoOykgPJSoii79DXE/w640-h416/thegrinch570.webp" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pictured: Not a Christmas Person.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>My idea of Christmas movies is "Black Christmas" (the original), "It's a Wonderful Knife", or "Dead End" (2004). </p><p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgraxJsUbbd47_5RHkJ4dFOQYrYNQ8h2FUdS4P3Y14tFrEHrZSRocGwyBMTAihE9bkG95Y4r8RuYrEyaUgBjVVRIwOdz2JbELbrqZt96oIj3u9HLE74CNj6-CSH5Q__1Ga2hQ9riS14d3kJHbTLcxhpMU80CdkbX7C5n71BhNgMs6MPKOCN3Zek/s2206/Screenshot%202023-12-20%20at%209.03.44%E2%80%AFPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1118" data-original-width="2206" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgraxJsUbbd47_5RHkJ4dFOQYrYNQ8h2FUdS4P3Y14tFrEHrZSRocGwyBMTAihE9bkG95Y4r8RuYrEyaUgBjVVRIwOdz2JbELbrqZt96oIj3u9HLE74CNj6-CSH5Q__1Ga2hQ9riS14d3kJHbTLcxhpMU80CdkbX7C5n71BhNgMs6MPKOCN3Zek/w640-h324/Screenshot%202023-12-20%20at%209.03.44%E2%80%AFPM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Over the river and through the woods, to grandmother's house we go..."</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>I <u>am</u>, however, a Batman person. And so I watched <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15352516/?ref_=tt_urv" target="_blank">"Merry Little Batman."</a></p><p>The bad? The hideous, off-putting "Sponge Bob style" animation. The wildly inappropriate song choices, which if I had been watching this film with a child would have caused me to turn it off immediately. Some cartoony violence that's more Looney Toons than Batman (which is odd, since Warner Bros. passed on releasing this film themselves and gave it to M-G-M as some sort of tax write-off / holiday gift). There seems to be some sort of Brit-tinged "edgy" humo(u)r that colors a lot of these decisions, which is also odd since the director is from Allentown.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-G0o8V8JKpNffgI-NkBN7g8AVI0SH6B67cZKBrqUGYynM5mfbUNiStcAAPaSanOGsT0sVycE60dEDIL24mvvnLd_7L6QuS83fDDLksr01cgxUX-7RvMy4Wu005dQhvn3V4P1EA7c6xAFAvnlUavqPLsKg59LSxpRrbxSvYeBMJOpH-DP9Tq48/s2560/63742-Allentown.jpg.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-G0o8V8JKpNffgI-NkBN7g8AVI0SH6B67cZKBrqUGYynM5mfbUNiStcAAPaSanOGsT0sVycE60dEDIL24mvvnLd_7L6QuS83fDDLksr01cgxUX-7RvMy4Wu005dQhvn3V4P1EA7c6xAFAvnlUavqPLsKg59LSxpRrbxSvYeBMJOpH-DP9Tq48/w640-h360/63742-Allentown.jpg.webp" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perhaps it's Allentown's long-festering yule-envy of neighboring Bethlehem, which gets all the Christmas tourism.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>And the <u>severely</u> mixed messaging of young Damian learning that eight-year-olds are, unsurprisingly and obviously, definitely totally not ready to fight crime and of his father Bruce learning that eight-year-old are, suddenly and inexplicably, definitely totally ready to fight crime.</p>But there is a good. It got a few belly laughs out of me, which was a pleasant surprise. The idea of villains who have grown elderly is one I've seldom seen. Damian's natural talent for collateral damage not being a cartoon throwaway but a crux of the plot was an enjoyable twist. And seeing a Joker who has grown sentimental but no less dangerous, manipulative was an unexpected delight.<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhox-h_-B3kHaDiK_PikYozCrLpE5UD8xYzNEyE0yY6nvyoK-7m1hEmh5MKWRpPyUS38txqE18INiCdkLKw9KgcKUUe1tVZrSN_0Ow0Af9KM0nTbM-XmKYXrMyV2QM-3lEYlGPRjuwIX8MIHW8pdpob3QqZEvZDvnBWwcovm-ewsInHk4lfX3GK/s2288/Screenshot%202023-12-20%20at%209.42.44%E2%80%AFPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1168" data-original-width="2288" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhox-h_-B3kHaDiK_PikYozCrLpE5UD8xYzNEyE0yY6nvyoK-7m1hEmh5MKWRpPyUS38txqE18INiCdkLKw9KgcKUUe1tVZrSN_0Ow0Af9KM0nTbM-XmKYXrMyV2QM-3lEYlGPRjuwIX8MIHW8pdpob3QqZEvZDvnBWwcovm-ewsInHk4lfX3GK/w640-h326/Screenshot%202023-12-20%20at%209.42.44%E2%80%AFPM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's not easy to portray a Joker who is both silly and insidious, but they nailed it.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>It is definitely not "destined to be a classic". But unless you are the starchiest of Batman fans, you will probably get some enjoyment out of "Merry Little Batman".</div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Scipiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12112155718721908876noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-86374011757110515892023-11-29T15:46:00.006-05:002023-11-29T16:06:01.575-05:00Correcting an oversight<p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">There's a comic book creator whose recent work has impressed me and I've failed to mention it, but today I correct that oversight.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">That creator is, improbably, Chip Zdarksy.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Now, I have said plenty of bad words about Zdarsky's work and every word was much deserved. I take none of that back. In fact, I'm going to start by adding a few more...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">His recent "Gotham War" trivializes itself by driving by utilizing the old "Batman Frazzled Beyond His Limits" and "Batman versus Everyone Else" motifs that are somehow both trite and out of character for Batman. He draws semi-arbitrary lines and puts Bat-characters on either side of moral/stragetic debate in the War Against Crime. Because, you know, nothing says IMPORTANT drama than heroes, especially ones who work closely together, FIGHTING ONE ANOTHER rather than, I dunno, criminals and because someone still thinks he's writing for Marvel.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">It also included silly Morrison-manqué touches (such as the Batman of Zurh-An-Arrrh), laughable plot-twists (like Vandal Savage BUYING Wayne Manor, without Bruce knowing), false deaths (courtesy of Clayface), and... the list goes on.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">In some ways, the execution of this storyline simply couldn't be worse. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">But I refuse to let that blind even me, hard-core Zdarksy anti-fan that I am, to the fact that:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">the STORYLINE is nothing short of g-d brilliant.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">The storyline, in case you have not been following it, is essentially that Catwoman siphons away all the goons that populate the gangs of all of Gotham City's kooky costumed criminals.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img alt="DVD: Filmation's The Adventures of Batman Finally Comes To DVD - HollywoodGoneGeek.com" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" jsaction="VQAsE" jsname="kn3ccd" src="https://monstar.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451887569e201a5119406f4970c-600wi" style="height: 428px; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 600px; width: 600px;" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan;">The Joker! Clown Prince of Crime!<br /></span><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXoyPNkDTa8iQHOMwMP96MusHsTniMID5lzn_Ev-4-7cInXmOI0VuWiK3cmEbMTqqdtB75fHLRHOdsW6aF7MK6ZF7LZz6tq1uOuN9TGhR7NXxb_QRTk92qiQsnK1KF8cx08XNwh-YBxJnUwemq5VFlyb-VWBu5tdJeeXq4hU2AaexX0dXk0wt/s618/Screenshot%202023-11-29%20at%203.48.33%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="436" data-original-width="618" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXoyPNkDTa8iQHOMwMP96MusHsTniMID5lzn_Ev-4-7cInXmOI0VuWiK3cmEbMTqqdtB75fHLRHOdsW6aF7MK6ZF7LZz6tq1uOuN9TGhR7NXxb_QRTk92qiQsnK1KF8cx08XNwh-YBxJnUwemq5VFlyb-VWBu5tdJeeXq4hU2AaexX0dXk0wt/w640-h452/Screenshot%202023-11-29%20at%203.48.33%20PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "League Spartan"; font-size: x-large;">The Penguin! Pudgy purveyor of perfidy!</span><br style="font-family: "League Spartan";" /><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large; text-align: left;"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGoRd5ZRCka0wqPzkOK5Hp_eUI_9B_u2jMInIE31quTsFTNBQ-EBNTLY1njb_BS4WvedekKnto1JgJ8pkAUaUF4ZxLa-RVrurGU7Rv44jsgGNJLHrHUTcWnIXjgcdasCI-hsClTgX5JCQL5eMU4igCiIuQFpiHBCYOmXzdI2aWQI81MK1P4Rf/s251/images-3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="201" data-original-width="251" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGoRd5ZRCka0wqPzkOK5Hp_eUI_9B_u2jMInIE31quTsFTNBQ-EBNTLY1njb_BS4WvedekKnto1JgJ8pkAUaUF4ZxLa-RVrurGU7Rv44jsgGNJLHrHUTcWnIXjgcdasCI-hsClTgX5JCQL5eMU4igCiIuQFpiHBCYOmXzdI2aWQI81MK1P4Rf/w400-h321/images-3.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">and the cool, CRUEL, Mistah Freeze!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Et al., of course. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">She does so to teach them to work ON THEIR OWN as BETTER criminals but NON-VIOLENT ones who target only "worthwhile" scores (that is, to say, rich people). And violent crime PLUMMETS in Gotham. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">This is so brilliant, for a variety of reasons, even typing it makes my teeth hurt. Here's a few. This is old-style, Golden Age plotting, where <b>Our Criminal Of The Month</b> has <b>Some New Scheme, Theme, Or Tactic</b>. This is the **** that MADE most still-used Golden Age villains FAMOUS in the first place. "The House That Joker Built"; "The Penguin Takes a Flyer Into the Future"; the Beauty Shop of Elva Barr; old comics were FULL of plots where 'some new wrinkle' would be brought to bear against Gotham (or Batman). Instead of having each of these schemes performed by The Ugly Suit gang or some such throwaways, writers used already familiar and popular costumed criminals as the perpetrators. This made the stories more memorable because of the colorful criminal and made the criminal more memorable by showing, through a new gimmick, that they were more than one-trick ponies.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img alt="Detective 128 – The Joker's crimes in reverse | Babblings about DC Comics" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" jsaction="VQAsE" jsname="kn3ccd" src="https://ultraboy8888.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/tec_128.png" style="-webkit-user-drag: auto; -webkit-user-select: text; height: 659px; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 454px; width: 454px;" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">What do crimes in reverse have to do with THE JOKER?<br />Nothing. Absolutely nothing. It's just an amusingly ironic idea that popped into his head one day. This is the secret to Batman's longtime villains' longevity: their versatility.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Catwoman running a "school for larceny" is exactly such a scheme. The Golden Age teams with stories about masterminds who run 'academies' where they teach criminals to <b>Rob Better</b> or who sell 'foolproof' crime-plans to members of the Ugly Suit Gang.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" height="400" loading="lazy" src="https://i0.wp.com/3.bp.blogspot.com/_5ju0fDMneXA/S-cx12jXO6I/AAAAAAAAAbI/OCKK1ynDYuU/s400/Batman%203-3%20-2%20recut.JPG?resize=340%2C400&ssl=1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="340" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">The Faginesque "Crime College" from <i>Batman</i> #3</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8eF6SxzDIk7SU6YwVZj1KdphButDSP1x8HRHnzbqfJaacEz1Vxpg8AbFoEO50RCno-ykK07F190IEx__ImFznl83ESamYf84tcFe_mP1KLZqZNQ-El_vpZP93pXXFBCRM32iu_mdAhRaEahlUEDyOF9a5uv7UCeXTNMKLVw0OAq9p0jo58mg/s1288/Screenshot%202023-11-29%20at%203.50.54%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="824" data-original-width="1288" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8eF6SxzDIk7SU6YwVZj1KdphButDSP1x8HRHnzbqfJaacEz1Vxpg8AbFoEO50RCno-ykK07F190IEx__ImFznl83ESamYf84tcFe_mP1KLZqZNQ-El_vpZP93pXXFBCRM32iu_mdAhRaEahlUEDyOF9a5uv7UCeXTNMKLVw0OAq9p0jo58mg/w640-h410/Screenshot%202023-11-29%20at%203.50.54%20PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "League Spartan"; font-size: x-large;">As this excerpt from a 1982 story ("The Academy of Crime") shows, the phenomenon was not confined to the Golden Age.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">So, look, that aspect of the plot is by no means original. But Zdarsky is using the Golden Age method of putting this otherwise generic plot under the banner of the Catwoman. This is another part of the brilliance of the plot: it is rooted firmly in Catwoman's historical characterization as being a THIEF who avoids KILLING. The plot is character-based.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">In Catwoman's case, however, she's not doing it (solely) for profit or power. It's also her way of FIGHTING CRIME... with CRIME. She's doing it to help keep Gotham City SAFE. That's not only NOVEL, it's shear genius. Catwoman is remaking Gotham's underworld in her own image and IT WORKS, because it has drained away all the raw goon-power that Gotham's kooky criminals</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img alt="The Single Best Sequence of FILMATION BATMAN | 13th Dimension, Comics, Creators, Culture" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" height="463" jsaction="VQAsE" jsname="kn3ccd" src="https://13thdimension.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Screen-Shot-2017-04-09-at-1.20.17-PM.png" style="height: 552px; margin: 0.5px auto; max-width: 899px; width: 763px;" width="640" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">Look out, criminals! Here come... <br />Batman and Robin!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">are dependent upon to cause all the mayhem that they do. This is painfully clever. As readers, we are just accustomed to assuming the goons are available in plentiful supply to these people; they are just part of the scenery. Zdarsky smartly goes right to the heart of that assumption and turns it against that: does that HAVE to be the case? What if it's NOT, and what could deplete the supply? And his answer is original and (comic book) realistic; not the reformation or capture of all these goon, but rather their empowerment as independent operators. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">It's also brilliant because, of all people, Chip Zdarsky finally is the writer WHO GETS WHAT CATWOMAN IS. Catwoman is not a hero; Catwoman isn't even an anti-hero. She's a criminal, but a practical one with a conscience. Only simplistic writers (and readers) think that characters must either be All-Good or All-Bad.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img alt="BATMAN THE GOLDEN AGE Omnibus Volume 9 – Buds Art Books" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" jsaction="VQAsE" jsname="kn3ccd" src="https://www.budsartbooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/batg09h-batman-golden-age-omni-vol-9-book_4.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: auto; -webkit-user-select: text; height: 568px; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 400px; width: 400px;" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">If only the Batman mythos had some character that could serve as a constant reminder of this fact.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Zdarsky has some of Batman's team slowly being seduced to Catwoman's way of thinking; violent crime is down, and the victims of the new wave of thefts are, frankly, people who are not objectively harmed by the loss of their excess property. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img alt="Jason Todd Stealing Tires" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" jsaction="VQAsE" jsname="kn3ccd" src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/ad07d3b7648d5aebcbfecdc82ea95387/tumblr_inline_n276deT3ms1qd2lvk.jpg" style="-webkit-user-drag: auto; -webkit-user-select: text; height: 353px; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 500px; width: 500px;" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">Three guesses which member of the Bat-Family is most attracted by Catwoman's approach.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">And it frees up the Bat-fam to focus on more serious crimes if they simply 'wink and nod' a bit to what Catwoman's doing. What's not to like?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5jtXGP16Ur_k7vhNPa9vzXgS2zd_JPJO4ATBmJvrCvGJaRAuTE_SJ2zbFo1giCAiW9rj5OQPiEDa4bI6DEXsOoNeTPCPTW87PhAq8xIH-ktC7zKrcAYvswm974Ja_TDvMTcYmCw5yjWDqTbAAsAK6BvmnSszOADBabvTqf4CAFwfzGSPX9yuo/s724/Screenshot%202023-11-29%20at%202.55.43%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="566" data-original-width="724" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5jtXGP16Ur_k7vhNPa9vzXgS2zd_JPJO4ATBmJvrCvGJaRAuTE_SJ2zbFo1giCAiW9rj5OQPiEDa4bI6DEXsOoNeTPCPTW87PhAq8xIH-ktC7zKrcAYvswm974Ja_TDvMTcYmCw5yjWDqTbAAsAK6BvmnSszOADBabvTqf4CAFwfzGSPX9yuo/w640-h500/Screenshot%202023-11-29%20at%202.55.43%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">After all, what harm can it really do...?</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Batman, naturally, finds plenty to not-like. Batman is very good at finding things to not-like. He rightly points how indulging crime, of any type, will not have good results and how inevitably this democratization of crime will lead to unplanned and unpleasant results by those clumsier than Catwoman. Which, you know, is exactly what does happen. Because Batman doesn't do "wrong".</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img alt="13 GREAT THINGS About Filmation's 1968 BATMAN Cartoon | 13th Dimension, Comics, Creators, Culture" aria-hidden="false" class="sFlh5c pT0Scc iPVvYb" height="360" jsaction="VQAsE" jsname="kn3ccd" src="https://13thdimension.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/31749series.jpeg" style="height: 429px; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 780px; width: 762px;" width="640" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">"..to protect life, limb, AND PROPERTY as Batman and Robin". <br />Bruce wrote that himself; doesn't want anybody stealing his Batman stuff.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Too many writers like to depict Batman as stupid or blinded by obsession. But Batman is simply the adult in the room. He is not swayed by your magical thinking, he knows there are no easy solutions. The World's Greatest Detective and has no trouble deducing the mess that will inevitably result from Catwoman's plan.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR7Lc7b3Sj41rq1fWPtFzIVGRyOBHJvYpvsJriBFfv7rfC_7ps6PfbuGOQitc7XTPYVz334zLOAuGpB2dVMGXSn6sF0JShlsI1W5BoQUMUhCNb8JduTWebSiCIQGdDBwM72W81lzx4Kob99xbIvnkjr3Abj1SaMHU5BiYnsS2rgbnYGdAckJm9/s1002/Screenshot%202023-11-29%20at%203.20.41%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1002" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR7Lc7b3Sj41rq1fWPtFzIVGRyOBHJvYpvsJriBFfv7rfC_7ps6PfbuGOQitc7XTPYVz334zLOAuGpB2dVMGXSn6sF0JShlsI1W5BoQUMUhCNb8JduTWebSiCIQGdDBwM72W81lzx4Kob99xbIvnkjr3Abj1SaMHU5BiYnsS2rgbnYGdAckJm9/w640-h638/Screenshot%202023-11-29%20at%203.20.41%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">Batman is the adult in the room. <br />If you just remember that, every story with him in it makes a lot more sense.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Batman-- despite the "I'm Batman"reputation-- has a much more realistic sense of his limitations than Catwoman, in her criminal egotism, does. Zdarksy uses this conflict to drive a wedge between the two characters and IT'S ABOUT DAMNED TIME SOMEBODY DID. Golden Age Batman knew it; Adam West's Batman knew it; heck, even Robert Pattinson's Batman got it: <b>Batman and Catwoman have essential worldviews that render them incompatible.</b> Are they hot for each other? Do they lurve each other? Maybe; who cares? They truly have--have had-- "irreconcilable differences" for some 80 years and cannot be together as a result. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img alt="JSA Gotham War" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1880829" data-opt-lazy-loaded="true" data-opt-optimized-height="286" data-opt-otimized-width="600" data-opt-src="https://mlpnk72yciwc.i.optimole.com/cqhiHLc.IIZS~2ef73/w:600/h:286/q:75/https://bleedingcool.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/jsa-b.jpg" height="286" src="https://mlpnk72yciwc.i.optimole.com/cqhiHLc.IIZS~2ef73/w:600/h:286/q:75/https://bleedingcool.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/jsa-b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">There is only ONE reason for Batman & Catwoman to finally "get together" and it's Huntress and Geoff Johns has ALREADY plopped her back into existence (as he does, when motivated), so that reason is GONE.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">For that ALONE, Zdarsky deserves my, and everyone's, thanks.</span></div>Scipiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12112155718721908876noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-87483111923639240172023-11-28T05:11:00.005-05:002023-11-28T05:11:00.132-05:00JEAN, JEAN, THE CRAZY MACHINE<p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"> THIS JUST IN:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwR7BLEpxR17Jhg6ThcB96R3nOBre4KrjlrmImrWZ0PMT43mJkLNf3lbJsRM0G-T-9xmi5nnfY7ltDqcJS9QvhyphenhyphenhR8rz7lf4-gczXgYLbBbJODaa2jNWkpkjabTWhGkWDEWlqjFllY-B3y5vToGA9s0MorMc_QI7Us909R200_Bulb57g_Abrb/s400/on%20earth%20jea.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="400" height="592" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwR7BLEpxR17Jhg6ThcB96R3nOBre4KrjlrmImrWZ0PMT43mJkLNf3lbJsRM0G-T-9xmi5nnfY7ltDqcJS9QvhyphenhyphenhR8rz7lf4-gczXgYLbBbJODaa2jNWkpkjabTWhGkWDEWlqjFllY-B3y5vToGA9s0MorMc_QI7Us909R200_Bulb57g_Abrb/w640-h592/on%20earth%20jea.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Now, THAT is something to talk about!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">The last time that anyone heard from Jean Loring, she had been stripped of the power of Eclipso (this was after her failed attempt to seduce the Spectre, but it's really best if we just don't go there right now) and fell to her death in the Atlantic Ocean, where she was eaten by a shark.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRklkfHjXJxi4lQzpEcLMXiY2Obs-eckXnNoKARws9qw6QuS0Xyq-FRy0sMw2FayTBpb8bZqm53PRczJsEHHnm7cGG_DYFwReOA9D4CqQp4vO77kLa0EoOCFX4sCXdTM8aycERc-Fs7Utp_YEp2MS7KBCLOrNLfF4em6yYFv6wLJLrhRmFwZzt/s400/jean%20shark.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRklkfHjXJxi4lQzpEcLMXiY2Obs-eckXnNoKARws9qw6QuS0Xyq-FRy0sMw2FayTBpb8bZqm53PRczJsEHHnm7cGG_DYFwReOA9D4CqQp4vO77kLa0EoOCFX4sCXdTM8aycERc-Fs7Utp_YEp2MS7KBCLOrNLfF4em6yYFv6wLJLrhRmFwZzt/w428-h640/jean%20shark.jpg" width="428" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">Poor, innocent shark; doesn't stand a chance.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">And by "last time" I mean "last time we saw her alive". Naturally we saw her LATER after she was dead in one (or two?) of those <b>"Every Dead Character Comes Back as The Evil Dead"</b> crossover events (probably Blackest Night). </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyk4wVZyNCxEKL94-b4OY57fPYUqf0-ha4pS37euXx43xEdWlD3eNSkcbMgc9IGKHjdh1IWx5TCKt92xPp092Wm_UOT4z2faFIaPEdZMv3kCbZUaWhKb9OG-EcHfMUzQQFCD_MjrLYSM1cIpHzhXlFweUFMObGas0Ip3H2EMPKaznhObeOkVn2/s500/black-lantern-jean-loring-207405-normal.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="355" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyk4wVZyNCxEKL94-b4OY57fPYUqf0-ha4pS37euXx43xEdWlD3eNSkcbMgc9IGKHjdh1IWx5TCKt92xPp092Wm_UOT4z2faFIaPEdZMv3kCbZUaWhKb9OG-EcHfMUzQQFCD_MjrLYSM1cIpHzhXlFweUFMObGas0Ip3H2EMPKaznhObeOkVn2/w454-h640/black-lantern-jean-loring-207405-normal.jpg" width="454" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">Jean was one of the few characters substantially DOWNGRADED by becoming a Black Lantern. I remind you that in her heyday she terrified not merely entire civilizations but ENTIRE PLANETS.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">I was very disappointed at the time; it was the first and only confirmation that Jean actually WAS dead. I was expecting (hoping?) that she would just pop up alive someday declaring that she had landed ON the shark, which was thereupon knocked unconscious, and then ate the shark. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4Aidn-asiP6cHFajCpI7JvX8wET6xJfadtTO9KR_184uzSzZGRd1d8E2nZouRkCDQZdQ4ijbHevP3-Ezkduex4s-svDMhsW190_Wtcr8MbXD5_mywPImDyfvgVaD6LRN1xNKKRLfkw9j-KUaNPelegVRojM14knOZvl0lJk7E03YH_cCOSt_/s1200/IMG_0395.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4Aidn-asiP6cHFajCpI7JvX8wET6xJfadtTO9KR_184uzSzZGRd1d8E2nZouRkCDQZdQ4ijbHevP3-Ezkduex4s-svDMhsW190_Wtcr8MbXD5_mywPImDyfvgVaD6LRN1xNKKRLfkw9j-KUaNPelegVRojM14knOZvl0lJk7E03YH_cCOSt_/w640-h334/IMG_0395.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">Like that guy in <i>Watchmen</i> nobody remembers, <br />except Jean would have no remorse at what she had become.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">That pretty much put a stake through the character's heart.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Or would have. IF SHE WERE NOT JEAN LORING.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Courtesy of Geoff Johns, who bends DC reality to his will like a steroidal Fifth Dimensional Imp, she has just popped in the pages of <i>Justice Society </i>as if nothing had ever happened. And by "nothing" I mean her murder of Sue Dibney, in a wholly unpleasant story that every reader would like to pretend never happened. But Geoff Johns knows that Jean Loring as a deluded, homicidal lunatic is just too darned compelling a character to leave in back issue dustbins. So back she is, no explanation required. She is back simply because the DCU is more fun WITH her than without her.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVd26y_do9uuuwnh3_pfIaemy00sGoeuV0zaY9XikJdOK7QmTvU1eJDEcWWf0vM1A6dvI8foNkYIT0Mek02ug_8q-3qZmSxUZrss2ajPhyphenhyphenXhOKsWHbxNFij9A1IltFnnOML-Y06AJIjO5WdBGA7PDURNOrC3xCguMBkQaSSKfOfy3-ghtJkNI-/s3312/Screenshot%202023-11-25%20at%2010.37.53%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1968" data-original-width="3312" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVd26y_do9uuuwnh3_pfIaemy00sGoeuV0zaY9XikJdOK7QmTvU1eJDEcWWf0vM1A6dvI8foNkYIT0Mek02ug_8q-3qZmSxUZrss2ajPhyphenhyphenXhOKsWHbxNFij9A1IltFnnOML-Y06AJIjO5WdBGA7PDURNOrC3xCguMBkQaSSKfOfy3-ghtJkNI-/w640-h380/Screenshot%202023-11-25%20at%2010.37.53%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">The name "Cold Coast" is absolutely perfect. As is that IMPOSSIBLE view of the moon, chosen to evoke Eclipso, and the fact that all asylums in DC simply have to look <b>Like That</b>.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ODqvSkVM45nk1xPuPUuqbZ3syKUKw3mm61yMYg2g-K8CkJJnTIZZpYsVyJaklS1JHBEfa1VsTLSJ7kKBwFxifLfTyN6iNCy1UTiHgCwZdlNxCJGAzww6iUNSklvbKV15DQirYUUg97baaAc80k3JW3Sy2kYHgWlz-UamwrQPdw9LweE_a_94/s3152/Screenshot%202023-11-25%20at%2010.38.01%20PM%202.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="3152" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ODqvSkVM45nk1xPuPUuqbZ3syKUKw3mm61yMYg2g-K8CkJJnTIZZpYsVyJaklS1JHBEfa1VsTLSJ7kKBwFxifLfTyN6iNCy1UTiHgCwZdlNxCJGAzww6iUNSklvbKV15DQirYUUg97baaAc80k3JW3Sy2kYHgWlz-UamwrQPdw9LweE_a_94/w640-h230/Screenshot%202023-11-25%20at%2010.38.01%20PM%202.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">Say what you will; nobody can encapsulate a character as efficiently as Geoff Johns, who does it here without even SHOWING Jean.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">She's being interviewed by neo-Dr. Mid-nite (Beth Chapel), who you'll remember was one of the most notable victims of the earlier Eclipso in the grand, extremely over-the-top Eclipso crossover of 1992. Like Jean, Beth is back from the dead because, well, that's just how Geoff Johns wants it.</span><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1876" data-original-width="2840" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFIRHju36K3u6GFJel75z46yRpEbYbx_aO4DYfJtPMQmfmuNjnVGV7EDDfdeL5k58NCDWD_Tlnc9uoCQn9kYHA63gHvSKHvwcBrgRLKaDK_TF6V8QA2qSZjEQ8sPwXOVSFJXp6cuG_Fad65zWvND6CV_aIfj0Nx4_SO6RSqKV70-NAx9iet-Li/w640-h422/Screenshot%202023-11-25%20at%2010.39.05%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan;"><br />You'd think Dr. Mid-Nite would use a voice recorder, rather than a note pad as if she's the Silver Age Lois Lane, Gal Reporter.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFIRHju36K3u6GFJel75z46yRpEbYbx_aO4DYfJtPMQmfmuNjnVGV7EDDfdeL5k58NCDWD_Tlnc9uoCQn9kYHA63gHvSKHvwcBrgRLKaDK_TF6V8QA2qSZjEQ8sPwXOVSFJXp6cuG_Fad65zWvND6CV_aIfj0Nx4_SO6RSqKV70-NAx9iet-Li/s2840/Screenshot%202023-11-25%20at%2010.39.05%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;"></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">But Jean Loring is still focused only on Ray "The Atom" Palmer.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjt8fNMnhVrn527LXYKedZvE3zEzwIq3-BP77S_zgrURIevsAvV0xB6qqQZHLXFvcNhMhqVotLi8n51f2J8NI3FOX2W3GF-BO-0lSYSgQx2rs8tmEEkvFVkzgb-cPw0de_wfIp8ewsN6PkCay17xoc248peTBjTl22tlAUYv9e5wPULmAPjEV/s1344/Screenshot%202023-11-25%20at%2010.40.57%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1344" data-original-width="1240" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjt8fNMnhVrn527LXYKedZvE3zEzwIq3-BP77S_zgrURIevsAvV0xB6qqQZHLXFvcNhMhqVotLi8n51f2J8NI3FOX2W3GF-BO-0lSYSgQx2rs8tmEEkvFVkzgb-cPw0de_wfIp8ewsN6PkCay17xoc248peTBjTl22tlAUYv9e5wPULmAPjEV/w590-h640/Screenshot%202023-11-25%20at%2010.40.57%20PM.png" width="590" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan;"><br />This panel, you may note, is an homage to her "oh GOD Jean is STILL INSANE" panel in the prestige story-that-will-not-be-named.</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">You remember Ray Palmer, of course...</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCR54KZinjzteSNRv9lM1v5Jgk7m_Ac088bqEtRQKE_8zniK4_-7UR4QwH-IYWuvT-SWHGYe6F_4u9dMnbrhBegaQHX7uCUJxFtd0nDbCwlKwXt8BhvXofAoFAcN1okua6dbvgMAEZMh5vbholSBLTzs6T9Gv8iET2xZZWc72WaRRtZZIPs_Lu/s832/Screenshot%202023-11-27%20at%206.02.36%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="832" data-original-width="472" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCR54KZinjzteSNRv9lM1v5Jgk7m_Ac088bqEtRQKE_8zniK4_-7UR4QwH-IYWuvT-SWHGYe6F_4u9dMnbrhBegaQHX7uCUJxFtd0nDbCwlKwXt8BhvXofAoFAcN1okua6dbvgMAEZMh5vbholSBLTzs6T9Gv8iET2xZZWc72WaRRtZZIPs_Lu/w364-h640/Screenshot%202023-11-27%20at%206.02.36%20PM.png" width="364" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">The man whose marriage proposal she turned down AT LEAST 56 TIMES BEFORE WE EVEN MET HER. The man she cheated on after they were married and then divorced. Which is not at all consistent with her obsession, but such is crazy. Who knows why on earth she's so fixated on him.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb13Ph992leaGVBhc2FD2laYpyY83UYndpEqkVte-iI2-58Vdm7C-d3fwTigGPh7qP-ubCkLphK36xrlo3yZUGGihGwBb2XrjbLtmqaB9LfpdxH1Xm9GWk0jpRO7OhPgQ4kL4maDuncQOS8q6V5YBV4NtA-P3NFGCfZvwHHHaf7pQ7nHSjrokt/s350/d93da007fb0d8170151af7d0025c6a5d.gif" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="250" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb13Ph992leaGVBhc2FD2laYpyY83UYndpEqkVte-iI2-58Vdm7C-d3fwTigGPh7qP-ubCkLphK36xrlo3yZUGGihGwBb2XrjbLtmqaB9LfpdxH1Xm9GWk0jpRO7OhPgQ4kL4maDuncQOS8q6V5YBV4NtA-P3NFGCfZvwHHHaf7pQ7nHSjrokt/w458-h640/d93da007fb0d8170151af7d0025c6a5d.gif" width="458" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">Oh.<br />Right.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br />Dr. Mid-Nite, Junior, stupidly asks her who she's talking to, even though she literally just said his name, and if you are going to interview JEAN LORING, you darned well know who "Ray" is. </span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSTp7svGlluR2xvHOQZ4-JU_qf1xnu8gvwZPz-qcSND7JbOGNKSM9qGL48cpBk6Qd4yoey1l88cuCWHOJrVoa2sokfExBcL_hzjxCmHUcNwvWGmABPd_L4Gjpt1TjpVNux6d0K-fXZBorpQlI3_w36pGM6Xo9HjqWGDlzxaOtZoavV8O2clLm/s1008/Screenshot%202023-11-25%20at%2010.39.49%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="376" data-original-width="1008" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSTp7svGlluR2xvHOQZ4-JU_qf1xnu8gvwZPz-qcSND7JbOGNKSM9qGL48cpBk6Qd4yoey1l88cuCWHOJrVoa2sokfExBcL_hzjxCmHUcNwvWGmABPd_L4Gjpt1TjpVNux6d0K-fXZBorpQlI3_w36pGM6Xo9HjqWGDlzxaOtZoavV8O2clLm/w640-h238/Screenshot%202023-11-25%20at%2010.39.49%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">Skipped those electives in Psychiatry, huh, Dr. M?</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Jean has a worldview. And she's committed.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1598" data-original-width="1296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1e0MKMj9bH_NQ7iCgg_TGL-A0FOZWhASakF0WJFLnoZ64XxQsNoHB7bzQqKdEi5c-H6Lt3vfQqQ5fz0IZ-doh1qYetAQBOo4f_GMdBUgIt9VTYvsE6nzveV-7ZuFsFPimdKxaJ3bUvKQs09RSJ53wmjQfTaVo5SYobcI1Uysu-fkNFFDQ44V/w520-h640/Screenshot%202023-11-25%20at%2010.39.57%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="520" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">And if there is anyone who deserves to be committed, it's Jean Loring. Dr. Mid-Nite doesn't even HAVE lapels.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1e0MKMj9bH_NQ7iCgg_TGL-A0FOZWhASakF0WJFLnoZ64XxQsNoHB7bzQqKdEi5c-H6Lt3vfQqQ5fz0IZ-doh1qYetAQBOo4f_GMdBUgIt9VTYvsE6nzveV-7ZuFsFPimdKxaJ3bUvKQs09RSJ53wmjQfTaVo5SYobcI1Uysu-fkNFFDQ44V/s1598/Screenshot%202023-11-25%20at%2010.39.57%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">So, although Jean is still the wacky deluded gal we've all come to hate and fear, she is ALSO still the Uber-competent person she always was. As a brilliant attorney, she has always had a way with words.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFq5BiiQ267y1jH0FGoA6U3BBUIT4qffPCuE4F-DPuG803f6BQSXL_gAwhrs4wd9A-HPK5WnMLd785rAOF5FF-OQ0FIRololLuN0nteAlVWqSqR0T64NulBTKHGYLq9Q6eGE4ZNa_plINPCysuS1SX2xtYhiFn7i_FDmGU1MNlboCGTgvxjSq/s184/jean+scream+(2).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="120" data-original-width="184" height="417" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFq5BiiQ267y1jH0FGoA6U3BBUIT4qffPCuE4F-DPuG803f6BQSXL_gAwhrs4wd9A-HPK5WnMLd785rAOF5FF-OQ0FIRololLuN0nteAlVWqSqR0T64NulBTKHGYLq9Q6eGE4ZNa_plINPCysuS1SX2xtYhiFn7i_FDmGU1MNlboCGTgvxjSq/w640-h417/jean+scream+(2).jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">A randomly chosen example.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Not your average prolix barrister, she had a penchant for pithy, piercing remarks.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL2fyhUz7e0e1tOPdlOoCpgT2ItH45z5uaqmRgnly7NVstUDl-kXgAUO39ey1-RDRbn6K4O4k4fc_9hxUE-L2NEJpANcnFHf3vtj_eRoDETNpimWvv0tjqt8Q9c5Li2OiN4Nz3OegkkJKZufJXLpvWSsY7MKEVSPpnnBsbZF9mNIMg0IhI7XrN/s291/EEEEE.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="291" data-original-width="290" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL2fyhUz7e0e1tOPdlOoCpgT2ItH45z5uaqmRgnly7NVstUDl-kXgAUO39ey1-RDRbn6K4O4k4fc_9hxUE-L2NEJpANcnFHf3vtj_eRoDETNpimWvv0tjqt8Q9c5Li2OiN4Nz3OegkkJKZufJXLpvWSsY7MKEVSPpnnBsbZF9mNIMg0IhI7XrN/w638-h640/EEEEE.jpg" width="638" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">Pictured: pithy and piercing.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">So I SHOULD have been on the look out for her to mark her return to comics with some virtuosic display of dialog. But I was so overwhelmed by her return, that I completely failed to notice this (until loyal and longtime commenter CobraMisfit pointed it out to me):</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhy30f3QgVPR3ZzjZ5RqYoXU-9zUjaMMRHDEzP_pHt5JunC_XHEW7PFVG-Nql12zbteVbd-n_IQcqW_v_XisGb-LMVeJVsrRIhZuuMZNtetLZnphhQ3hvi5UjcwzrxcUZQEcAqZzqDFEf01BuCSAAwbhgIQ4UQ0xnA8tuXZBbvzAbwqRlK6vv/s1344/Screenshot%202023-11-25%20at%2010.40.57%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1344" data-original-width="1240" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhy30f3QgVPR3ZzjZ5RqYoXU-9zUjaMMRHDEzP_pHt5JunC_XHEW7PFVG-Nql12zbteVbd-n_IQcqW_v_XisGb-LMVeJVsrRIhZuuMZNtetLZnphhQ3hvi5UjcwzrxcUZQEcAqZzqDFEf01BuCSAAwbhgIQ4UQ0xnA8tuXZBbvzAbwqRlK6vv/w590-h640/Screenshot%202023-11-25%20at%2010.40.57%20PM.png" width="590" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><b>I still love you, Ray.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><b>That's why I'm waiting for you.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><b>I'm waiting right here.</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Yep. Perhaps the most flawless and beautiful COMIC BOOK HAIKU I have <u>ever</u> featured here on Haikuesday. And Jean made it seem so normal, so natural, I never even noticed.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Your turn, now! What beautiful haiku can YOU compose to celebrate (?!) the return of Jean Loring to comics?</span></div>Scipiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12112155718721908876noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-41323235269079595712023-09-08T15:34:00.011-05:002023-09-08T15:42:07.888-05:00Things That Made Me Happy in My Comics This Week: Justice Society of America #6<p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">I read <i>Justice Society</i> #6 this week. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">Apparently in #5, which I read but have already forgotten, the <b>Villain Who Couldn't Be Stopped and Who Kicked All Our Asses Simultaneously </b>was stopped by the <b>Heroes Trying Harder All Together</b>. But that's how EVERY Geoff John's plot (certainly those with the JSA) ends. It also ends the other way every (possible) Geoff Johns' story ends:</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztIKPsupkKAH0BhOT0VqZKAw_ARsdiQl5yGphdFTgK0zJ72yxa0Cc6M1qoJWrIHy8IpjAuFvNGnZqfV7WeSaKuIZcB-BtIA2CD1ZMW3pgvou1OtBGXw4AD7TBQWcrHGo8o3TAhWPxnie8nIQBJzbkQGPkfpAmNrPPtJ4zA698htVSqezbDAfb/s612/Screenshot%202023-09-08%20at%209.18.36%20AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="612" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztIKPsupkKAH0BhOT0VqZKAw_ARsdiQl5yGphdFTgK0zJ72yxa0Cc6M1qoJWrIHy8IpjAuFvNGnZqfV7WeSaKuIZcB-BtIA2CD1ZMW3pgvou1OtBGXw4AD7TBQWcrHGo8o3TAhWPxnie8nIQBJzbkQGPkfpAmNrPPtJ4zA698htVSqezbDAfb/w640-h180/Screenshot%202023-09-08%20at%209.18.36%20AM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: x-large;">with Courtney being right.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">Because Stargirl shits g-d marble, as we all know. Because it took Stargirl to come up with the radical idea of the JSA taking time-displaced Golden Age side-kicks under their wing. I'm sure that wouldn't have occurred to Mister Terrific, one of the DCU's three smartest humans, without her help. He was probably on the verge of sending them to Granny Goodness.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">But that sort of thing aside, I enjoyed the issue (as follows).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">The Stranding of The World's Phinest.</span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInDRYO4XXP-Z8rusg5bj2wfryWgyUz98i_yyZMtfvYnPoKcHcGsxsHw2Qt0lQDmOxBV9afM10YqqxvBOupBQlTd0dPJoH5OC1Hw64Izp7zYSDYx5k1MYY4GFEpEdWfZ0QctXSdTYPtKN6FtwZaUdrn60j-rc36q7CxE1L0P2Qe0Z5kCFUmP2k/s896/Screenshot%202023-09-08%20at%209.15.01%20AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="896" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInDRYO4XXP-Z8rusg5bj2wfryWgyUz98i_yyZMtfvYnPoKcHcGsxsHw2Qt0lQDmOxBV9afM10YqqxvBOupBQlTd0dPJoH5OC1Hw64Izp7zYSDYx5k1MYY4GFEpEdWfZ0QctXSdTYPtKN6FtwZaUdrn60j-rc36q7CxE1L0P2Qe0Z5kCFUmP2k/w640-h264/Screenshot%202023-09-08%20at%209.15.01%20AM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: x-large;">Power Girl's in the mix, too, for different reasons, but I forget whether Johns did that, and, regardless, it didn't happen in the pages of this Justice Society story.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">When Geoff Johns wants A Baby, he is (unlike many writers) PERFECTLY capable of throwing out The Bathwater. And in this case the Baby is Helena Wayne (NOT Bertinelli). Johns does not shy away from the crux of a character, no matter how stupid or inconvenient it may be, he makes that crux his battle standard.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">Geoff Johns knows darned well that the FUNCTION of the Huntress character is to be the daughter of Batman and Catwoman; if she is not THAT, she serves no purpose. So that's what the Huntress is. From a future she has now wiped out by her (heroic) actions in the present, and to which, therefore, she cannot return. Fin. </span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><b>Sensible Batman.</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">Johns' Bruce Wayne is sensible, calm, and supportive. Because of course he is. Batman is a Golden Age hero, after all, although we forget to think of him that way.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZOs1pgQ8fgEY0jcBkjkB2gyUmrFxMVfekcNTjSlywUeDomXYfDTDui1CgQrPkrLLPDagRYkx4htCsaun7LO0Q22z47Ne0LqtEOuQdeXQ_BKp-IhGEUooe0TCRaeL3Bz4_GbRHPYXlJju9yBAsl5ujEj67w3WiNB3JQvfV5nfKgFkel8GM3Fd/s1268/Screenshot%202023-09-08%20at%209.19.55%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1268" data-original-width="1022" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZOs1pgQ8fgEY0jcBkjkB2gyUmrFxMVfekcNTjSlywUeDomXYfDTDui1CgQrPkrLLPDagRYkx4htCsaun7LO0Q22z47Ne0LqtEOuQdeXQ_BKp-IhGEUooe0TCRaeL3Bz4_GbRHPYXlJju9yBAsl5ujEj67w3WiNB3JQvfV5nfKgFkel8GM3Fd/w516-h640/Screenshot%202023-09-08%20at%209.19.55%20AM.png" width="516" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">He's going to help this Helena lady, who is not his child at all (even though her father WAS Bruce Wayne), because it's the right thing to do. In a way that doesn't smother her and keeps her out of his hair, but, jeez, one unsolicited offspring whose creation he wasn't involved in is MORE than enough. Amusingly, Johns' even has Helena mention the current Batman storyline where he's running around like a basketcase fighting his own family, in stark contrast to His Normal Self we see here. Johns loves to troll that sort of thing.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">Flash back.</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">GJ has just dumped a passel of Golden Age sidekicks into the present. Obviously lots of their stories will have to do with the difficulties of adjusting or making themselves part of current families and dynasties blah blah. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">But Flash hasn't got time for that nonsense. Judy Garrick returns and when his dad remembers her, everyone else does, because it's Jay Garrick and that's just how it is.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDxewigIoc_zFBfowwoKxI0e14dU7hNej1Jm48m--jXGdIVWAegbwB0AlKK_xUWI1ArnWsUYtIGl_WFA5qTqRClpvqpznubTz0WZMvUXaGklJEFfSMrH6-AIVjc15LB2uMc7eokRgt6xYbB-4O0shgeKiRsrsWy1Zb-5aHn2njMT8uFh-80dU/s1052/Screenshot%202023-09-08%20at%209.20.47%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="1052" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDxewigIoc_zFBfowwoKxI0e14dU7hNej1Jm48m--jXGdIVWAegbwB0AlKK_xUWI1ArnWsUYtIGl_WFA5qTqRClpvqpznubTz0WZMvUXaGklJEFfSMrH6-AIVjc15LB2uMc7eokRgt6xYbB-4O0shgeKiRsrsWy1Zb-5aHn2njMT8uFh-80dU/w640-h296/Screenshot%202023-09-08%20at%209.20.47%20AM.png" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">Fin.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><b>Steel's Ancestry.</b></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLrthZkk5pPPjjxPGHR92BOkvGwODMxmnQHaguReK_Gw3C-QJ4yZPSi3pFxpQfjLTJGwH6LyEYeiuLuhm4MBBRdtysmTweVXIJ__L6BcBdhV3msTQ-iphBDXaU-CVk5Npm5ByypxwZXRxX57TD213ogXRG_45Y_89socXwJv6-ASkqztn9Gij/s1024/Screenshot%202023-09-08%20at%209.16.06%20AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="1024" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLrthZkk5pPPjjxPGHR92BOkvGwODMxmnQHaguReK_Gw3C-QJ4yZPSi3pFxpQfjLTJGwH6LyEYeiuLuhm4MBBRdtysmTweVXIJ__L6BcBdhV3msTQ-iphBDXaU-CVk5Npm5ByypxwZXRxX57TD213ogXRG_45Y_89socXwJv6-ASkqztn9Gij/w640-h256/Screenshot%202023-09-08%20at%209.16.06%20AM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: x-large;">You're his great-uncle, numbskull. It's not exactly a "post-War" concept.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">This one is interesting to me. It's unique because it's kind of backwards. The sidekick isn't getting iconic oomph from a connection to a Golden Age hero; he's GIVING Golden Age oomph to a Modern Hero. John Henry "Steel" Irons has zero connection to the Golden Age. His roots go EXACTLY to the Death of Superman story, which Golden Age fan GJ knows is a weak point for any character. So he's inserting this fellow (he hardly looks as if calling him a "kid" is appropriate) into Steel's PAST as a way of connecting Steel to the Golden Age. Might as well; no one else has ever been able to figure out what to do with Steel, a literary conundrum that has stumped even the likes of Shaquille O'Neal.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><b>Justifiable Rudeness</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">There is little I hate more in comics than the Gratuitously Unpleasant Character. Like, well, any character being written by Roy Thomas. And the last place such a character should be is in the JSA or its derivatives.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjigMm0WB_LlaVW_OSTLF6Qn4nCd7onO2_MFILUqIR6MPa_lzKyAE7f3nrS0RYgNtmVZz7uuYXEDe4moqhPL3_LwOCYzkFTOOIoyCk2Z-x2aI2Ee-tQR-buRfnQNZakvUl2kmSDprxEWSlw3zvl8HotwSkwVwAgQet_hum1ocweYq2UBRF39X33/s706/Screenshot%202023-09-08%20at%204.06.42%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="706" data-original-width="536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjigMm0WB_LlaVW_OSTLF6Qn4nCd7onO2_MFILUqIR6MPa_lzKyAE7f3nrS0RYgNtmVZz7uuYXEDe4moqhPL3_LwOCYzkFTOOIoyCk2Z-x2aI2Ee-tQR-buRfnQNZakvUl2kmSDprxEWSlw3zvl8HotwSkwVwAgQet_hum1ocweYq2UBRF39X33/w484-h640/Screenshot%202023-09-08%20at%204.06.42%20PM.png" width="484" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">One of the many <b>Things Roy Thomas Didn't Understand</b>, since none of his characters can get through two sentences without being ****s.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">So obviously "Salem", the stupidly named and snide protégé of the Golden Age Dr. Fate, Kent Nelson, has been my least favorite of the rediscovered sidekicks. At least until GJ explained WHY she is like that.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisw6KVsQwzykWb8oJuzV-Jun2PRg3fV6-tHHi2Mk7UKFrZ5MyGG3JIiWVbiw9rJrR145DbSd8LusHTaRsyV71Leq2Qr3uL95Nn2lo1gR2-slOEsCD4bG6g5jpZ_00odFCZcmsowka5_PMrxzgtm9uNE14jqSG31tM-psETfwgPCZlDavne2X7L/s1056/Screenshot%202023-09-08%20at%209.17.49%20AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="706" data-original-width="1056" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisw6KVsQwzykWb8oJuzV-Jun2PRg3fV6-tHHi2Mk7UKFrZ5MyGG3JIiWVbiw9rJrR145DbSd8LusHTaRsyV71Leq2Qr3uL95Nn2lo1gR2-slOEsCD4bG6g5jpZ_00odFCZcmsowka5_PMrxzgtm9uNE14jqSG31tM-psETfwgPCZlDavne2X7L/w640-h428/Screenshot%202023-09-08%20at%209.17.49%20AM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: x-large;">She's rude in order to keep people at a distance so THEY DON'T DIE BY HER CURSE. That's some Greek Tragedy stuff, right there.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">Simple. Elegant. Rooted in the character's origin. You don't have to always like WHAT Geoff Johns is doing to appreciate the sheer EFFICIENCY with which he does it.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2BpzSv3rGGzkW1uBVOV5xrhbpbcDpJSyeRJQKkEWy8huO2rV744XkP4lSQt6z0nd7vsQVuemJH5BXmT8e0XtssLYMYtzLfpRr0B6C9h6rN0ENZeNS-frHPi4E56QhrkNSUdhy5Bk42swxsLu4wsWWEI6ot3JNRWG2BZjqfI4iZi0uHaYsAT2/s1072/Screenshot%202023-09-08%20at%209.18.11%20AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="1072" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2BpzSv3rGGzkW1uBVOV5xrhbpbcDpJSyeRJQKkEWy8huO2rV744XkP4lSQt6z0nd7vsQVuemJH5BXmT8e0XtssLYMYtzLfpRr0B6C9h6rN0ENZeNS-frHPi4E56QhrkNSUdhy5Bk42swxsLu4wsWWEI6ot3JNRWG2BZjqfI4iZi0uHaYsAT2/w640-h364/Screenshot%202023-09-08%20at%209.18.11%20AM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: x-large;">He COULD have tried to streamline Dr. Fate's history. But he didn't. Because it's messy and that's just now a core part of the character. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">The Red Bee's Legacy</span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiops9L7QUBFQcE3y72TvUAgkye4uMf1DVxxfu7zoKeHotZtJVsdhPOqtZr0JBKxs899_CfeOCrCHtjOBWT3EvGUMY7u0ie0tIiwmzZj1fn9gK1RPt6pf7kXD5R8V-nGNkH4w_W8IVktqRGAi4bod5PTeCye0cZFGxHvO4prJgoWMXGBYew2YwM/s3244/Screenshot%202023-09-06%20at%208.11.52%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1670" data-original-width="3244" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiops9L7QUBFQcE3y72TvUAgkye4uMf1DVxxfu7zoKeHotZtJVsdhPOqtZr0JBKxs899_CfeOCrCHtjOBWT3EvGUMY7u0ie0tIiwmzZj1fn9gK1RPt6pf7kXD5R8V-nGNkH4w_W8IVktqRGAi4bod5PTeCye0cZFGxHvO4prJgoWMXGBYew2YwM/w640-h330/Screenshot%202023-09-06%20at%208.11.52%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1338" data-original-width="3314" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLFWec3jsU6uUklvmykkLVVbc4wErjuTeNvDuR1JoM1i6hVrMCRGxOZC_1i_M25uYXbsvwPsj7dgh6hk__Evbju3FJsVcfGxYb8m-2j19e1UisgSRcEiFIcJESFp6R6vRET1uSYzhl0QQb4qvFK1kmzBUaomQHmOu1WP2QSLkly5pPmathuNPp/w640-h258/Screenshot%202023-09-06%20at%208.12.25%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: x-large;">"As insane as it sounds" is Geoff Johns' credo.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLFWec3jsU6uUklvmykkLVVbc4wErjuTeNvDuR1JoM1i6hVrMCRGxOZC_1i_M25uYXbsvwPsj7dgh6hk__Evbju3FJsVcfGxYb8m-2j19e1UisgSRcEiFIcJESFp6R6vRET1uSYzhl0QQb4qvFK1kmzBUaomQHmOu1WP2QSLkly5pPmathuNPp/s3314/Screenshot%202023-09-06%20at%208.12.25%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Michael. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Fascinate; font-size: x-large;"><b><u><i>M I C H A E L.</i></u></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">GJ knows that Michael, THE ABSURDITY of Michael, is at the crux of the Red Bee. Johns doesn't shy away from that as a stupid embarrassment, he embraces it with the fervor of a post-War lover returning to his beloved.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">So Michael, who apparently is not only hyperintelligent BUT AGELESS, is there to greet his sidekick in our time. Because all you need for the Red Bee is Superior City, a hero in a ridiculous costume (which this girl CERTAINLY qualifies as), and... Michael.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">I like to imagine that Michael occasionally does lunch with Detective Chimp and Rex the Wonder Dog. Very quiet lunches. Until Robbie the Robot Dog shows up.</span></p><p><br /></p>Scipiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12112155718721908876noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-86227041932540330772023-09-07T13:37:00.004-05:002023-09-09T07:11:46.725-05:00Things That Made Me Happy in My Comics This Week: Blue Beetle<p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">I read <i>Blue Beetle</i> #1 and it pleased me.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">Paco and Brenda are back. </span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gqplA3VbTyYBDJ7mNEDpnqX764QnI6OwBOPndI-K4mqBUBXGNh-_DSknmB96X3vGbWIYScskWV1rZh-VtIwdj7FBTmcrFkZHr_DZEA_lhxwI6YiJJKyJouRVTmImHwsNIszILOKDw7NSRQzVIdHKkiOyGzWCw6sJh32jLUZcK9iIJLt_25GR/s1138/Screenshot%202023-09-07%20at%201.39.43%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1138" data-original-width="978" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gqplA3VbTyYBDJ7mNEDpnqX764QnI6OwBOPndI-K4mqBUBXGNh-_DSknmB96X3vGbWIYScskWV1rZh-VtIwdj7FBTmcrFkZHr_DZEA_lhxwI6YiJJKyJouRVTmImHwsNIszILOKDw7NSRQzVIdHKkiOyGzWCw6sJh32jLUZcK9iIJLt_25GR/w548-h640/Screenshot%202023-09-07%20at%201.39.43%20PM.png" width="548" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">I, for one, am happy Paco is still "disgusting".</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">You can do a lot of things with Blue Beetle. But if you are going to use Jaime Reyes, you need Paco and Brenda. They are to Jaime as Lois & Jimmy are Clark (although, of course, they are nothing like Lois & Jimmy): essential supporting characters. They barely appear in the issue, but the brief appearance is so on the spot, it's as if they'd never been gone.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">Ted Kord as Jaime's Mentor. </span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFo8bdVamAbcAnrb6okfXiRWzXaymK_P8eG3LbdKsgCH0Xg1EaWmKgp1tLEk7zn1t9jtapvaN7p9_e4WqaSrlbE1Nn_kVJE5Thb0bLx45vNBOpOT98rw9L6w9YDqNT2UmAV22kAOb2Fglfo1psQy_aSBCQfHl-2tWiELVzRVqO1oRnOPKlX6tw/s1110/Screenshot%202023-09-07%20at%201.42.01%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="1110" height="596" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFo8bdVamAbcAnrb6okfXiRWzXaymK_P8eG3LbdKsgCH0Xg1EaWmKgp1tLEk7zn1t9jtapvaN7p9_e4WqaSrlbE1Nn_kVJE5Thb0bLx45vNBOpOT98rw9L6w9YDqNT2UmAV22kAOb2Fglfo1psQy_aSBCQfHl-2tWiELVzRVqO1oRnOPKlX6tw/w640-h596/Screenshot%202023-09-07%20at%201.42.01%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: x-large;">Ted is not focused on his ship; he's focused on Jaime.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">The series begins with Ted Kord serving as Jaime Reyes's mentor. I don't think that has any historical precedent (that I have personally read, anyway). Jaime was created precisely because Ted Kord was off the table (with an acute case of Being Dead). But Jaime and Ted are a very natural pairing; Jaime's (and the series) respect for Ted Kord are off the charts, not only as he appears and acts in the present, but how he serves his role in the Blue Beetle lineage. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">This is, shall we say, called into question by a unknown interloper who encounters Ted and, um... leaves him a bit worse for wear. NOT dead (yet), as I have seen reported in the media, because dead people aren't still talking. I hope Ted gets better soon, because in just ONE ISSUE, the creative team re-established him beautifully and I would hate to see that go to waste. Jaime deserves Ted and, frankly, so do we.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">Jaime as a leader.</span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="848" data-original-width="1174" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjL15JsJfEeYN1g-_xtumiorCWjfngvWeURufFEvsA05osUERzv3hZY_t8hsta-XEBI_IAik4cif31HNpjcEs8R5OFxrNUxyJAfMzlKwcP0mriXm9J9UYR5A6Md3ESU7dqLAd-6pxotX2otmZXLa10S2II3MvPfXEDTZcWglcHqupJ6W4WMPi5/w640-h460/Screenshot%202023-09-07%20at%201.41.48%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: x-large;">If that doesn't warm your heart, why read comics?</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjL15JsJfEeYN1g-_xtumiorCWjfngvWeURufFEvsA05osUERzv3hZY_t8hsta-XEBI_IAik4cif31HNpjcEs8R5OFxrNUxyJAfMzlKwcP0mriXm9J9UYR5A6Md3ESU7dqLAd-6pxotX2otmZXLa10S2II3MvPfXEDTZcWglcHqupJ6W4WMPi5/s1174/Screenshot%202023-09-07%20at%201.41.48%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span></div><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">Jaime, whether he wants to be or, now has to be a leader. Not just of his soon-to-be-discussed sidekicks, but to the community of Reach-related extraterrestrials who (for some reason) are now living somewhere in intermittent seclusion in Palmera City. That's too much responsible for a college freshman to have to deal with (in addition to have superpowers)... and that is exactly the kind of problem Jaime deserves as part of his stories.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><b>Respect for Legacy</b></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1pR2BCQvvy561uDMkwlzIZ90dy_uQCNfpoTZIftCu4csr4uzIr_nksloATAwmR0iNrWED4miw8vGWjNRXEskrxlZZhwCwUJXUb5H7KIuQDHRuWvAF_Wn8cFlyzTkM32Vus4J_fJVpZ7ZSGauVBYhsdDKyHBz12uGOkXhFfTlOc5yaHgvr1jT0/s1244/Screenshot%202023-09-07%20at%202.02.11%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="930" data-original-width="1244" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1pR2BCQvvy561uDMkwlzIZ90dy_uQCNfpoTZIftCu4csr4uzIr_nksloATAwmR0iNrWED4miw8vGWjNRXEskrxlZZhwCwUJXUb5H7KIuQDHRuWvAF_Wn8cFlyzTkM32Vus4J_fJVpZ7ZSGauVBYhsdDKyHBz12uGOkXhFfTlOc5yaHgvr1jT0/w640-h476/Screenshot%202023-09-07%20at%202.02.11%20PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">That sort of thing (using Classic foes and acknowledge past iterations of the heroic identity) is easy to take for granted now in DC Comics. DON'T. Recognize, appreciate, and reward it, because it didn't used to be a given at. Some of us still remember <a href="https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Jared_Stevens_(New_Earth)" target="_blank">Jared Stevens </a>and even if you don't, it wasn't that long ago that DC was run by someone eager to obliterate as much of DC's history as necessary to install his 5G creations (and their ilk) in those characters's place. Never take respect for history for granted.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">Side-kicks.</span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT1ieUy5KneQcWSe2gY_IegJ3RIjkq74NmfPLpb1y85F2ceamr0yi9-GkYXY4Wp_1BsgrTOqK38WYm2dff8czpwaRlNJ_O4lQqMNi7T1DC01faEQyk09Vyv3YigogZ86H9NbiTVTIp0-HihaUU3la8pevrvIbtyVosndMrrbynnJsh0hsZMPi3/s1230/Screenshot%202023-09-07%20at%201.55.43%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1114" data-original-width="1230" height="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT1ieUy5KneQcWSe2gY_IegJ3RIjkq74NmfPLpb1y85F2ceamr0yi9-GkYXY4Wp_1BsgrTOqK38WYm2dff8czpwaRlNJ_O4lQqMNi7T1DC01faEQyk09Vyv3YigogZ86H9NbiTVTIp0-HihaUU3la8pevrvIbtyVosndMrrbynnJsh0hsZMPi3/w640-h580/Screenshot%202023-09-07%20at%201.55.43%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan;">I love it when people speak in </span><span style="font-family: Luckiest Guy;">LOGOES</span><span style="font-family: League Spartan;">.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">"Colleagues" or "lieutenants" might be technically more accurate descriptions of <b>Dynastes & Nitida</b>, but... it's comics. They're sidekicks. I have little idea who they are (surely introduced in Jaime's graduation one-shot), but I get everything I need about them from this appearance. They have powers that are similar, but lesser and not identical to Jaime's, they are less expert and prudent in using them, so Jaime is their leader. They work well as complements to Jaime, in how the look, what they do, and what their personalities are like. It's almost as if the creative team knew the wisdom of positioning your main hero as the centerpiece of a dynasty of characters!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><b>Imperfection</b>.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10abXRyDZk7g46Y0F0Tf_RHgVQxxu9kTJUfPTVDtHfxYqah2oRTcK1mWaWJpIsTIJBhjmAFyGLtwSSg4G0bJAKf7Zz52fUTUX4Orl-W87asYShfsH8qGtlAsKhsaY0L2L_P2tS__Op1qR17QzNJDfPXxfkg9pn6FlV__413-sKADQL1NYiGI3/s1216/Screenshot%202023-09-07%20at%202.03.01%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="364" data-original-width="1216" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10abXRyDZk7g46Y0F0Tf_RHgVQxxu9kTJUfPTVDtHfxYqah2oRTcK1mWaWJpIsTIJBhjmAFyGLtwSSg4G0bJAKf7Zz52fUTUX4Orl-W87asYShfsH8qGtlAsKhsaY0L2L_P2tS__Op1qR17QzNJDfPXxfkg9pn6FlV__413-sKADQL1NYiGI3/w640-h192/Screenshot%202023-09-07%20at%202.03.01%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">Mistakes are made by the characters in this issue. Jaime has insufficient control over his lieutenants; they have insufficient control over their powers; Ted Kord gets in WAY over his head against a foe, despite all his gadgetry. Too many creators are terrified to let their characters be anything less than Perfect Combatants and Strategists. But superheroes are characters with a LOT of power; if they are too perfect there is no suspense. The only character who gets to be perfect is, well, Batman, a benefit HE gets because he's otherwise powerless.</span></p><p><b style="font-family: Newsreader;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The art.</span></b></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwnD_8uMvOjL0ddNGBkLJkU8LFSypU5AwApuGdhf9rD5SwgIac8uTfWdVlqwZjkM9KTXc41Fnh0-0DPIM2iRmxqdbM-9Z2APCB2qNWnb2HNPkbQ85Ei_jzMVyOuos3JlMuKNeiZix5J_koHt9Bjks_P9i5LEuPl9wkID6vwWB9KSckcB9wnhaB/s1248/Screenshot%202023-09-07%20at%202.17.41%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="578" data-original-width="1248" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwnD_8uMvOjL0ddNGBkLJkU8LFSypU5AwApuGdhf9rD5SwgIac8uTfWdVlqwZjkM9KTXc41Fnh0-0DPIM2iRmxqdbM-9Z2APCB2qNWnb2HNPkbQ85Ei_jzMVyOuos3JlMuKNeiZix5J_koHt9Bjks_P9i5LEuPl9wkID6vwWB9KSckcB9wnhaB/w640-h296/Screenshot%202023-09-07%20at%202.17.41%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: x-large;">That art is nearly Golden Age in its solidity and simplicity.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">I was worried after glancing at the Blue Beetle graduation one-shot that Blue Beetle as a property had fallen irretrievably into the uncanny valley of anime-style, with the big jagged mouths and single pop-eyes, like someone just couldn't shake the effects of loving Invader Zim. And while there is SOME of that herein, it's a spice not a main dish (as the above snips make clear). I'm especially pleased by how Ted Kord, with his simpler more abstract costume design, is allowed to seem exactly like what he is: a simpler character from a different time (but still appropriate to this one).</span></p>Scipiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12112155718721908876noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-3510118572916946092023-09-06T17:10:00.007-05:002023-09-06T17:10:47.660-05:00Golden Age Comics<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXSmcIgpurhb15YFLzGv5UI3NxhnDyHls7lDRTiUP-ypdYuKi1ijjGtQ3pR_aVWGGbaJAzB6c4OayFBaGl6f23-Z0y0YnJWnbqgCFIRpvu-BNEn23RtrmqbCxYcKh1iiaA1KLP6qO1I2L8W7wOOeVEkHTDdpugPuGufU37YG949R1mbJdcu1O/s2318/morefun16cover.jpg.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2318" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXSmcIgpurhb15YFLzGv5UI3NxhnDyHls7lDRTiUP-ypdYuKi1ijjGtQ3pR_aVWGGbaJAzB6c4OayFBaGl6f23-Z0y0YnJWnbqgCFIRpvu-BNEn23RtrmqbCxYcKh1iiaA1KLP6qO1I2L8W7wOOeVEkHTDdpugPuGufU37YG949R1mbJdcu1O/w442-h640/morefun16cover.jpg.webp" width="442" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">WERE HARDCORE.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p>Scipiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12112155718721908876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-24361366304889649862023-08-31T12:49:00.003-05:002023-08-31T12:49:41.637-05:00Ten Things I'm Sick Of<p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"> 1. "Bat" & "Cat". It's a stupid, childish attempt to Sound Cool.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2_rH71NsGSPIIunKdWxcbUr8DUIhoxhx_rnoa4bKDJOEYBobatMVG_ZFW9QkqgBDT55bppXAIrE50WPD09ChK36R8qZM5fCKtpG5gIfwHlHvlGlaICB197nARz1WjAmInZgtvYXm-FC-SwVstYIYZjtXSG6z9QnWfEWeBGRh9CIWLhzVpajw/s500/51LGD1FgThL._SY500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="325" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2_rH71NsGSPIIunKdWxcbUr8DUIhoxhx_rnoa4bKDJOEYBobatMVG_ZFW9QkqgBDT55bppXAIrE50WPD09ChK36R8qZM5fCKtpG5gIfwHlHvlGlaICB197nARz1WjAmInZgtvYXm-FC-SwVstYIYZjtXSG6z9QnWfEWeBGRh9CIWLhzVpajw/w416-h640/51LGD1FgThL._SY500_.jpg" width="416" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Alata; font-size: x-large;">Zdarksy. Of course. Who else would think imitating Tom King is a way to sound cool?</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">2 & 3. Japanese Manga's weird fetish/obsession for nymphettes in sailor costumes and Corgis/Shiba Inus.<br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7GuR-dp9-KGc7prwncw_kyQPAdbrY9MiVprpoVZolGwUXWajdFCY0jLJI9jXyk5de05Vwqo8NIRWqwBlsJO7LYgD0oUcdIMha2iKeQuZznKnlyztuSclOnkfZXdr_7apaDmzsG3qWpiO8fYUfFVy2SccBoTIM7Rl3vu1IzySaQMtvW1gN74dX/s500/51Sgel7JP4L._SY500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="349" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7GuR-dp9-KGc7prwncw_kyQPAdbrY9MiVprpoVZolGwUXWajdFCY0jLJI9jXyk5de05Vwqo8NIRWqwBlsJO7LYgD0oUcdIMha2iKeQuZznKnlyztuSclOnkfZXdr_7apaDmzsG3qWpiO8fYUfFVy2SccBoTIM7Rl3vu1IzySaQMtvW1gN74dX/w444-h640/51Sgel7JP4L._SY500_.jpg" width="444" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Alata; font-size: x-large;">It's creepy in its relentlessness. Why can't they fixate on circus boys in swimming trunks, like normal Americans?</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">4. The continued Wink&Nod sexualization of Catwoman.</span><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZosYPddi7qvEHMTo-5R9VsirQAqLrRTNPcx9jkb8BvQjvx2R0XEjqRdbrsh7DNzVJKPODAEJvhJc6EAtvP-S9tbz3uvLacCQ3_0YOXIv-yhvvVeUqoYmgKa9mL34NEvW79gKjKmMA5hD3tDghuvvKEYZgIKeuC782HQ9oGbrxg41qadkjDyp8/s500/61vwUWRzHbL._SY500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="325" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZosYPddi7qvEHMTo-5R9VsirQAqLrRTNPcx9jkb8BvQjvx2R0XEjqRdbrsh7DNzVJKPODAEJvhJc6EAtvP-S9tbz3uvLacCQ3_0YOXIv-yhvvVeUqoYmgKa9mL34NEvW79gKjKmMA5hD3tDghuvvKEYZgIKeuC782HQ9oGbrxg41qadkjDyp8/w416-h640/61vwUWRzHbL._SY500_.jpg" width="416" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Alata; font-size: x-large;">"Uncovered"; oh, it's not naughty ambiguity, it's a genuine exploration of her as feminist anti-hero icon, blah blah blah. At least in the Golden Age when she wore a split-skirt and plunging neckline, they were more honest about it.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">5. Yaoi.<br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRGfDbkHxvE4Ys30DoEFT_RtoZc1gsHz-lu4YrISzB6y35UZ3Sh0z9QhRmKhoMC9vRCdXif-0UESht4-EWTCiUHrZhGgL8OTxggWCUN6AsafDrUW_bt03rblco6lc1hP5rfRXGaC7BKeAcYq2Z0ZVKvR8C0ClitsmaMljhg6YDmrnowQVEceui/s500/512M+mbRUSL._SY500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="352" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRGfDbkHxvE4Ys30DoEFT_RtoZc1gsHz-lu4YrISzB6y35UZ3Sh0z9QhRmKhoMC9vRCdXif-0UESht4-EWTCiUHrZhGgL8OTxggWCUN6AsafDrUW_bt03rblco6lc1hP5rfRXGaC7BKeAcYq2Z0ZVKvR8C0ClitsmaMljhg6YDmrnowQVEceui/w450-h640/512M+mbRUSL._SY500_.jpg" width="450" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Alata; font-size: x-large;">Look, I suppose we gay people have a right to creepy trash as much as anyone, but I don't have to like it. If this stuff is even FOR gay people, rather than just female readers who get off on watching male characters treat other male characters as badly as female characters are usually treated.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">6 & 7. G'nort. And "swimsuit issues".<br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO96lzi0HlLy61h6vZUM2oZPQ35si99D0i7PZ_om-vGjkLxDxA7i_7hR_DZsF6I3LUxhFAZp1dtBN-7u2ucWYP6mSS45eudLsLcDULrSe1dRVfA-xsevLQPhcefc8huDEpjqgBDSBeokzXGw8leL-UxYIjgR29581_5P6zKqX0hiaFKg-SmpAv/s500/610A+TIdj-L._SY500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="325" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO96lzi0HlLy61h6vZUM2oZPQ35si99D0i7PZ_om-vGjkLxDxA7i_7hR_DZsF6I3LUxhFAZp1dtBN-7u2ucWYP6mSS45eudLsLcDULrSe1dRVfA-xsevLQPhcefc8huDEpjqgBDSBeokzXGw8leL-UxYIjgR29581_5P6zKqX0hiaFKg-SmpAv/w416-h640/610A+TIdj-L._SY500_.jpg" width="416" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Alata; font-size: x-large;">Who is this FOR?! People who fetishize grown-up circus boys in swimming trunks?</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">You know, <a href="https://absorbascon.blogspot.com/search?q=fat+funny" target="_blank">the Fat Funny Friends</a> of the Golden Age may be mostly gone, but don't convince yourself that the contemporary equivalent, the <b>Lore-Riffing Parody Meta-Character </b>(I'm looking at you, Dr. Quinzel) is any way more sophisticated (OR funny).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">8. <b>Oh So Clever Parodies/Satires/Homages</b> that try to excuse themselves by lampshading that that's what they are.</span></div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyW1JsHgPjYlSMG0V18SDhCsWznrJg0mb-EZ_QmfK70MeDP6INoA0W4tNEK-jBWoR1wixIkxu_1RCvexNL3AE0_kOygZ-KwIu8uREQw-OVmPJznu-CMC7JciPXUNC2HrXjxEJwh0l3OjMKq8Jzt0Uz0kNekroceRZSLfphY-wZrHZodO-n7eqI/s500/612zPmMoLrL._SY500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="325" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyW1JsHgPjYlSMG0V18SDhCsWznrJg0mb-EZ_QmfK70MeDP6INoA0W4tNEK-jBWoR1wixIkxu_1RCvexNL3AE0_kOygZ-KwIu8uREQw-OVmPJznu-CMC7JciPXUNC2HrXjxEJwh0l3OjMKq8Jzt0Uz0kNekroceRZSLfphY-wZrHZodO-n7eqI/w416-h640/612zPmMoLrL._SY500_.jpg" width="416" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">Although ever time you DON"T lampshade it, some fool who missed the joke will inevitably start to take it seriously (e.g., Lobo, Sentry, the Extremists, the Watchmen), and, inevitably, that will include not just readers but writers.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">9 & 10. Chip Zdarsky and <b>The League of Overused XXXtreme Batman Tropes</b>.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibfWtEVTiADk19_nvGYZtj8m6A13ZaBuOZAc9Yp3MhZpDZWbdPP2vHUki3iQWNtcMiDtGpBZsZv9wuVupKCOVDGT0rRUeeApQynW4HYCyzZJQ9Lts0Uvr5IBFm5KQRZxNDw1TMadRVFoLhDRGgJ2HGGL2Ny4LkmgIQE7ET5E7WJrk-InZNNhRI/s500/51cRaiM4ExL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="325" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibfWtEVTiADk19_nvGYZtj8m6A13ZaBuOZAc9Yp3MhZpDZWbdPP2vHUki3iQWNtcMiDtGpBZsZv9wuVupKCOVDGT0rRUeeApQynW4HYCyzZJQ9Lts0Uvr5IBFm5KQRZxNDw1TMadRVFoLhDRGgJ2HGGL2Ny4LkmgIQE7ET5E7WJrk-InZNNhRI/w416-h640/51cRaiM4ExL.jpg" width="416" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">"Batman descends on Gotham City, full of rage and force, more driven than ever to save his home. But the new landscape has turned friends into foes. Can anyone stop his reign of terror? Should they? The Gotham War continues in this second chapter!"</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p><br /></p></div>Scipiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12112155718721908876noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-91658044276710207682023-08-29T13:25:00.001-05:002023-08-29T13:25:09.899-05:00Not Today<p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /> I am not a big fan of Wally West (although I have nothing against him).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-E_J2XQUfNJ9tBbHmo5hc3VcOlk7uaxJflUKjOkXGrro7kHW_kwXrOUnNIzsmEfHDfi0FDm01NJYxS3VMgqfH1rnsjz_-h6KvzJ66XXDiIQDLKZDBSjn90169LzGuPqQzZYxwVlXMq5ZLgesmhst7sn0PkLohOxlBZQt7ayXvcK7voEZfrVs/s1528/Screenshot%202023-07-14%20at%207.43.26%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1528" data-original-width="992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-E_J2XQUfNJ9tBbHmo5hc3VcOlk7uaxJflUKjOkXGrro7kHW_kwXrOUnNIzsmEfHDfi0FDm01NJYxS3VMgqfH1rnsjz_-h6KvzJ66XXDiIQDLKZDBSjn90169LzGuPqQzZYxwVlXMq5ZLgesmhst7sn0PkLohOxlBZQt7ayXvcK7voEZfrVs/w416-h640/Screenshot%202023-07-14%20at%207.43.26%20PM.png" width="416" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">But I AM a FAN of Mark Waid, who actually made Wally WITTY, not just a goofball.</span></div><p></p>Scipiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12112155718721908876noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-68885452719572905292023-08-27T08:47:00.007-05:002023-08-27T08:47:46.980-05:00How Much Do I Hate Ralph Dibney?<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoycrZf8jwnvNr1kGM5URytFxmHcKqvsbB8qUCo9QmXetYiYit3f2aquGExmlwz3v5fj9k9PNBfojkufoUZsn1Yc3FzLMHcmb2bEvhhkQChxL4o8vnh6BcquNRGTgBGM8e7buCqvEvffx5H72t8qpLgxipCVRoBDyKBvYNSAe9EdD-scPGR3_u/s782/Screenshot%202023-08-15%20at%205.56.35%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="764" data-original-width="782" height="626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoycrZf8jwnvNr1kGM5URytFxmHcKqvsbB8qUCo9QmXetYiYit3f2aquGExmlwz3v5fj9k9PNBfojkufoUZsn1Yc3FzLMHcmb2bEvhhkQChxL4o8vnh6BcquNRGTgBGM8e7buCqvEvffx5H72t8qpLgxipCVRoBDyKBvYNSAe9EdD-scPGR3_u/w640-h626/Screenshot%202023-08-15%20at%205.56.35%20PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Alata; font-size: x-large;">This much.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p>Scipiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12112155718721908876noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-33574348087841601152023-08-25T22:03:00.000-05:002023-08-25T22:03:26.973-05:00Blue Beetle: La Pellícula<p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"> I saw <i>Blue Beetle</i> today, and enjoyed it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">Some of the beats were a bit worn for me. "!FAMILIA!" is nearly inevitable for a film with Jaime Reyes at the center, but has "FAMILY IS EVERYTHING!" beaten to death as a pop culture message in the last 15 years, or what?</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8NuxoknVOuzNLYHgDLDB-WSLQbjpslr1ZSrIzipoYm_kIiN9tQ5W7QPzlkZu7vwH3qVn2oFG09oETFjsbaKfT_jpFXO7MPIvVPMqnMs_OFkecOOIJ34K22Fyfnfbfb3eEhaq9cZzyoCpmhJpIfMJyc5YHUubUZmavOBsYKRFRi8qd-Q6_mooY/s350/southpark_deadhorse.png.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="238" data-original-width="350" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8NuxoknVOuzNLYHgDLDB-WSLQbjpslr1ZSrIzipoYm_kIiN9tQ5W7QPzlkZu7vwH3qVn2oFG09oETFjsbaKfT_jpFXO7MPIvVPMqnMs_OFkecOOIJ34K22Fyfnfbfb3eEhaq9cZzyoCpmhJpIfMJyc5YHUubUZmavOBsYKRFRi8qd-Q6_mooY/w640-h436/southpark_deadhorse.png.webp" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Alata; font-size: x-large;">Pictured: The Supreme Importance of Family</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">Even WITHOUT "The Fast & Furious" films. Really, you can't have followed any longer-form pop culture saga without this theme having been anviled on your head incessantly. Gods help you if you don't <b>Have Family</b>, because <b>It's The Only Thing That Matters</b>, and so most popular narrative is designed to make you feel like you have NOTHING.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2a0DrRbj1QI9BWXa5HqtLgacoEXvkkJxYf5hMbHEwP3l4wqtNTK7GBwXps6na7PQx21q0JSiJWPcO7UFhOaJ8a1LClptbL_dVVphes5meIH4TuNhtIQ1nx1QKe4vjmQQJd_uqC87vGCmbqL0q65dkpkkd7R30WKvIMuX9N4rr0kHyzRTqqpBT/s884/Screenshot%202023-08-25%20at%209.05.21%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="436" data-original-width="884" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2a0DrRbj1QI9BWXa5HqtLgacoEXvkkJxYf5hMbHEwP3l4wqtNTK7GBwXps6na7PQx21q0JSiJWPcO7UFhOaJ8a1LClptbL_dVVphes5meIH4TuNhtIQ1nx1QKe4vjmQQJd_uqC87vGCmbqL0q65dkpkkd7R30WKvIMuX9N4rr0kHyzRTqqpBT/w640-h316/Screenshot%202023-08-25%20at%209.05.21%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Alata; font-size: x-large;">When you love your family so much, <br />you have to marry them.<br />BTW, only two of three people in this picture survive the ceremony.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">It's convenient for long-form narrative, because it lets writers define their cast of characters <b>As A Family</b> and then justify anything around that.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheiLLo2SODVfByxCuuCuGW9CEstsH2c5iIRoNQRHIuv56XpW9SVqO0mVMFqSLlPiGyPuNuvwtFnW1syNmlrAvW7EciXdALnlPGFeVDqxYj1qzCIVgxHTTsAf2ceDC4E3crjqeg9xJx03gmC7KNLW_3VNCMacPs3erX58x2bujfkWq8BP4Ly_P1/s1200/flashc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheiLLo2SODVfByxCuuCuGW9CEstsH2c5iIRoNQRHIuv56XpW9SVqO0mVMFqSLlPiGyPuNuvwtFnW1syNmlrAvW7EciXdALnlPGFeVDqxYj1qzCIVgxHTTsAf2ceDC4E3crjqeg9xJx03gmC7KNLW_3VNCMacPs3erX58x2bujfkWq8BP4Ly_P1/w640-h360/flashc.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Alata; font-size: x-large;">And you don't abandon family, <br />even if they aren't perfect.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">This is why it is so overused. BUT it's a theme that actually DOES belong in Blue Beetle, where it is handled, well, not subtly, certainly, but solidly. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">As for the rest of the film, </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">The CGI was good and believable, which is impressive given how difficult the Blue Beetle III concept is to visually represent. The film also has the coolest set of stairs since The Exorcist.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0O7Vy_jpJb7sfTRZF-VtnutMM7h1mBXR0NvqSDqHERMZrZvCpA6Oa8TabCMEqDPzSn-hsUJG3oYpiEl0MLMmzzxR5QTds3JmTzbYgDt_2h8UeUemx7t1IhxMeR9b7-JNRhpjcEJ0K-4wnGS-DGqVkebHVArmwARJbcZUbBLUPgdm9kH5MJAFe/s585/fdbbf31e-8137-4e02-a22d-44e91abf924817c346a20d62f8b737_IMG_1792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="585" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0O7Vy_jpJb7sfTRZF-VtnutMM7h1mBXR0NvqSDqHERMZrZvCpA6Oa8TabCMEqDPzSn-hsUJG3oYpiEl0MLMmzzxR5QTds3JmTzbYgDt_2h8UeUemx7t1IhxMeR9b7-JNRhpjcEJ0K-4wnGS-DGqVkebHVArmwARJbcZUbBLUPgdm9kH5MJAFe/w640-h426/fdbbf31e-8137-4e02-a22d-44e91abf924817c346a20d62f8b737_IMG_1792.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Alata; font-size: x-large;">Which are quite vertiginous, btw.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">Jaime and the other characters were likable and (broadly) believable (except for the villains, who were neither). </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxPd3FU4kueOixSCchUERXim85PaqlnOCfyA9WTHQmpicxhekzqCUNe8Rd3rl_HMfj9LfxP3JMIq4kls3ZgHsg3BIsYUfM7EjvPsj6DDlno544lYEMuqYKHH5g0ohPhQl-5o4RIYg0Rp5bKtUrXu9gy6TVqnr54KflsyBRjoaxqnYzBdR7qdH/s1280/flashteaserclipblogroll-1634413001702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxPd3FU4kueOixSCchUERXim85PaqlnOCfyA9WTHQmpicxhekzqCUNe8Rd3rl_HMfj9LfxP3JMIq4kls3ZgHsg3BIsYUfM7EjvPsj6DDlno544lYEMuqYKHH5g0ohPhQl-5o4RIYg0Rp5bKtUrXu9gy6TVqnr54KflsyBRjoaxqnYzBdR7qdH/w640-h360/flashteaserclipblogroll-1634413001702.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Alata; font-size: x-large;">Having a likable and believable hero as your protagonist should not be taken for granted.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">The characters are pleasant enough, if a bit stock-y: the Saintly Supportive Father, the Weepy Attentive Mother, the Perky Nana, the Sassy Sister. I missed Paco Testas and Brenda Del Vecchio, who I (<a href="https://www.cbr.com/blue-beetle-missing-paco-brenda-dceu/" target="_blank">and even CBR</a>) think of as Jaime's real supporting cast.</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2Kymi4z-EqllKeSq85Yj0jfrvZPA2LUc86H7yUuPlqpFxH2QcL5ugj3b83onYizvQNyP6ziHvLxVw1ObxiXNOhzQGKeFV1Imej1N4awwLCXnKbHxlxCC9PwqkZyHwFdWdhAUb8iFdPobJhgtEzwsFxubgjHmhOlDMvzDocEhzsGLXJcDpObe/s750/Screenshot%202023-08-25%20at%2010.49.12%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="468" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2Kymi4z-EqllKeSq85Yj0jfrvZPA2LUc86H7yUuPlqpFxH2QcL5ugj3b83onYizvQNyP6ziHvLxVw1ObxiXNOhzQGKeFV1Imej1N4awwLCXnKbHxlxCC9PwqkZyHwFdWdhAUb8iFdPobJhgtEzwsFxubgjHmhOlDMvzDocEhzsGLXJcDpObe/w400-h640/Screenshot%202023-08-25%20at%2010.49.12%20PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Alata;">They were sacrificed in favor of family, because family is all.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">The plot was pretty tight (if vague: the Scarab doesn't seem to me like something <b>Whose Code You Can Download</b>, but <u>many</u> hands were waved in the making of this film) and proceeded at a good clip; I never felt the movie dragging at any point. Except in the Afterlife, but you know how leisurely people in the Afterlife are.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">Blue Beetle history fans have every reason to be pleased, given how accurately and respectfully Dan Garret (Blue Beetle I) and Ted Kord (Blue Beetle II) are incorporated into the plot. </span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0V2JzwORjZhpJEJrZjX8npiXla78mg-E6C4i0WMumcsuOZ5Af1oOdxaqN1nJcZeoEuKg5B2b-EJEY0T_YzoJnbANKG_hsyW5LttfA6w8eRV2DEf1fyksIpnmRxcR2SgfkA9km95SposiF881r7SaGaArzGvzkwbpUT8j2KPwCqq-RAplEWH8u/s451/Carapax_02.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="405" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0V2JzwORjZhpJEJrZjX8npiXla78mg-E6C4i0WMumcsuOZ5Af1oOdxaqN1nJcZeoEuKg5B2b-EJEY0T_YzoJnbANKG_hsyW5LttfA6w8eRV2DEf1fyksIpnmRxcR2SgfkA9km95SposiF881r7SaGaArzGvzkwbpUT8j2KPwCqq-RAplEWH8u/w572-h640/Carapax_02.webp" width="572" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Alata;">I mean: Ted Kord foe <a href="https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Conrad_Carapax_(New_Earth)" target="_blank">CARAPAX</a>? Who expected THAT?!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">Delightfully, even though Ted doesn't appear, his tech DOES and it is very satisfying, because it represents him perfectly. It's goofy, amazing, impressive, and not always reliable. As one of the characters says, <b>"He was like Batman, but with a sense of humor."</b> Ted Kord doesn't cast a shadow on the movie, he shines a light on it. This is perhaps the film's most impressive feat.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">Fans of broader Ted Kord lore should pay very close attention to where his daughter is from. True fans will understand the significance of it.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkv4LiQMnCWtp0OUIqmAd3nmdj0akxJBNpYVdiQO9zGYH_4iD3Ewjpd2f1lShVyEToifxN6Fk3_doDBkmcINzytajR5VAOLDqZNNHuzyXBqSv2T7NZmCK73yJcVtbeZYj2lyI_f6wQnlz_8AZtah7RrgKzmIRZsapM9fDtBuHLwiR0PM5clVWA/s700/traditional-brigadeiro-recipe-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkv4LiQMnCWtp0OUIqmAd3nmdj0akxJBNpYVdiQO9zGYH_4iD3Ewjpd2f1lShVyEToifxN6Fk3_doDBkmcINzytajR5VAOLDqZNNHuzyXBqSv2T7NZmCK73yJcVtbeZYj2lyI_f6wQnlz_8AZtah7RrgKzmIRZsapM9fDtBuHLwiR0PM5clVWA/w640-h426/traditional-brigadeiro-recipe-9.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Alata; font-size: x-large;">It's pretty sweet.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">The film even climaxes on Pago Island. I didn't expect that amount of comics-accurate respect.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTL-z3h40G_XBwG89tE2ovuXfYXBljfqIzyXfKc8Au32y61jfaMLIAmP7qQJxAB8aQ8Dwk6erh2v_rPi7AegIQR94YXe-7FpYbm6sGq8bsDNmRxaeLu-PHzcEVBqgO9ms0nK0UJJqj8M2qihmLjkyAkQHY7ROlOMOHlx7eYr8NhQ-qLpKh9fp/s432/Pago_Island_01.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="416" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTL-z3h40G_XBwG89tE2ovuXfYXBljfqIzyXfKc8Au32y61jfaMLIAmP7qQJxAB8aQ8Dwk6erh2v_rPi7AegIQR94YXe-7FpYbm6sGq8bsDNmRxaeLu-PHzcEVBqgO9ms0nK0UJJqj8M2qihmLjkyAkQHY7ROlOMOHlx7eYr8NhQ-qLpKh9fp/w616-h640/Pago_Island_01.webp" width="616" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Alata; font-size: x-large;">That one; in the DCU. <br />Not Pago Pago; that's in Samoa.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">Mercifully, while the film includes much Blue Beetle history, it spares us any mention of The Reach or The Bleed, which have always been tedious with their Invader Zim bit. The Scarab is "alien combat tech", period.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">There are plenty of familiar (and familial) aspects of Latin culture (even more specifically, Mexican) that those in the know will be tickled by (I was slain when the film embraced The Red Grasshopper). It also does a good job of reminding us that the old people in your life have entire decades of living underlying them that you just know nothing about. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">At the cinema I saw the film at</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6QyKnXDEM6BbhZpXbDrGL1fp3MqrCCJzqONNDD9MPEC1OloDCmysLsdhgHsvSiHN1R7Y-w7Np_jKuSazQKQlJ9h0la1BVcddbuN-FTPhFVb5YnkZ3jx13ii0j8t_kLEgQg3EXScTHJslqE28vBm_DFmoQo8P48JdtIysZbumUoC15RL8RxYfU/s1360/IMG_1064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="907" data-original-width="1360" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6QyKnXDEM6BbhZpXbDrGL1fp3MqrCCJzqONNDD9MPEC1OloDCmysLsdhgHsvSiHN1R7Y-w7Np_jKuSazQKQlJ9h0la1BVcddbuN-FTPhFVb5YnkZ3jx13ii0j8t_kLEgQg3EXScTHJslqE28vBm_DFmoQo8P48JdtIysZbumUoC15RL8RxYfU/w640-h426/IMG_1064.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Alata; font-size: x-large;">The Alamo Drafthouse, which has really made <b>Going To The Movies</b> a special treat again.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">a trailer interview with Blue Beetle's director (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3924049/?ref_=tt_ov_dr" target="_blank">Angel Manuel Soto</a>, famed chronicler of Menudo) ran before the film that was elucidating. What struck me most was his understanding that shifting the setting from El Paso (where Jaime originally was in comics) to a fictionalized version of that city ("Palmera City") is a "promotion" for Blue Beetle, because tentpole heroes in the DCU have <b>Their Own Cities</b> and lesser ones generally do not. It's one of the most clear reinforcements of one of my favorite concepts, the idea that<b> The Fictionopolis matters</b> and it's one of the DCU's advantages over the Marvelverse.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMBJLc1448nv8lyk1NvCksSx5z2bym3LwPYySlQoDgCZz6AVEoDrXRtouVw0IHaGrI8A0f6DSz_UTpnoncbosBALaABrZePoFV8B-78rcIvrZPMzs0JMt1bHGOrwvK_qc_ASwfs0DBp4wRdKD1NB5RRPoCaJn2DlkGz0g2Jr6lqOrgAMwuRrh/s1538/Palmera_City_01.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1538" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMBJLc1448nv8lyk1NvCksSx5z2bym3LwPYySlQoDgCZz6AVEoDrXRtouVw0IHaGrI8A0f6DSz_UTpnoncbosBALaABrZePoFV8B-78rcIvrZPMzs0JMt1bHGOrwvK_qc_ASwfs0DBp4wRdKD1NB5RRPoCaJn2DlkGz0g2Jr6lqOrgAMwuRrh/w416-h640/Palmera_City_01.webp" width="416" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Alata; font-size: x-large;">Palmera City was created FOR the film, but appeared in comics at least half a year earlier, because comic books not written by Frank Miller come out faster than movies do.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">P.S. Because sometimes <b>The Fat Funny Friend</b> is FAMILY, the film has George Lopez in it. Prominently. But I still recommend that you see it, which is high praise, indeed.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFBJTYEMJUbiBAjzuNSU90jx8jOnXN_2AeAIcqQkWYB5vuwaUPZT5yRRmQxYjSa1YWz9IfW4rb7S6wRLnP3mNkNnjMM6u8Rub7ebGalMoDXXF-LyQkNzkqve4b5md9jTvgpLWw4PJJjBh8UihpxefPyYpJ_g7E7otoFykQBlQucP-985mDEidn/s800/lopet.jpg.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFBJTYEMJUbiBAjzuNSU90jx8jOnXN_2AeAIcqQkWYB5vuwaUPZT5yRRmQxYjSa1YWz9IfW4rb7S6wRLnP3mNkNnjMM6u8Rub7ebGalMoDXXF-LyQkNzkqve4b5md9jTvgpLWw4PJJjBh8UihpxefPyYpJ_g7E7otoFykQBlQucP-985mDEidn/w640-h360/lopet.jpg.webp" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Alata; font-size: x-large;">Tragically, his character survives. <br />Truly, a failed promise.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p>Scipiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12112155718721908876noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-80921705831055286592023-08-25T06:27:00.014-05:002023-08-27T08:48:31.053-05:00How To Dress Like Speed Saunders: The Basics<p> <span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: xx-large;">First and foremost you need the puce Glenurquhart Estate Check suit (or at least the jacket).</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdbnl_0obDb_HPWtaqeOl9IUE-CQCPBT_q_K1Mkx82DI-ihNCS6hKtn7nbG30mAi3OEoSiKMQZEyMNZhMOZIM0_uWPcGh3BfiZMNzwYgqJVtJZiBdTEtpWWFw88YTJNBujsfqN1NcT4IOWfYZqr4vnyFupbros2ToWE6DRq4RwggLUw7WLKbmL6HZ8xDHv/s1582/Screenshot%202023-08-20%20at%2010.45.28%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1582" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdbnl_0obDb_HPWtaqeOl9IUE-CQCPBT_q_K1Mkx82DI-ihNCS6hKtn7nbG30mAi3OEoSiKMQZEyMNZhMOZIM0_uWPcGh3BfiZMNzwYgqJVtJZiBdTEtpWWFw88YTJNBujsfqN1NcT4IOWfYZqr4vnyFupbros2ToWE6DRq4RwggLUw7WLKbmL6HZ8xDHv/w640-h436/Screenshot%202023-08-20%20at%2010.45.28%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Alata; font-size: x-large;">God bless Calvin Klein</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6A7SxLat4OrWZoQxpJY56mZrA__zR1E_s6C7ZkLXSKQFHoXGBsp3QTG7cqp-UxKSDS1ijPzx1CAIPGrG9PfYMYlEKRa77-SRIncc34Jlno6INGdc6-l2JG2ls-mvvHqLQRbOlv8wEAKaEje760tCfTMR7xdCWmFI4s45UMt_D7dZlPkgpMq1u2DfTXIdm/s1232/Screenshot%202023-08-20%20at%2010.45.44%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1074" data-original-width="1232" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6A7SxLat4OrWZoQxpJY56mZrA__zR1E_s6C7ZkLXSKQFHoXGBsp3QTG7cqp-UxKSDS1ijPzx1CAIPGrG9PfYMYlEKRa77-SRIncc34Jlno6INGdc6-l2JG2ls-mvvHqLQRbOlv8wEAKaEje760tCfTMR7xdCWmFI4s45UMt_D7dZlPkgpMq1u2DfTXIdm/w640-h556/Screenshot%202023-08-20%20at%2010.45.44%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Alata; font-size: x-large;">Since no one would be caught dead wearing a tieless cutaway collar, let alone one in Cubicle Blue, I can only assume this is a mannequin, rather than a corpse.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">Don't wear the jacket with TAN pants like this, not even if you are dead. Pair with solid black slacks; the inker will thank you for it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">If you want to go the whole nine yards, wear the whole suit. This should be reserved for full-body scenes like standing outside a building.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU61T_iMQzlCbNpSEYKM5GvIsb2VqNh60d5dnKuUF0ZK8bMNt0MIQxZuhloUyJVnnKijme8AERcvVMLsVCtGxM-Xa8xWuAW8E3idxQJp3jKdgoVQ-yWIsAg0Z0dsz662WwlimWmvG5fxvLZL_1pBszWiBzOqpYMcQo8PjumJ-LssMBCKBv_oapZUMDlVA8/s1882/Screenshot%202023-08-20%20at%2010.51.18%20PM.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1728" data-original-width="1882" height="588" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU61T_iMQzlCbNpSEYKM5GvIsb2VqNh60d5dnKuUF0ZK8bMNt0MIQxZuhloUyJVnnKijme8AERcvVMLsVCtGxM-Xa8xWuAW8E3idxQJp3jKdgoVQ-yWIsAg0Z0dsz662WwlimWmvG5fxvLZL_1pBszWiBzOqpYMcQo8PjumJ-LssMBCKBv_oapZUMDlVA8/w640-h588/Screenshot%202023-08-20%20at%2010.51.18%20PM.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Alata; font-size: x-large;">Sure it costs more, but it's worth it just for the Summoning Authority Figure scenes.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">OBVIOUSLY, a pocket square is required. It must be white, in a two-point fold. Do not accouter it with a flat-line pocket square, as this unshaven fool has. There as many possible errors in this regard as there are pocket folds.</span><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvrS68PlC9ITDHBk8Ww6cw06yNZDuG5sfiGvDuj9cN7ozeEDORCQavB30JYUZyRoeJPo-bA7W5aSJEWd1RMlfN6kURUCWmoJ7r8ZZfmP46rExgdEjSqWPgz9KE-7eeyp2uoddOrnZfZIc3ZaoTdWuzfZXlLxNt226M9KRF9YJdCxJm7RDtzqsAM4kcV01/s767/3c4d3b26b798a59148b5319fa6a20ee6.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="767" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvrS68PlC9ITDHBk8Ww6cw06yNZDuG5sfiGvDuj9cN7ozeEDORCQavB30JYUZyRoeJPo-bA7W5aSJEWd1RMlfN6kURUCWmoJ7r8ZZfmP46rExgdEjSqWPgz9KE-7eeyp2uoddOrnZfZIc3ZaoTdWuzfZXlLxNt226M9KRF9YJdCxJm7RDtzqsAM4kcV01/w640-h512/3c4d3b26b798a59148b5319fa6a20ee6.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Alata; font-size: x-large;">ONLY ONE of these is permissible. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">Remember, Speed Saunders is stylish, but not a DANDY. He employs only the classic double-peak fold, distinguishing himself the single-peak-wearing clod (such as your Slam Bradley types) and the triple-peaked clowns (like Bentley of Scotland Yard).</span><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-o3E_8l6IeUa7gjYnOD6FnTw9XxmaD3f_WD3xws2aaI26t72yiWG2L8FkfylD5P_5eccLiiiAy-8fYa8WESlWJljKH0GBUffLyEcWAfSVgKA6ZYOD7mVpFZigW_n9lshpqX9f7hKFxisvVLuSR_XFxnmoa3xDLmYnpgkmJpxkBddiVzfd7HcOcLbwglaS/s1084/Screenshot%202023-08-25%20at%206.55.11%20AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1084" data-original-width="666" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-o3E_8l6IeUa7gjYnOD6FnTw9XxmaD3f_WD3xws2aaI26t72yiWG2L8FkfylD5P_5eccLiiiAy-8fYa8WESlWJljKH0GBUffLyEcWAfSVgKA6ZYOD7mVpFZigW_n9lshpqX9f7hKFxisvVLuSR_XFxnmoa3xDLmYnpgkmJpxkBddiVzfd7HcOcLbwglaS/w394-h640/Screenshot%202023-08-25%20at%206.55.11%20AM.png" width="394" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Alata; font-size: x-large;">Bentley, who wears white socks and brown shoes <br />with an undeserved blue double-breasted. Ugh.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismPrJ3N8TXQGko4LWkJyoxP8C3EQEytwJHo_vQLEUWH-1pWY75JxwpNubcUk4drHLAlHRABuAEDV5Ju0PzZ5FqLPYfpDs9hy9Ci4dWkf83M2Ty15NshK5PcUTRRslaElIX2qNAfq54twGWsSbbnKoo--Hj92uSqnDM_RI7ayWuQco0rh30EbI/s762/Screenshot%202023-08-25%20at%207.09.28%20AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="762" data-original-width="438" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismPrJ3N8TXQGko4LWkJyoxP8C3EQEytwJHo_vQLEUWH-1pWY75JxwpNubcUk4drHLAlHRABuAEDV5Ju0PzZ5FqLPYfpDs9hy9Ci4dWkf83M2Ty15NshK5PcUTRRslaElIX2qNAfq54twGWsSbbnKoo--Hj92uSqnDM_RI7ayWuQco0rh30EbI/w368-h640/Screenshot%202023-08-25%20at%207.09.28%20AM.png" width="368" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Alata; font-size: x-large;">A THREE-PIECE double-breasted. <br />Ugh; Bentley. Why hasn't anyone arrested YOU?!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large; text-align: left;"></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">No, the only choice for a Speed Saunders outfit is the two-point, thus:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzc5l4VxjjtcDC5ZmQB8I2v_2-sXw4ehq9jE4zLXOV90uDAEox38kQ3CEWjM3qs6_rc4O-2ID-tpKCCnQELu5vwhWhFHv3nfDCfAbvRw3gfBxHhP23gdwwZ-dPpZoGHTZA0kvypZ2wOlvBRwc1tkmVyx-teTuu1K-0CJAaGbQyTVSyzgiTe7MZGGVfV-kJ/s1102/two_point_pocket-square-fold.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1102" data-original-width="735" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzc5l4VxjjtcDC5ZmQB8I2v_2-sXw4ehq9jE4zLXOV90uDAEox38kQ3CEWjM3qs6_rc4O-2ID-tpKCCnQELu5vwhWhFHv3nfDCfAbvRw3gfBxHhP23gdwwZ-dPpZoGHTZA0kvypZ2wOlvBRwc1tkmVyx-teTuu1K-0CJAaGbQyTVSyzgiTe7MZGGVfV-kJ/w426-h640/two_point_pocket-square-fold.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Alata; font-size: x-large;">I include this diagram for those of you who did not manage to acquire this knowledge at the orphanage or Reform School for Boys.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">Wear these with any WHITE point-collar (and ONLY a point-collar) dress shirt.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img alt="Men's Dress Shirt Collar Types | The Various Styles Explained – Nimble Made" aria-hidden="false" class="r48jcc pT0Scc iPVvYb" jsaction="VQAsE" jsname="kn3ccd" src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0029/1887/5193/files/collar_types_by_formality_68f5c134-30b1-4a89-b515-ee35d43838ee_1024x1024.jpg?v=1575929221" style="-webkit-user-drag: auto; -webkit-user-select: text; height: 603px; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 726px; width: 428px;" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Alata; font-size: x-large;">Remember, if you wear it with a button-down collar, the authorities have orders to shoot you on sight.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">Off-setting the expense of the jacket/suit is the reverse-barbershop (black and red) tie, which can be gotten for a song.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgale3LgjCEZfmSSOw0nmtQ3pxPIdThbMafYLLoZ0Ak__5XU9K0NiYJviGv8gK-60tlfieQrTfa3Acu1f07gwhr-lIQJ1vfRkIfCBh7X6DOmDXcyYfGIO4avXLdTM-09VQCxMZGgG9WBJ2fxoAx4IxwZHebxuXdb5pX3zJQzO7bQ9XMxjgu3sNNuem348hC/s1994/Screenshot%202023-08-20%20at%2010.47.14%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1318" data-original-width="1994" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgale3LgjCEZfmSSOw0nmtQ3pxPIdThbMafYLLoZ0Ak__5XU9K0NiYJviGv8gK-60tlfieQrTfa3Acu1f07gwhr-lIQJ1vfRkIfCBh7X6DOmDXcyYfGIO4avXLdTM-09VQCxMZGgG9WBJ2fxoAx4IxwZHebxuXdb5pX3zJQzO7bQ9XMxjgu3sNNuem348hC/w640-h424/Screenshot%202023-08-20%20at%2010.47.14%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Alata; font-size: x-large;">Note that they could not even find a corpse or mannequin that would monstrously wear this knot with a spread collar thus. *shudder*</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">N.B. This tie MUST be <b><i>Bendy Sinister</i></b>. If it is BENDY, rather than Bendy <u>Sinister</u>, children will point and mock, ladies avert their gaze, gentlemen shake their heads, and all members of the Speed Saunders Aficionados Club will deny you food, water, shelter, and witty conversation, and you will be subject to their pitiless Faces of Judgement. Furthermore, Metropolitan Libraries will be within their rights to forbid you entry.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">Finally, the hat, which, always remember is to be one WHENEVER one is outside or soon to be outside. Do not remove your hat if you have to just tesseract inside for one or two panels to question someone. It wastes too much time.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">You will need TWO hats; a summer-weight orange trilby and a winter-weight orange trilby (if you don't already have them).</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbYNH20Id0PPclyinzRgU7WRKQtheAAXDAMhblcSKnK0c1g4FR4kn96z2_kGIvHGOcNK9XliKcCd2dE_iQSSXoP50i4vwRh2yjUkyXl6zKp95PJRYQNnzKn2yq_tSbA-btpuRTsN6_X_hHKOKzlm97HntgVYNJwmHbIHWT7a3z2lC1wtjHxXFrCEgfbRS/s1824/Screenshot%202023-08-20%20at%2010.49.46%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="446" data-original-width="1824" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbYNH20Id0PPclyinzRgU7WRKQtheAAXDAMhblcSKnK0c1g4FR4kn96z2_kGIvHGOcNK9XliKcCd2dE_iQSSXoP50i4vwRh2yjUkyXl6zKp95PJRYQNnzKn2yq_tSbA-btpuRTsN6_X_hHKOKzlm97HntgVYNJwmHbIHWT7a3z2lC1wtjHxXFrCEgfbRS/w640-h156/Screenshot%202023-08-20%20at%2010.49.46%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">I am embarrassed for the sellers who were driven to nonsensically call it a "trilby fedora" because their customers are Americans or philistines.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZUgfy2_ZKj57atYaYJjjyV1DemsrRVUFHY7qS7IMOqpuTvVP75CNq0EKkPJPGuH0EgVCpKCCCQp2bnLnHas7lg9BbsAyeU2OM7FP9ECnqR9CxTgpNvD80_pgo300BoYvcvVGtSVbP3ro-d51fU_8vjwA4mZvGcDLCnrWynm09TqOynIMWHlYZwatpgR5N/s1394/Screenshot%202023-08-25%20at%207.14.05%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="982" data-original-width="1394" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZUgfy2_ZKj57atYaYJjjyV1DemsrRVUFHY7qS7IMOqpuTvVP75CNq0EKkPJPGuH0EgVCpKCCCQp2bnLnHas7lg9BbsAyeU2OM7FP9ECnqR9CxTgpNvD80_pgo300BoYvcvVGtSVbP3ro-d51fU_8vjwA4mZvGcDLCnrWynm09TqOynIMWHlYZwatpgR5N/w640-h450/Screenshot%202023-08-25%20at%207.14.05%20AM.png" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">NOT a fedora; a trilby. We are Ace Investigators, not the Crimson Avenger. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">And that's it! So simple! You are now ready for your Speed Saunders cos-play.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Y04xyv2HNPZ4B_xs90LcqIQnuaadHym9Hs61hE7s2QiiIiALQimIIEoQh7m4bZzVEo53Lo8y7FGGkh69FkaJv9Lu3R6lnpmS5jqXSq5jowvbJlHm_Tv8VJqNx_A7UDaKLOEFAIuiJhwjqEFxw1WeGKtjIdYVIu8eA7dPHUr_XL9r1kV8p7hEYSPbC7GB/s639/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.44.14%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="436" data-original-width="639" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Y04xyv2HNPZ4B_xs90LcqIQnuaadHym9Hs61hE7s2QiiIiALQimIIEoQh7m4bZzVEo53Lo8y7FGGkh69FkaJv9Lu3R6lnpmS5jqXSq5jowvbJlHm_Tv8VJqNx_A7UDaKLOEFAIuiJhwjqEFxw1WeGKtjIdYVIu8eA7dPHUr_XL9r1kV8p7hEYSPbC7GB/w640-h436/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.44.14%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p></div></div></div>Scipiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12112155718721908876noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-62970865961227474452023-08-22T09:59:00.001-05:002023-08-22T09:59:43.902-05:00The Glass of Poison, Part Six; ALMOST too late, I guess!<p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">We left Speed and Saunders-Girl yesterdayin a Lacquer Lake cabin, at the mercy of "Big Shot" Bettini, unproved murderer of author Philippa Rowen. Ever-polite Bettini makes a oddly highlighted offer to Speed...</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPJ5aUgF3__wJORYd6xp12OEWu_kQHASiEUH5LHkEkN6hOBQ9FJwEVljHerdeJVLhA3UVy2go7nqWhqWiF9SKapljb3s9egpQgqzKTpFAO8amOSBO8CU3bt4y2_j_tI6mLQPltmDGqxx6BTAVbVKm9IVduGmu-k4_BDzkmrk-KObzJxjflH6l/s742/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.45.16%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="698" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPJ5aUgF3__wJORYd6xp12OEWu_kQHASiEUH5LHkEkN6hOBQ9FJwEVljHerdeJVLhA3UVy2go7nqWhqWiF9SKapljb3s9egpQgqzKTpFAO8amOSBO8CU3bt4y2_j_tI6mLQPltmDGqxx6BTAVbVKm9IVduGmu-k4_BDzkmrk-KObzJxjflH6l/w602-h640/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.45.16%20PM.png" width="602" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: x-large;">In all the zillions of comics I have read, this is literally the ONLY time I have ever seen text in a word balloon highlighted in this fashion. Whatever innovation you imagine, it was probably done first in a Golden Age comic you just haven't seen it yet.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">Suspicious of the highlighting, Speed, realizing that time is of the essence and determined not to be Too Late again, takes the liberty of SKIPPING VOWELS to get to the point.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORT1i03obpGKPOIbq1onp215GAqvIcZ2locdPgzJVZzkU9GGzPdvKnAqGJ89O5PmiQlLn_cn70Y0lTCLkoTO1wuxeCQXN3Oj7opsQRBjOHLy7-NMvC-RJSjqqZhLehaXXwfbE4FqSODozGplFHbgdCtI8ZOH17N4kO5XGtyH6KTXqvGU3GQqC/s714/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.45.22%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="714" height="626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORT1i03obpGKPOIbq1onp215GAqvIcZ2locdPgzJVZzkU9GGzPdvKnAqGJ89O5PmiQlLn_cn70Y0lTCLkoTO1wuxeCQXN3Oj7opsQRBjOHLy7-NMvC-RJSjqqZhLehaXXwfbE4FqSODozGplFHbgdCtI8ZOH17N4kO5XGtyH6KTXqvGU3GQqC/w640-h626/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.45.22%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Walter Turncoat; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>SNFF! SNFF!</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">NOW Speed has all the evidence he needs, so all HECK breaks loose!</span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnv06hgkh1ntGJOZxul5uuwx-Pg84ecavx79iJ3kkrocXHqM_DJRWAi4kUF_kCNOK1Qnno3Ut_ipiU1cO59Q9gunfRXPrz5UgPs56XWGWbFLX9PJyTQQLQDRzfjPBEF1RlFYixFxU_0GqvGa-Mz5I2oyWblH8WMOz5W-2746yk9q1-ilAkHryV/s698/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.45.28%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="662" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnv06hgkh1ntGJOZxul5uuwx-Pg84ecavx79iJ3kkrocXHqM_DJRWAi4kUF_kCNOK1Qnno3Ut_ipiU1cO59Q9gunfRXPrz5UgPs56XWGWbFLX9PJyTQQLQDRzfjPBEF1RlFYixFxU_0GqvGa-Mz5I2oyWblH8WMOz5W-2746yk9q1-ilAkHryV/w604-h640/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.45.28%20PM.png" width="604" /></span></a></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">Speeds distracts the villains by trapping them inside an enforced choreographic reproduction of Pablo Picasso's recently painted <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guernica_(Picasso)#:~:text=Guernica%20(Spanish%3A%20%5B%C9%A1e%C9%BEˈnika%5D,Museo%20Reina%20Sofía%20in%20Madrid." target="_blank">Guernica</a></i>, NOW IN COLOR!</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYxR-v_U64vrLXwM1JCoGeq8QtblPZ8NbrDsTmO0yFx-v76dSCJ5R-ocGpRUb2JIJ6nFaeuqEg2zo9ddfe5DG5vPWmES4d4Jfpk8Ee4nFBWLU1nbaKVI53Mz2Ay-j6jm31aWZ7ibt2lkPB6eGxGMhEOgrufFeSme2z6C9GHpOw56VGkZewL7d/s1438/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.45.35%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1438" data-original-width="1050" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYxR-v_U64vrLXwM1JCoGeq8QtblPZ8NbrDsTmO0yFx-v76dSCJ5R-ocGpRUb2JIJ6nFaeuqEg2zo9ddfe5DG5vPWmES4d4Jfpk8Ee4nFBWLU1nbaKVI53Mz2Ay-j6jm31aWZ7ibt2lkPB6eGxGMhEOgrufFeSme2z6C9GHpOw56VGkZewL7d/w468-h640/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.45.35%20PM.png" width="468" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: x-large;">Bettini is the Bull; I think Speed is the Horse. <br />Red-stripe guy is the Floaty Face.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">In the scuffle, Speeds takes advantage of his superior knowledge of contemporary art (gleaned no doubt from book in the Metropolitan Library or under the tutelage of<a href="https://absorbascon.blogspot.com/2021/07/the-persian-jewel-mystery-part-1-i.html" target="_blank"> his cousin, Slow Saunders, Ace Art Restorationist</a>), to (somehow) regain his pistol and control of the situation...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2amCHPVD57FD7EiT3TtLIZJmOmRHMjOBKgE8jaF2fsCEQ-jEa-vdsKyXwwH-iMcbYJIVWDNR7pwBFJEjQWQqY00IzAXo81dalZJ5BAAgAYKSJGFk7XE0HBZXkWShEB_tp4OgrnCu9LVHhLOgz1N4sFMpiMx7Q7hRH2VfeIW-jMVUT-19vxeB/s1044/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.45.41%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="708" data-original-width="1044" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2amCHPVD57FD7EiT3TtLIZJmOmRHMjOBKgE8jaF2fsCEQ-jEa-vdsKyXwwH-iMcbYJIVWDNR7pwBFJEjQWQqY00IzAXo81dalZJ5BAAgAYKSJGFk7XE0HBZXkWShEB_tp4OgrnCu9LVHhLOgz1N4sFMpiMx7Q7hRH2VfeIW-jMVUT-19vxeB/w640-h434/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.45.41%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">just in time for the arrival of FRANK, the Safety Patrolman whom he earlier engaged as backup.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqsE5mCQxBYtj6aNkaKNsShKn3sN0Wu-y7p1vlKB1L1nGTTbd9QfkO63T5gXJqzU2giPwu8kxYIlH2T6cn3i1nlCIAeNFfGGETmUazdbi2UG27KGDgdsr71lqrwBho_jqXzrJbMaaOvBaCq8CADoDdc0bmIJ8umLtNQ9EcA_63SH42_UQQG5kz/s1044/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.45.47%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1044" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqsE5mCQxBYtj6aNkaKNsShKn3sN0Wu-y7p1vlKB1L1nGTTbd9QfkO63T5gXJqzU2giPwu8kxYIlH2T6cn3i1nlCIAeNFfGGETmUazdbi2UG27KGDgdsr71lqrwBho_jqXzrJbMaaOvBaCq8CADoDdc0bmIJ8umLtNQ9EcA_63SH42_UQQG5kz/w640-h428/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.45.47%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Walter Turncoat; font-size: x-large;">"You are worthless, Frank. If it weren't for my weird fetish for burly strong-jawed mustachioed authority figures in leather sashes, I'd shoot you right now on the spot."</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">Speed remands the villains into Hank's strong, if tardy, hands, and prepares to be asked for: THE SPEEDSPLANATION!</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQ1g241fHK2KHBUUxPV7xj2DB2UB4enncQHGcla4BporoWzIEbFYRRd24CilgtuZjyB1834TP5gMOpjjcPfnddDi6URyhPwFhHUHOA2CM0xIx9Da30MuBelroDYFWBFofUUL80H3amx1hsX_xucsMQVRryV3jZQMqeH6g830QlL5IYlSY0B5y/s1384/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.45.54%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="1384" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQ1g241fHK2KHBUUxPV7xj2DB2UB4enncQHGcla4BporoWzIEbFYRRd24CilgtuZjyB1834TP5gMOpjjcPfnddDi6URyhPwFhHUHOA2CM0xIx9Da30MuBelroDYFWBFofUUL80H3amx1hsX_xucsMQVRryV3jZQMqeH6g830QlL5IYlSY0B5y/w640-h338/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.45.54%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: x-large;">Betty knows she has ONE job in this strip. It's STUPID, but she's going to do it.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><u>HERE WE GO</u>:</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42gUfA043YnT_nelqnAsWMwu5AqtaajUhPkJqoobzz4WRUtz5szJsCgg5IU0DCHkdHZpZdNN53Rqs3gyrk4ybOT4I4fggl1sV5mYQmRKpkd6RmdRoHqsMYFcn_LSz28OhHeoHydD1Dxvb_7SIGD3OshCETKBNdxqqav7qO3uHGXmjEbD3Kuur/s744/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.45.58%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="666" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42gUfA043YnT_nelqnAsWMwu5AqtaajUhPkJqoobzz4WRUtz5szJsCgg5IU0DCHkdHZpZdNN53Rqs3gyrk4ybOT4I4fggl1sV5mYQmRKpkd6RmdRoHqsMYFcn_LSz28OhHeoHydD1Dxvb_7SIGD3OshCETKBNdxqqav7qO3uHGXmjEbD3Kuur/w572-h640/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.45.58%20PM.png" width="572" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">That...</span><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">makes sense. Like, completely. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">I mean, it's still unclear just how Bettini casually visited Phillippa Rowen and convinced the woman poised to destroy his reputation utterly to have a drink and a cigarette with him, but... it's 1938. People didn't do ANYTHING without having a drink and a cigarette. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">But for a Speed Saunders plot it makes a SHOCKING amount of sense. And we were actually given all the clues we needed to figure it out. Lipstick on the body but not on the glass; Speed insisting that the glass be siphoned not poured (lest the LACK of lip marks be obscured by pouring). Sure, it would have been fairer if you'd seen an ashtray (not the used cigarette, which Bettini surely took with him) with the body, but, again, it's 1938; there's an ashtray EVERYWHERE.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">Speed fooled us all by giving us a pretty fair chance of solving the mystery. Speed always wins.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p></div>Scipiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12112155718721908876noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-50409693888970776562023-08-21T07:30:00.003-05:002023-08-21T07:56:26.746-05:00The Glass of Poison, Part Five: Speed Arrives Too Late and Just In Time<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">As we anticipated, Speeds arrives too late (as in tardy) to save Betty Palmer, confidant of Speed's late (as in dead) downstairs neighbor, author Phillippa Rowen, from being kidnapped by gangster "Big Shot" Bettini.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLZvzz8dqZ-R1f8a9obqjnqOxBpSzDE0aPFwgT7MELK6VhAkqhD3FcXpnQHKEOBOVKzxuky6jOcVeEChQIEjKjgpzox50dp771FKcwnA5rd09p5H5WMVxK14DwKlGzJsExofArCcn4InG0vAshUThqNcT3M2brPfQXBGGzdxb5hN9fEOBcD_bq/s1026/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.43.57%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="1026" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLZvzz8dqZ-R1f8a9obqjnqOxBpSzDE0aPFwgT7MELK6VhAkqhD3FcXpnQHKEOBOVKzxuky6jOcVeEChQIEjKjgpzox50dp771FKcwnA5rd09p5H5WMVxK14DwKlGzJsExofArCcn4InG0vAshUThqNcT3M2brPfQXBGGzdxb5hN9fEOBcD_bq/w640-h444/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.43.57%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;"><br />That panel belongs in a gallery. If Roy Lichenstein had ever encountered a Speed Saunders comic, we would live in a very different world indeed.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">With characteristic Golden Age respect for saving shoe leather, we smash-cut right to Speed speeding away in the Speedmobile, which he somehow recovered after taking a subway and a taxi to Betty's place.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6d28O19R_uQiFMj6A_3dyDae2RXKl0xW-Jh9MrMb0luo48d7Fa5va3Y4oc1HFLRUL01WNK1yfcIxoDcLphV-uIF4C0JM3KbJid2abBjQM6xghXdh6Wvfl3fQQhakrbTzwi056jRUN9BQalFhGGR6ePcPTnHUSm9cdgbdv0AWFO_ZJDGgbOAoy/s1038/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.44.02%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="706" data-original-width="1038" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6d28O19R_uQiFMj6A_3dyDae2RXKl0xW-Jh9MrMb0luo48d7Fa5va3Y4oc1HFLRUL01WNK1yfcIxoDcLphV-uIF4C0JM3KbJid2abBjQM6xghXdh6Wvfl3fQQhakrbTzwi056jRUN9BQalFhGGR6ePcPTnHUSm9cdgbdv0AWFO_ZJDGgbOAoy/w640-h436/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.44.02%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Walter Turncoat; font-size: large;">"I do wish Cousin Slow had gotten around to putting the top back on the car, for it is often cold there by Lacquer Lake!"</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Why does Speed know that Bettini has a cabin on Lacquer Lake? Because it saves time, of course. Once he arrives at Lacquer Lake via <b>swift traveling</b>, he uses one of his special powers: conjuring a mustachioed mono-syllabically-named Safety Patrol officer as back up.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMOl8J-wXV3-rLHYD6ckwWweVgk7iH2FZ6Lb099AXHZcDxtjS40poawKihZviMKetFZ3QqU2v9BE9ZceT5SQg-ISftSDxLjsjip9soBncNuN2IJT0RZ1y11MoxwZbf4WdHFyC2I4t5xpqverEVkW5D8iq_xfgT1t7QtxvBjP9pDVpqbPGFcSPW/s1022/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.44.10%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="1022" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMOl8J-wXV3-rLHYD6ckwWweVgk7iH2FZ6Lb099AXHZcDxtjS40poawKihZviMKetFZ3QqU2v9BE9ZceT5SQg-ISftSDxLjsjip9soBncNuN2IJT0RZ1y11MoxwZbf4WdHFyC2I4t5xpqverEVkW5D8iq_xfgT1t7QtxvBjP9pDVpqbPGFcSPW/w640-h436/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.44.10%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan;"><br />I envision this scene as performance utterance. It isn't that Hank is there which causes Speed to speak. It is Speed's speaking that happens first, causing Hank to be there. It's how Speed creates the world; before his promotion to Ace Investigator, he was</span><span style="font-family: Newsreader;"> יהוה .</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Speeds deduces (decides, really) that Betty is in Bettini's cabin because the lights are on. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAlVvWUy6CfDIkbuprh2pWr_O1Sd57K4wUkQuV6g2aED4mK56cN-a3vEbE0XchWe6KR44SCuRwnM9ni1_B5mkFF7tFTL9EOv3fIXYg2-DRe0cXs4oGEkNdXGBuSb1iWO37K9pcz9uLpqnfGLZ_xxSZqK_pEd8y-kFg6rckn3Ub8UKEVx2Nar0/s1038/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.44.14%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="708" data-original-width="1038" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAlVvWUy6CfDIkbuprh2pWr_O1Sd57K4wUkQuV6g2aED4mK56cN-a3vEbE0XchWe6KR44SCuRwnM9ni1_B5mkFF7tFTL9EOv3fIXYg2-DRe0cXs4oGEkNdXGBuSb1iWO37K9pcz9uLpqnfGLZ_xxSZqK_pEd8y-kFg6rckn3Ub8UKEVx2Nar0/w640-h436/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.44.14%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">But, Speed, what if the lights are on but nobody's home? That would be pretty on point for a Speed Saunders' foe.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">Just in time to save Betty from the old<a href="https://comiclists.wordpress.com/tag/eye-injuries/" target="_blank"> Injury To The Eye Motif</a>, Speed arrives at </span><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">the cabin... </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpF0CX3oyOkDyX8PD0Ihf8srRIWAPbuDYQw7zc0r2tabb1usDh22ZkqlvIXsEvIdOTvgjX0cQ4i5life18qWutuCTUE9xL0LhbZ_0k_SIiu5bDrNRAHA4RPoBA4JxEKyKvc2WowZTCvdwe74KlJnBw4RZ3hh2mwN9lByY6QjFNaINklMp_1j6S/s1420/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.44.22%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1420" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpF0CX3oyOkDyX8PD0Ihf8srRIWAPbuDYQw7zc0r2tabb1usDh22ZkqlvIXsEvIdOTvgjX0cQ4i5life18qWutuCTUE9xL0LhbZ_0k_SIiu5bDrNRAHA4RPoBA4JxEKyKvc2WowZTCvdwe74KlJnBw4RZ3hh2mwN9lByY6QjFNaINklMp_1j6S/w640-h316/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.44.22%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader;"><br />N</span><span style="font-family: League Spartan;">ot bad, Speed. "Up with 'em, Bettini" ALMOST sounds like English.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">where Bettini is playing "poke her" with some friends and hoping Betty folds rather than call his bluff. Then Speed closes the case by arresting Bettini for murder against the background of the world's largest piece of red velvet cake.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4UYEq7zDpKpfwQa6fZbR7FdokRpMiC_2cmL-mtoUtgznyNO6XQC3eByQsHZbNCZDh6VIKSjviMM02z7Ubcfyvp85Gu5OCHbYn0y4dTpGYJTqUfJak_CYUtcsaH8l83-4RFCTc8QT-DDkzhX68KVkXz89WyfxRvWYBRIw-Gz9ZoWPpaX_w5Bou/s698/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.44.26%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="658" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4UYEq7zDpKpfwQa6fZbR7FdokRpMiC_2cmL-mtoUtgznyNO6XQC3eByQsHZbNCZDh6VIKSjviMM02z7Ubcfyvp85Gu5OCHbYn0y4dTpGYJTqUfJak_CYUtcsaH8l83-4RFCTc8QT-DDkzhX68KVkXz89WyfxRvWYBRIw-Gz9ZoWPpaX_w5Bou/w604-h640/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.44.26%20PM.png" width="604" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;"><br />Have you deduced yet why Speed had Phillippa's champagne glass SIPHONED empty of its contents, rather than poured out? There's still time.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Oops! Speed's arrest is cut short when one of Big Shot Bettini's goon gets the drop on him with a Tommy gun.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMcdvVfYIlvKhml1xed7WKMpkw_Zwy8-K5ev0OAwkoVwh9MVJAaW35G4zVoB-f_W-7X3gwt3Z1QBt6o3V2qhReJQaZIh0C_eHt6b9Q879beNuA3HVlbOQ59vUoEb8SR-A3q3y1cJfuz66JjwF0r9_Dh_elpRgVDZOqLyQFUwBpXyhbW7SbYK0S/s1410/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.44.32%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="1410" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMcdvVfYIlvKhml1xed7WKMpkw_Zwy8-K5ev0OAwkoVwh9MVJAaW35G4zVoB-f_W-7X3gwt3Z1QBt6o3V2qhReJQaZIh0C_eHt6b9Q879beNuA3HVlbOQ59vUoEb8SR-A3q3y1cJfuz66JjwF0r9_Dh_elpRgVDZOqLyQFUwBpXyhbW7SbYK0S/w640-h328/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.44.32%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader;">"</span><span style="font-family: Walter Turncoat;">And don't try none of that fancy <b>Face o' Judgement</b> crap on me, neither. Keep yer mug right where it is."</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Bettini 'oh-ho-ho's condescendingly at Speed, still affecting a gentlemanly air that contrasts with his pug-ugly puss.</span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsuV0OyCCmSbVp0hghNJJMLGi6VY0LGFnZQqSQ_r0j7qzRfzud3QPIonX4KgyrjWc3YQgu9KLtlPCjiLo1Zm6pcreydCGBhbt7BXROsQvpg-73DIzs1OTA2KT9s3wmYH6rhFW1BFGcdlPkSl5LJ262tK8TBVGz9tQgVj9KUhYtCf2IpyX-rT7B/s732/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.44.41%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="670" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsuV0OyCCmSbVp0hghNJJMLGi6VY0LGFnZQqSQ_r0j7qzRfzud3QPIonX4KgyrjWc3YQgu9KLtlPCjiLo1Zm6pcreydCGBhbt7BXROsQvpg-73DIzs1OTA2KT9s3wmYH6rhFW1BFGcdlPkSl5LJ262tK8TBVGz9tQgVj9KUhYtCf2IpyX-rT7B/w586-h640/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.44.41%20PM.png" width="586" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">You can tell he's a bad guy because he's smoking a cigarette. Good guys only smoke teeny pipes.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"> Tomorrow: Speed is tommy-gunned to death and the torture of Betty resumes. Perhaps.</span></div><p></p>Scipiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12112155718721908876noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-60696881213695315662023-08-20T10:09:00.001-05:002023-08-20T10:13:41.479-05:00The Glass of Poison, Part 4: Unwarranted Danger<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">When last we left Speed Saunders, Ace Investigator, he was rummaging around in a(n alleged) gangster's mansion to look for some evidence tied to the poisoning death of exposé author Phillippa Rowen, while his latest sidekick Saunders-Girl (a.k.a. "Betty") holds a gun on said gangster. It's a bit extreme, but all things are permissible in the Saundersverse in the interest of time and it's not like Speed really needs a warrant. As the old Ace Investigator saying goes, <b>"A Whim is as good as a Warrant."</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Does he find something? Of course he does; he's Speed Saunders and doesn't have time NOT to find something. And where? The same place he usually does: IN A BOOK.</span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUuL-lrRQK7j_NZ3ml_j0dXylT38ACMr6t0tCOuvMSMHhAszb2QtqHYmpkOMwTiqWGFOyeT95G6Clde6NyCxHj7VWue6hbPeHRae5Iqiv3nkS0rnOZ8Slj-8F-PJKEGIKEIHXljP7VJkBLqu5qxK-6RZbrYIBTryPfuLZpDKp58HD7XhewLORZ/s1018/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.42.35%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="710" data-original-width="1018" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUuL-lrRQK7j_NZ3ml_j0dXylT38ACMr6t0tCOuvMSMHhAszb2QtqHYmpkOMwTiqWGFOyeT95G6Clde6NyCxHj7VWue6hbPeHRae5Iqiv3nkS0rnOZ8Slj-8F-PJKEGIKEIHXljP7VJkBLqu5qxK-6RZbrYIBTryPfuLZpDKp58HD7XhewLORZ/w640-h446/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.42.35%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">Well. Isn't that convenient.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Pro tip for murderers manqués; <span style="background-color: #fcff01;"><u>don't underline your murder methodologies as if you're studying for your Social Studies final.</u> </span> It just MIGHT seem suspicious.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">What WOULD Speed do without BOOKS? They contain all information, all clues, all answers. I suppose nowadays Speed would spot a "bookmark" on a computer, labelled "prussic acid" and linking to a page on howtogetawaywithpoisoningpeople.com. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Does Speed reveal the info he has discovered? Of course not; Speed always keeps info to himself until the last panel, when it all spills out in the info-dump of the Speed-splanation. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8iaAWxta-8uaW4aZSMMfgdk6aEhM5s3sFTp_CPrmWumxp8FRA7lq1pVjlqwIk4RyHT0rfkj5qF8aW4t4m_QzFN1n6uybWsvvlOZe8Vhyaxpf1MEpHciIhghDMtRhz2vVWfpa6TRoVQ1MyEu3XLoH5za_pVd9EKHWKOr-sqFnGg-XUX_kyZGfZ/s1048/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.42.41%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="706" data-original-width="1048" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8iaAWxta-8uaW4aZSMMfgdk6aEhM5s3sFTp_CPrmWumxp8FRA7lq1pVjlqwIk4RyHT0rfkj5qF8aW4t4m_QzFN1n6uybWsvvlOZe8Vhyaxpf1MEpHciIhghDMtRhz2vVWfpa6TRoVQ1MyEu3XLoH5za_pVd9EKHWKOr-sqFnGg-XUX_kyZGfZ/w640-h432/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.42.41%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Walter Turncoat; font-size: large;">"Thank you, Shoeshine Boy; you're humble and loveable."</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Yes, thank you, Speed Saunders. For breaking into my home, accusing me of murder, and holding me at gunpoint while you ransacked my house for evidence against me. Please, sir; may I have another. Bettini is clearly bucking for admission into the Golden Age Gentlemen Gangsters Hall of Fame, along with <a href="https://absorbascon.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-post-penguin-world.html" target="_blank">Broadway Bates </a>and <a href="https://absorbascon.blogspot.com/2021/08/the-jade-buddha-part-3-bloody-arrow.html" target="_blank">Hapsu</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZQBhRIzfsXg8X9CTTLxV5DAEptYPoHpZmIA0wYnn9X9_4hLWdQhH0EH8QdXb_Q5dzRl0GNcUJuwTM7g6k2INjhbYd-LIGtyS0ga1cZVQeNlCO41B8t-ozJGVCWEwO2JD4rvNnLQDSaYdA97gn4KuLKljsYMQNY7QGJySUhJu7X2WwYNPjeKU/s1040/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.42.47%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="1040" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZQBhRIzfsXg8X9CTTLxV5DAEptYPoHpZmIA0wYnn9X9_4hLWdQhH0EH8QdXb_Q5dzRl0GNcUJuwTM7g6k2INjhbYd-LIGtyS0ga1cZVQeNlCO41B8t-ozJGVCWEwO2JD4rvNnLQDSaYdA97gn4KuLKljsYMQNY7QGJySUhJu7X2WwYNPjeKU/w640-h438/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.42.47%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">You'll notice, over time, that the moon is ALWAYS full in a Speed Saunders story, which implies that Speed only solves one crime a month and only has 24 hours to do so. It explains a lot.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Then Speed, moving fast as is his wont, asks Saunders-Girl to stay the to-night.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4cEPrmLIh3nScQRwexczrgjrBIq7qSVQ6Rk_q8oTLVV7ZGVPiLKiWncL6ZlHBiHNmbuq-g2GNBMYpRg-VZkN1USNBxrx2UhhvqyDOzBKUzzMkcqdaSNoIBFZLbRe5pqERk3gHsO8ocqmhGQMbxku5Nw8YzrzQheFI91g-05hWEHuVwpaUk38/s1038/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.42.54%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="1038" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4cEPrmLIh3nScQRwexczrgjrBIq7qSVQ6Rk_q8oTLVV7ZGVPiLKiWncL6ZlHBiHNmbuq-g2GNBMYpRg-VZkN1USNBxrx2UhhvqyDOzBKUzzMkcqdaSNoIBFZLbRe5pqERk3gHsO8ocqmhGQMbxku5Nw8YzrzQheFI91g-05hWEHuVwpaUk38/w640-h430/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.42.54%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Walter Turncoat;">"That way, you'll have to come and get ME."<br /></span><span style="font-family: League Spartan;">Speed Saunders makes James Bond look like an arthritic tortoise.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">A lot happens between panels in a Speed Saunders story, that's all I'm gonna say here.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhBqdfnMWQiJkHh0C1TVEv9Z4xzpYyetFgzN6imVfWuIsqTZkFynp_liSA-3tAHwY-O6xEPicgXcwdEcgL6qCyYEk-SRvL_Ho71G9RVatn5Z7aIjuMcqCJ19XvP1GDm_X_QlYeJMzWHcYyygEOjM1e9JaAGCbivVHk9n-rPCnJf4520O4d2Je/s1390/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.43.07%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1390" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhBqdfnMWQiJkHh0C1TVEv9Z4xzpYyetFgzN6imVfWuIsqTZkFynp_liSA-3tAHwY-O6xEPicgXcwdEcgL6qCyYEk-SRvL_Ho71G9RVatn5Z7aIjuMcqCJ19XvP1GDm_X_QlYeJMzWHcYyygEOjM1e9JaAGCbivVHk9n-rPCnJf4520O4d2Je/w640-h322/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.43.07%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">What the--?!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">There's a lot to unpack from this panel. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><b>First</b>, Speed really DOES have only one (non-skiing) outfit: a puce Glenurquhart Estate Check, that Reverse-Barberpole tie, and an orange trilby. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><b>Second</b>, Speed has an "office" somewhere, which I don't believe for a minute. My theory is that Speed ALREADY, between panels, accompanied Saunders-Girl ("Betty") back her place from his and he is now RETURNING to his office (which is within his apartment). Why is he taking the subway, which is highly <b>uncharacteristic</b> of Speed Saunders, you ask? Because he drove her home in the Speedmobile and then <a href="https://absorbascon.blogspot.com/2021/08/aerial-espionage-part-3-i-thought-you.html" target="_blank">ABANDONED IT,</a> which is highly <b>characteristic</b> of Speed Saunders. Probably left it with <a href="https://absorbascon.blogspot.com/2022/11/speed-saunders-versus-spider-part-1.html" target="_blank">his adoptive cousin, Slow Saunders, Ace Auto-restorationist</a>, to have the top of the car re-attached. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><b>Third</b>, something really bad is about to happen. How do I know this? Because Speed is on public transportation and the only narrative reason for that is: TO SLOW SPEED DOWN. He's about to be <b>"too late (or just in time) to stop something" </b>and the only way make someone who can shadow-travel and tesseract "too late" for <u>anything</u> is to impede them with obstacles; it's just like in a Flash story. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMKWAmx5lYP-gH3AA43cKXRYXTM_tMxPnU93HmR8HUUFoMPZh1rf7sVvuQSjKiZDiTfVqUlTTjplZwtfIuij0YanekpY4NY_xxFRu-J4Y7raAUpFnPeCuKQNeRIkI1PFXmL6gcTgv0MPsR7daYTE8IY4dhj0FONIJ5U5PjdJ0eFJOTr8x0Wtw/s698/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.43.12%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="666" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMKWAmx5lYP-gH3AA43cKXRYXTM_tMxPnU93HmR8HUUFoMPZh1rf7sVvuQSjKiZDiTfVqUlTTjplZwtfIuij0YanekpY4NY_xxFRu-J4Y7raAUpFnPeCuKQNeRIkI1PFXmL6gcTgv0MPsR7daYTE8IY4dhj0FONIJ5U5PjdJ0eFJOTr8x0Wtw/w610-h640/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.43.12%20PM.png" width="610" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Hm. So I guess Phillilpa Rowen was a NOVELIST rather than an exposé writer and to write a .. crime novel (?) she gathered ... incriminating intel about real-life gangsters (?), who, um, were going to be portrayed in her novel with character expies, and... yeah, I give up. That's ... just not what novelists do. That's more like what exposé reporters do and we know they exist in the Saundersverse because Speed's reading one of the right now. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">How on earth a news-writer knows that Rowen had intel on Bettini and that Betty The Secretery (sic) also had access to it -- that I do not know. This is literally the day after Rowen was murdered, so the news-writer didn't <b>Find This Out</b>, they already knew it. Maybe.... Rowen was planning on giving the info to the exposé writer, but didn't get to do so because she was murdered? That's really the best I can do with this.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUQHx4GSB4ho7O9y1rPjQl3KpGS7aXHpTHye420FOVDeaCWC4Psx_JDjwm1aARaK5poJeGPhQf4qOz6HFFcynD63fERy6NWeY4kydf3FZ3pv9j3qP7jZm1UqNdlGT-NgvCa4My_H-ViA676bzyX-LOOnbBzTcIWNn-wrO6YPVw18tjASIBvv_/s740/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.43.20%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="740" data-original-width="660" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUQHx4GSB4ho7O9y1rPjQl3KpGS7aXHpTHye420FOVDeaCWC4Psx_JDjwm1aARaK5poJeGPhQf4qOz6HFFcynD63fERy6NWeY4kydf3FZ3pv9j3qP7jZm1UqNdlGT-NgvCa4My_H-ViA676bzyX-LOOnbBzTcIWNn-wrO6YPVw18tjASIBvv_/w570-h640/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.43.20%20PM.png" width="570" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">Speed likes apostrophes. Even unwarranted ones. Or maybe he just likes unwarranted things, like all his searches of other people's property.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Speed HATES death warrants, because Speed hates ALL warrants, so he has to put a stop to this!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDHvVgt9nhAXWG0_WFIr98doiPA0ErPvHfk0uWO-tUXSIPG8jqKdlWYS3bMQVR5l4RJfwqsZA72Rp2BRXcMRwC5HJ95hpmMZkbIsaAqlR83gX5WxY0o16k5tUoJMaZEO7puvjuIqAaWZoUzz1h2kKwVwbUQk8fNBwvcfRILN9F-wZOw8o4jhfG/s1386/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.43.25%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="1386" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDHvVgt9nhAXWG0_WFIr98doiPA0ErPvHfk0uWO-tUXSIPG8jqKdlWYS3bMQVR5l4RJfwqsZA72Rp2BRXcMRwC5HJ95hpmMZkbIsaAqlR83gX5WxY0o16k5tUoJMaZEO7puvjuIqAaWZoUzz1h2kKwVwbUQk8fNBwvcfRILN9F-wZOw8o4jhfG/w640-h342/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.43.25%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">Speed commandeers a uniformed person's vehicle, which is one of his hobbies. That, Oriental lore, and <a href="https://absorbascon.blogspot.com/2021/08/aerial-espionage-part-2-queer-egg.html" target="_blank">goldfish</a>.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Saunders speeds to rescue Saunders-Girl! WILL HE BE TOO LATE?!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader;">Tomorrow: Speed is Too Lat</span>e.</span></b></div>Scipiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12112155718721908876noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-68282519908836724752023-08-19T08:50:00.003-05:002023-08-19T08:57:12.694-05:00The Glass of Poison, Part 3: Java Jive<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Having <b>Seen The Body</b> and <b>Alerted the Authorities</b>, proceeds to dictate reality to the Lesser Beings.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRtSlz2Iea9ujmWvEwALVMUF9WO94hRP8hSPsQ56DDnTS6i8Cuctsr0hLk2XEbWCe4luqoawRb85NYf3NR9aCqu5qoUPxTpfu6jStWWi5JKp-0E2XTQSGsfcmfXJh7Wq6dfOUpd7q9HzetQtRRa0JHqCBgwpQbs2ys4XGCMHKDhQcT7ETZdZxl/s1024/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.40.26%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="1024" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRtSlz2Iea9ujmWvEwALVMUF9WO94hRP8hSPsQ56DDnTS6i8Cuctsr0hLk2XEbWCe4luqoawRb85NYf3NR9aCqu5qoUPxTpfu6jStWWi5JKp-0E2XTQSGsfcmfXJh7Wq6dfOUpd7q9HzetQtRRa0JHqCBgwpQbs2ys4XGCMHKDhQcT7ETZdZxl/w640-h446/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.40.26%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">Yeah, McGonigle, you're an idiot, and that's not your job. I mean, who wears THAT to commit suicide and drinks prussic acid from a CHAMPAGNE GLASS?</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">You know what else leaves the odor of bitter almonds on your breath, Speed? An Amaretto Sour, an Almond Negroni, an Alabama Slammer, or any of the host of cocktails you'd make with orgeat syrup or amaretto. Sure, it would be a little odd to be drinking any of those from a champagne glass, but NOT AS ODD AS PRUSSIC ACID.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFei6obWzOb5HsTVYuuk-2B-buipeRI4_ik6nprQM-tb9i1idK0eT-ZSlF2-eVNSIOLxmFtx1riTYs4CqmvuaKHr89xi89JTK97uwEtIOP1L6Kl8SOmZsF4yzxMyDNMcxnnB-6jqElyOeHlPkSX42YbVh74Y-tqLVFDSMPE5hA_-vaXx8_Y-1/s1060/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.40.32%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="1060" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFei6obWzOb5HsTVYuuk-2B-buipeRI4_ik6nprQM-tb9i1idK0eT-ZSlF2-eVNSIOLxmFtx1riTYs4CqmvuaKHr89xi89JTK97uwEtIOP1L6Kl8SOmZsF4yzxMyDNMcxnnB-6jqElyOeHlPkSX42YbVh74Y-tqLVFDSMPE5hA_-vaXx8_Y-1/w640-h432/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.40.32%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Walter Turncoat; font-size: large;">"Your petty administrative procedures do not concern me, CLYDE. Just do as I say while Saunders-Girl and I capture the MURDERER, you cigar-chomping clod."</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">TO THE SPEEDMOBILE!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizL_2_qwhBeWvXLJ7hmdf4EWspuL6muRWuxltgJg780kMCy4CYPsFUz_dxYtY_B9bNTdq2Yl1LKYXi7gI8_265hqY027uNCUF3sxyD5qWAoWR3cTdAXqRlDb63SAwolQnq90-pfqmKteLvt3G6Bftl9RRuJJe2RI9B3O7ha_pgCoi68z1OESun/s1032/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.40.40%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="1032" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizL_2_qwhBeWvXLJ7hmdf4EWspuL6muRWuxltgJg780kMCy4CYPsFUz_dxYtY_B9bNTdq2Yl1LKYXi7gI8_265hqY027uNCUF3sxyD5qWAoWR3cTdAXqRlDb63SAwolQnq90-pfqmKteLvt3G6Bftl9RRuJJe2RI9B3O7ha_pgCoi68z1OESun/w640-h446/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.40.40%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">Is the Speedmobile, which has always been a hard-top, a convertible now? Must be a nice night and Speed simply WILLED it to be a convertible.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">A-ha! They are off to confront BETTINI. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Wait, who's Bettini?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3u2R8L8casnZSNCJu3fIJ9dsA-z0ZPog40_cxdThvyiD9mJtL3_Z3wQCCY8A5roWL1iemNUhg2Qih8MesLHn_fu5YHGSirkfM6JRdkMSCnlfag6Eo9LYfj6FFghqN8p2AceC_pTmv2HzottWQmMmKyom4r2ZWqtDgyyc8YkKtX3wJTcmVfLF/s636/flashback.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="636" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3u2R8L8casnZSNCJu3fIJ9dsA-z0ZPog40_cxdThvyiD9mJtL3_Z3wQCCY8A5roWL1iemNUhg2Qih8MesLHn_fu5YHGSirkfM6JRdkMSCnlfag6Eo9LYfj6FFghqN8p2AceC_pTmv2HzottWQmMmKyom4r2ZWqtDgyyc8YkKtX3wJTcmVfLF/w640-h454/flashback.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Walter Turncoat; font-size: large;"><i>Editor's Note: this scene has been rendered in sepia tone to indicate a flashback!</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Oh, right; the gangster who is the Prime Suspect. Carry on, then. You know, without six months of previews, vlogged rumors, promos, a 24-issue arc and a company-wide crossover, it can be a little hard to keep pace with these old Golden Age stories. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwPOc6lJW4RDBX3d62Lcwx2cLIH2uR9zN8pfuoWvWwmqvN6Dy3WBkT_Uz4vM-UpZvEW4VaXXA6rVEzpXwg0EYtshZLqKAYwFr7a9TNIihx0Mc3dmU9bEW9LqNWbd-sS-5DBYMoUOwUBGpDtgU6AfeKAnK1F8mJHVuzQQJQjGH7Or9Fj32MSeFd/s1048/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.40.46%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwPOc6lJW4RDBX3d62Lcwx2cLIH2uR9zN8pfuoWvWwmqvN6Dy3WBkT_Uz4vM-UpZvEW4VaXXA6rVEzpXwg0EYtshZLqKAYwFr7a9TNIihx0Mc3dmU9bEW9LqNWbd-sS-5DBYMoUOwUBGpDtgU6AfeKAnK1F8mJHVuzQQJQjGH7Or9Fj32MSeFd/w640-h428/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.40.46%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Rather than use the door, Speed travels via his shadow-form with Saunders-Girl (we can't keep calling her "Betty"; it's too confusing, what with them saying "Bettini" in every sentence now) so as to easily pass through walls and windows.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jDcoRMsCXke-HzdpCtws_sq-BwBNPJZr0_MgLKCT3uBH2zgdJSSikXBeVzV1mkjQyAnqncjnv9vNZ8KIVR6aFJ2SEfW2QuXaWqAslUfarHiUai3LEvsNy2q2ir0U1BlUeu-68ef8fshYgCNBXokNMIlQWJprhWE04HoW4cuOupRoW_74QZ-5/s1400/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.41.00%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1400" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jDcoRMsCXke-HzdpCtws_sq-BwBNPJZr0_MgLKCT3uBH2zgdJSSikXBeVzV1mkjQyAnqncjnv9vNZ8KIVR6aFJ2SEfW2QuXaWqAslUfarHiUai3LEvsNy2q2ir0U1BlUeu-68ef8fshYgCNBXokNMIlQWJprhWE04HoW4cuOupRoW_74QZ-5/w640-h330/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.41.00%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Walter Turncoat; font-size: large;">"BY JASPER, JAVA, WHAT ARE YOU DOING GADDING ABOUT IN YOUR <u>PYJAMAS</u>? <b><i>FIND METAMORPHO!</i></b> AND STOPPING PUFFING THAT RIDICULOUS CIGARILLO!"</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">The gangster Big Shot Bettini appears to be some sort of educated missing link creature or a relative of that caveman of song and story, Alley Oop.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVB1JRSv2YRoZ05KWbFzBKQkeVRc5skS81nUrBg5CXJxZ0oAZo4JdipOrWiwiUulOD3b-5W-J-TmBAb46Hk3EWspdQIeo690mPx0-3-1VTHgC6cppuDwEdyki_jc4-XB2LhfE2gv_sGTCpzKI7EHGyfbmSNBDsG4uZwqynfDWsscRFjCeyxQsK/s1768/Screenshot%202023-08-19%20at%209.02.31%20AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="1768" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVB1JRSv2YRoZ05KWbFzBKQkeVRc5skS81nUrBg5CXJxZ0oAZo4JdipOrWiwiUulOD3b-5W-J-TmBAb46Hk3EWspdQIeo690mPx0-3-1VTHgC6cppuDwEdyki_jc4-XB2LhfE2gv_sGTCpzKI7EHGyfbmSNBDsG4uZwqynfDWsscRFjCeyxQsK/w640-h220/Screenshot%202023-08-19%20at%209.02.31%20AM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">Which, believe it or not, is STILL BEING PUBLISHED.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigCM3CwQtY33d4rl-7zb1KtHJ6JgKwy5e-9tE8ZCagEVhFD-9oqoqs2izn6RVoVcjlcpySvEHtH5rGhilgzCOuG0U8_NMnhlLVNd0mI6OFDrcPUqVZvlp_jyB6upaN3NJ13R7ao60P9ZRhepDmY5eZm5aW4oRzhrlkqFANndq289ZPEla970F7/s698/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.41.06%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="650" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigCM3CwQtY33d4rl-7zb1KtHJ6JgKwy5e-9tE8ZCagEVhFD-9oqoqs2izn6RVoVcjlcpySvEHtH5rGhilgzCOuG0U8_NMnhlLVNd0mI6OFDrcPUqVZvlp_jyB6upaN3NJ13R7ao60P9ZRhepDmY5eZm5aW4oRzhrlkqFANndq289ZPEla970F7/w596-h640/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.41.06%20PM.png" width="596" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">I'm afraid I find it difficult to trust you, Mister Oxmyx.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">I assume what Fred Guardineer was going for here was a Sheldon Leonard type, a "Runyonesque" character; the over-obvious thug with pretensions who uses elevated language to disguise his unseemly origins.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoF2NxMQyRKzAlP-acDdZEfH6-N6hzqp-bxTCb1iaq_g5niwzdHpJyxCNrsrgq999V1f-qbNaGxFBw7HbmCUWyo-RT6QwYr6_9BzUccb3UDa6Cf9FUs6HA9F8L0doz2gspdCnA3cXLFDs4VhWe8SOg_GCtmm7DPmrkKvKM2swuSn12vnOymwUt/s1038/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.41.14%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="1038" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoF2NxMQyRKzAlP-acDdZEfH6-N6hzqp-bxTCb1iaq_g5niwzdHpJyxCNrsrgq999V1f-qbNaGxFBw7HbmCUWyo-RT6QwYr6_9BzUccb3UDa6Cf9FUs6HA9F8L0doz2gspdCnA3cXLFDs4VhWe8SOg_GCtmm7DPmrkKvKM2swuSn12vnOymwUt/w640-h454/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.41.14%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Walter Turncoat; font-size: large;">"Will this take long? I've a corn-rowing at the Ancestral Strands Salon in an hour and I'm loathe to no-show, being that appointments are so deucedly hard to obtain."</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">I love how Speed asserts "I'M ON MY OWN" while Saunders-Girl is standing RIGHT beside him. Apparently <b>Useful Female Informants</b> don't count as people, even when they are the ones holding a gun on the villain.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">What Speed means is the Lesser Authorities are not aware of his visit, which is not on their authority; this is hilarious for two reasons. First, Speed needing the police's, or <u>anyone</u> else's, authority is laughable since Speed in the very instantiation of the Platonic Idea of "Authority". Speed SWEATS authority, or he WOULD, if he ever sweat (and if he did, the LAST thing Speed would sweat would be... authority). Second, he specifically told <b>Clyde Homicidedivision</b> what he was going to do just five panels earlier (no flashback here, just arrow up if you need to see it again).</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74Hr8wjovMEyCp5oiBTIPDzvZ0zqYItPCkvrxLW-3YQw-WU1qPc8JY_20RWjHWimd0sGCAht5NjIrYe017H00ofSsYOUHlqlfzgDaXz6o-fQPFaYcz1-LUN671Gt-jksGUkOsNVTfmVG1def-erPvXSf5AcucQdonJ23LEN48wrwFhcxxDGxk/s1040/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.41.23%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="1040" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74Hr8wjovMEyCp5oiBTIPDzvZ0zqYItPCkvrxLW-3YQw-WU1qPc8JY_20RWjHWimd0sGCAht5NjIrYe017H00ofSsYOUHlqlfzgDaXz6o-fQPFaYcz1-LUN671Gt-jksGUkOsNVTfmVG1def-erPvXSf5AcucQdonJ23LEN48wrwFhcxxDGxk/w640-h440/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.41.23%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">There are SO many things going on here, and I don't know what ANY of them are.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"> Tomorrow we'll see what amazing discoveries come out of Speed's fisting Bettini's wastebasket.</span></div>Scipiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12112155718721908876noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-90739777278361168502023-08-18T15:54:00.004-05:002023-08-18T22:33:21.150-05:00The Glass of Poison, Part 2: Seeing The Body (a.k.a. Death In The Living Room)<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Following her dramatic introduction, Betty The Secretery (sic) accompanies Speed Saunders downstairs as he proceeds to ace-investigate <b>Death In The Living Room</b>, which I'm sure Agatha Christie would agree would have been a much better title for this story. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">First, they<b> See The Body</b>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2WPQZozeC3tq5unFazatUno-4F_CoCV6ZXHMTb7KkO4ZXUIPyVkkXYQ7QlOd6MW345dLBNVF6v4QRNYm0alpPjozezD40XvAnYc8pwr18asCF6gLDUnHAxm6EOJEIYtCT_d1fz23WF8p7iXuF5mTVCF5gP4lgFMm6IqdWZOri4xH_udmRioA1/s1446/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.38.31%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1446" data-original-width="1044" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2WPQZozeC3tq5unFazatUno-4F_CoCV6ZXHMTb7KkO4ZXUIPyVkkXYQ7QlOd6MW345dLBNVF6v4QRNYm0alpPjozezD40XvAnYc8pwr18asCF6gLDUnHAxm6EOJEIYtCT_d1fz23WF8p7iXuF5mTVCF5gP4lgFMm6IqdWZOri4xH_udmRioA1/w460-h640/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.38.31%20PM.png" width="460" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan;">And what a body it is! Va-va-va-DOOM!</span><br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader;">The world would be a better place if we all just admitted that one caption like </span><span style="font-family: Walter Turncoat;">"In the living room below lies - <b>DEATH</b>!" </span><span style="font-family: Newsreader;">is worth ten thousand pictures of people shooting energy beams from their body parts.</span></div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Not wanting to waste time calling a doctor (since it's obviously too late to have anyone's stomach pumped, which is <a href="https://absorbascon.blogspot.com/search?q=stomach+pump" target="_blank">the only reason Speed ever calls a doctor</a>), Speeds then uses his Face of Judgement It's one of the abilities that can arise from enough reading of <i>Detective Comics</i> well after midnight.</span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAP07CLzNjPYUqQbBCRbORAA_2BKILUhedLWLlISIYPPKGJ1EfS7L_txOf26X9xEAHPDCNtLaijHArLsxaImDccvg_FTtqRkaKouvAjg3NnLmz9ykVRdil5ZXyxz69hT8EdBNCMqS__jJXe5QQYGpfvijWFsI7QfnkzQ4KyK2BObXU80YLW4p/s1054/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.38.38%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="710" data-original-width="1054" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAP07CLzNjPYUqQbBCRbORAA_2BKILUhedLWLlISIYPPKGJ1EfS7L_txOf26X9xEAHPDCNtLaijHArLsxaImDccvg_FTtqRkaKouvAjg3NnLmz9ykVRdil5ZXyxz69hT8EdBNCMqS__jJXe5QQYGpfvijWFsI7QfnkzQ4KyK2BObXU80YLW4p/w640-h432/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.38.38%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Walter Turncoat; font-size: large;">"Possibly while also being tickled to accelerate oxygen loss, her voluptuous bodily writhing in an unnatural and overwhelming conjunction of pain and pleasure which brought her to unknown heights of ecstasy even as it plummeted her in darkness. Perhaps."</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Sometimes the role of a <b>Useful Female Informant</b> is to receive information rather than give it. Such is the case with Betty The Secretery (sic), who makes sure to destroy any notes CONTAINING the information afterwards, as is her professional responsibility.</span></p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDw1ORp0e8E0Wgr781Cx-8lG841JL3C3a7OGuBZ5u7v6ck3_R7kO43Sr0V9e6H9ERcifMCJi7mjWiJt1tj9Y6uLRoorwB28_7cXD74stz5JjIX1ontxXtQkpqEGmjcHSH319NqpZlykj8dZBHakBmy50bonDPxAJT7N98744vAxoBNV3Bhc78/s1046/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.38.47%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="1046" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDw1ORp0e8E0Wgr781Cx-8lG841JL3C3a7OGuBZ5u7v6ck3_R7kO43Sr0V9e6H9ERcifMCJi7mjWiJt1tj9Y6uLRoorwB28_7cXD74stz5JjIX1ontxXtQkpqEGmjcHSH319NqpZlykj8dZBHakBmy50bonDPxAJT7N98744vAxoBNV3Bhc78/w640-h436/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.38.47%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Walter Turncoat; font-size: large;">"The cause of her poisoning? Well ... poison, ma'am. Perhaps at the hands of <b>GYPSIES</b>. Where were YOU at the time of the murder, and how do you know when that was unless YOU killed her?"</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Walter Turncoat;">"Digitalis prussic acid, veratrim (sic) viride, and any number of other poisons."</span> </b><span style="font-family: Newsreader;"> So just.... any poison then. </span><span style="font-family: Walter Turncoat;"> <b>"She may have eaten an undercooked roast scorpion in Chinatown, where I frequently encounter Oriental Artifacts. Perhaps."</b></span></div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0EX4FsCIyHdLgtKRcNax7VHDYEO1WW8_KJrfAOg2bZR6lBUsFRBbUKKBcA0F6v_jcgPe3SC8AiMQ5bHo1K65MQq3trF6agH3hKKBtypGZr7gZ811253aBjhnrAfIkVSx4ai80EWH7tFUaEWxITFL07Ld47GyEHqBWnKfugHzTSeCVtXDxCZEe/s638/Screenshot%202023-08-18%20at%2011.23.19%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="370" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0EX4FsCIyHdLgtKRcNax7VHDYEO1WW8_KJrfAOg2bZR6lBUsFRBbUKKBcA0F6v_jcgPe3SC8AiMQ5bHo1K65MQq3trF6agH3hKKBtypGZr7gZ811253aBjhnrAfIkVSx4ai80EWH7tFUaEWxITFL07Ld47GyEHqBWnKfugHzTSeCVtXDxCZEe/w372-h640/Screenshot%202023-08-18%20at%2011.23.19%20PM.png" width="372" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan;">It happens, you know.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Speed, perhaps realizing that this case is insufficiently bizarre for him or hoping to wrap things up before his morning breakfast reservation at a Chinatown roast scorpion restaurant, decides to lurch toward the surreal by suddenly accusing some nearby stemware of being the murderer.</span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-KGMQFEvaOK1q_bAzS0FM9SAjPSlDRZvqBzqmMidsdaDCA8cpjGrFykKpQDbIfOmNaSidytXYkwYBY5OtEdhBis0l8rdjhDh56m6Srzhn5_ao5nMPbjXasr9BnHXpYRtDBw2HNddY_yHxlDEnVX0oB0kcRMQUAXVSCf3lUPdzQpEdfOwX8VJe/s722/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.38.58%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="722" data-original-width="664" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-KGMQFEvaOK1q_bAzS0FM9SAjPSlDRZvqBzqmMidsdaDCA8cpjGrFykKpQDbIfOmNaSidytXYkwYBY5OtEdhBis0l8rdjhDh56m6Srzhn5_ao5nMPbjXasr9BnHXpYRtDBw2HNddY_yHxlDEnVX0oB0kcRMQUAXVSCf3lUPdzQpEdfOwX8VJe/w588-h640/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.38.58%20PM.png" width="588" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">I'm surprised it doesn't shatter at the undoubtedly rapid vibration of the Finger of Judgement.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Betty now has to make a dumb comment that allows for Speed to explain his behavior to the readers (as if readers have ANY expectation of understanding Speed's behavior).</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMEV33vcVTVBjT9bIwpchGX9uLCQe7Eqi23smbrHqt9WWnDWjENAvLy950rEsXJLQqqw3C9S9eMASEp1Y-kadgLkSF7J6HPXnmiiaHIrN-NFxDgTTfZXpatev2RJ88CCALA97Zistb7k5FcWneb0wR1nA9gQPOfB5bK4pSM12OdT8pM9jvD-h/s1426/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.39.06%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1426" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMEV33vcVTVBjT9bIwpchGX9uLCQe7Eqi23smbrHqt9WWnDWjENAvLy950rEsXJLQqqw3C9S9eMASEp1Y-kadgLkSF7J6HPXnmiiaHIrN-NFxDgTTfZXpatev2RJ88CCALA97Zistb7k5FcWneb0wR1nA9gQPOfB5bK4pSM12OdT8pM9jvD-h/w640-h314/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.39.06%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Walter Turncoat; font-size: large;">"There may be fingerprints, which, fortunately, I, as an Ace Investigator, am capable of SMELLING."</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Look, Betty; Speed's usual outfit is that puce Glenurquhart Estate Check jacket with an orange trilby. "How Funny He Looks" is NOT one of Speed's concerns. Realizing that Betty is clearly too stupid to appreciate his methodologies he arranges from some minor authorities to serve as a proper audience to his ace-investigation skills.</span></p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzDl0V6gMBPvQ7EOQKZCt8AHrc7pdaSSXhG8tikFxKv_Bw2lqn1VxrQKpc_bsyFLDXpW1Dy7azbfzyuopJwRVlBGXsR5Omj6Y3IKpHTWeZVja4hM8i2Id_2OSKiH7yuImgBBOdSx-ThE0RZIW08N298a8DoY8gfLxMMTZcctJEkNj3rN3tVuqB/s1024/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.39.17%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="1024" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzDl0V6gMBPvQ7EOQKZCt8AHrc7pdaSSXhG8tikFxKv_Bw2lqn1VxrQKpc_bsyFLDXpW1Dy7azbfzyuopJwRVlBGXsR5Omj6Y3IKpHTWeZVja4hM8i2Id_2OSKiH7yuImgBBOdSx-ThE0RZIW08N298a8DoY8gfLxMMTZcctJEkNj3rN3tVuqB/w640-h464/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.39.17%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">One of the most charming aspects of the Saunderverse, which I've never mentioned before, is that it's FULL OF FLOWERS. Really, it must be a LOVELY place to live until you're murdered.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Speed, who is, of course, on a first name basis with the Homicide Division, orders a few <b>Boys</b> and a <b>Man to Take A Chemical Report</b>, whatever that means. Reminder: the "Ace" in Ace Investigator is isn't an <a href="https://unacademy.com/content/bank-exam/study-material/english/adjectives-of-quality/#:~:text=Adjectives%20of%20quality%20are%20those,%2C%20black%2C%20fresh%2C%20etc." target="_blank">adjective of quality</a>; it's a <a href="https://www.nj.gov/lps/ge/docs/TempRegs/TripleDrawLowBall.pdf" target="_blank">RANK</a>, because Speed automatically outranks any authority figure he encounters. It saves time figuring out who's in charge, because it's ALWAYS Speed.</span></p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibk2LsPtYkFx3LOZPKNvzsYyoXWZKyvy-jLhkxuWLC8SN7PJNQj5uk2SWIJrJ5RTCiw6KxOZ-cv1eU-6tKPJSdAwfbK9KFkRM-iKkkLJsi_wv_b5UQajpvn8j-71jeBYtaZQNQQ-Ag0dOGYn5lofdxFPfbmEDOxdyqvqon466Cr7jWxnU5Ppq/s1052/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.39.24%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="1052" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibk2LsPtYkFx3LOZPKNvzsYyoXWZKyvy-jLhkxuWLC8SN7PJNQj5uk2SWIJrJ5RTCiw6KxOZ-cv1eU-6tKPJSdAwfbK9KFkRM-iKkkLJsi_wv_b5UQajpvn8j-71jeBYtaZQNQQ-Ag0dOGYn5lofdxFPfbmEDOxdyqvqon466Cr7jWxnU5Ppq/w640-h452/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%203.39.24%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">Back off, Betty; you don't rank a fourth-wall address. Leave transquartomuralism to the pros. Nobody at a crime scene needs the opinion of a bare-shouldered gypsy with hickies, unless that crime was a lock-picking.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Betty, whose rich and layered portrayal allows her role to evolve with each panel, now serves as a more jaded and promiscuous Aqualad, telling us<b> What The Inevitable Negative Outcome Will Be</b> and <b>How Not Even Aquaman Can Save The Day</b>.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">And Aquaman probably could not because Aquaman is only superhuman. But this is SPEED SAUNDERS we're talking about here...</span></p>Scipiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12112155718721908876noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-44386161852531198612023-08-17T14:36:00.008-05:002023-08-18T22:30:20.338-05:00The Glass of Poison, Part 1: Enter... The Mysterious Gypsy Lady!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Let's check in on everyone's favorite Golden Age detective, SPEED SAUNDERS, Ace Investigator.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2RhjD-vTjTHmFr25iFkI-AkndlQrPThuN-GxdVvD6Ikzj398IfORKwE9MY5iRtwo9U_umUvg_oFY-l_OEdyn2mUbAsKAfGSNIXb4GZfXh1yGCkChNb8kNM-GdPdVukRR1HJk-6X2fbtOA4ApC1g4cIZE1yUMUXTOPPZ1BwoyURAG7_IbhK6Q/s1210/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%2011.01.59%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="694" data-original-width="1210" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2RhjD-vTjTHmFr25iFkI-AkndlQrPThuN-GxdVvD6Ikzj398IfORKwE9MY5iRtwo9U_umUvg_oFY-l_OEdyn2mUbAsKAfGSNIXb4GZfXh1yGCkChNb8kNM-GdPdVukRR1HJk-6X2fbtOA4ApC1g4cIZE1yUMUXTOPPZ1BwoyURAG7_IbhK6Q/w640-h368/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%2011.01.59%20AM.png" width="640" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">"The Glass of Poison". Phew, this promises to be more normal than the average Speed Saunders story. Certainly as compared to "The Mystery of the Lost Ape", "The Voodoo Vengeance", or "The Bowling Ball Bombers".</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijTerp5eGwaH8FlLu4I923Q93THucsP8ieR9VcLCIvDczTgVuWd6A06JGoxU3GsFy6fXAPxodIvcMRwB_25RQ5h8ZrL51AkvIwWQ55rjsPwXhSDArpbVWtZzr_WPGlVrn3TF5XRE9HnGtCuz_y_3cvgs_nHOmlLtdBydELaAM3YB1GIfYNLM-a/s932/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%2011.02.05%20AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="932" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijTerp5eGwaH8FlLu4I923Q93THucsP8ieR9VcLCIvDczTgVuWd6A06JGoxU3GsFy6fXAPxodIvcMRwB_25RQ5h8ZrL51AkvIwWQ55rjsPwXhSDArpbVWtZzr_WPGlVrn3TF5XRE9HnGtCuz_y_3cvgs_nHOmlLtdBydELaAM3YB1GIfYNLM-a/w640-h480/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%2011.02.05%20AM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">And it guest-stars <a href="https://absorbascon.blogspot.com/2023/01/slow-dance-with-death-with-speed.html" target="_blank">one of Speed's best friends</a>!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">This story is best read well after midnight, so if it's NOT well after midnight, this is the point at which you may wish to consider holding off on reading the rest of this post until it IS well after midnight. And do you own a smoking jacket? It's not necessary, but it certainly helps. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2n_W-4FjqDzuKpeJeY4A8rGaX9OTa4hVXCW9EXxZ7nx28yptKzDcmew0P8i3Z8GK5tcd1Q6Zg8vUQAXfMD_qtKfAx4Ps0b2IFvzNsJd1cCUf5PvEstAd5nS_UIJ1VxqAsE9MhZnNRtd2Rr3peYRHsLJQ5iHQcvYSneCh_iS31tLM8ZIhwGbxo/s1426/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%2011.02.12%20AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="1426" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2n_W-4FjqDzuKpeJeY4A8rGaX9OTa4hVXCW9EXxZ7nx28yptKzDcmew0P8i3Z8GK5tcd1Q6Zg8vUQAXfMD_qtKfAx4Ps0b2IFvzNsJd1cCUf5PvEstAd5nS_UIJ1VxqAsE9MhZnNRtd2Rr3peYRHsLJQ5iHQcvYSneCh_iS31tLM8ZIhwGbxo/w640-h320/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%2011.02.12%20AM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">Engrossed in his story. HIS OWN story, no doubt. I bet he doesn't understand them any more than we do.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">So, if I asked you to picture a man smoking a pipe and reading <i>Detective Comics</i> "well after midnight", I'll wager that somebody like smoking-jacketed Speed Saunders is <u>not</u> what you would picture. But such is the Golden Age. As riveting as watching Speed reading is -- wait, that's actually ironic, since, if he has to stay up well after midnight, he is definitely slow-reading. Anyways, what happens next is:</span></p><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKFRjz7NKDlXMdBCWTItOLAKx8AtUUi02PHr7xcagwPL06RXhzjg6uUvVL2_cvHTe-EwfNpl_tmHrU-NSQf4bCpOsyw4eY7lUAG2c9odMSX0eL6JIb-bnBbpZZsoTFhRdmdLLB1VMw1qPfyl-EV7C7VUNS-l3h4-jv6cxAwboN4beOsqbwr0wd/s716/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%2011.02.17%20AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="694" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKFRjz7NKDlXMdBCWTItOLAKx8AtUUi02PHr7xcagwPL06RXhzjg6uUvVL2_cvHTe-EwfNpl_tmHrU-NSQf4bCpOsyw4eY7lUAG2c9odMSX0eL6JIb-bnBbpZZsoTFhRdmdLLB1VMw1qPfyl-EV7C7VUNS-l3h4-jv6cxAwboN4beOsqbwr0wd/w620-h640/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%2011.02.17%20AM.png" width="620" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">SPEED IS ATTACKED BY A PROP FROM THE HORROR FILM <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10638522/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_q_talk%2520to%2520me" target="_blank">"TALK TO ME" (2023)</a>! DON'T LET IT IN, SPEED!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Uh-oh; Speed's newest client (?), threat (?), or Useful Female Informant (!) appears to be an itinerant hand model.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKkI7KUUXv0Urac2WuxDfbYBIe51o1gu18_7KgDwBYGCH_LOwHlVhtBiNg2ClgSN_a-lMVakynEcB_YMqLFUjrYt_976t2pkKA9AHVYcxuqLAWYzjxzBQ1wsqB-ftcGDm7j-yAr6MY0rrZLPxlJvAQtg4iaL6IMniNSLkTSt1ZydXw-LQyM8Ar/s1406/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%2011.02.24%20AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="734" data-original-width="1406" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKkI7KUUXv0Urac2WuxDfbYBIe51o1gu18_7KgDwBYGCH_LOwHlVhtBiNg2ClgSN_a-lMVakynEcB_YMqLFUjrYt_976t2pkKA9AHVYcxuqLAWYzjxzBQ1wsqB-ftcGDm7j-yAr6MY0rrZLPxlJvAQtg4iaL6IMniNSLkTSt1ZydXw-LQyM8Ar/w640-h332/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%2011.02.24%20AM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">"It seems that my investment in a subscription to the Gypsy Woman of The Month Club has paid off handsomely!"</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Whether this particular woman be Gypsy, Tramp, or Thief (based on that dress I have my own suspicions), she must have a reason for breaking in on Speed (who apparently doesn't lock his door) like this.</span></p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy4cnVK4CNMDcEPbC-0ArmZXU--q0tkNgy0MaQdSk58aCN40Fsrqre4y10aRkXj6xZYwOQdvxB2AUrYUYbOyJ6bd4FJpkHLJUD8ZrJNnfZCZ-tD9bPn6DB4Xu6ZnMQ7-KWMfoHkfPc8j6fQPWWmqxp7KoSulkQzVDA3XTr6snWVzfySUr4dhtJ/s716/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%2011.02.29%20AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="676" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy4cnVK4CNMDcEPbC-0ArmZXU--q0tkNgy0MaQdSk58aCN40Fsrqre4y10aRkXj6xZYwOQdvxB2AUrYUYbOyJ6bd4FJpkHLJUD8ZrJNnfZCZ-tD9bPn6DB4Xu6ZnMQ7-KWMfoHkfPc8j6fQPWWmqxp7KoSulkQzVDA3XTr6snWVzfySUr4dhtJ/w604-h640/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%2011.02.29%20AM.png" width="604" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">THAT old chestnut. Ixnay those crocodile tears, lady; I bet the door WAS locked and you picked it. That's a thing gypsies do, I think.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Speed, having corralled his teeny floating pipe back into his mouth, decides to ASSERT how reality will be in order to force it to his will and, as usual, it works. He <u>supposes</u> that Madame Rose here is going to <b>Tell Him All About It</b>, and, sure enough, she does!</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRpu6cbBUB9kY-b-qSfQD2UQTkn_u_zedy-unstn5lT7UQ6dgM9ltA0vgIK_A-CajOJ0W76d43tfGK3JcwrQCkvy2vGAlJKQ93PTjSzLNJOcqz8Ym_Y35nWDldwZONe_SOWWmQhEakGrVEEFkyz3vZ9xQBK1pGi63XyVgg0rGfPKfv6W8VzbeB/s1042/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%2011.02.35%20AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="740" data-original-width="1042" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRpu6cbBUB9kY-b-qSfQD2UQTkn_u_zedy-unstn5lT7UQ6dgM9ltA0vgIK_A-CajOJ0W76d43tfGK3JcwrQCkvy2vGAlJKQ93PTjSzLNJOcqz8Ym_Y35nWDldwZONe_SOWWmQhEakGrVEEFkyz3vZ9xQBK1pGi63XyVgg0rGfPKfv6W8VzbeB/w640-h452/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%2011.02.35%20AM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">But what sent Madame Rose here to THAT chair? Probably trying to hide the broken zipper on her dress before the dang thing FALLS OFF her.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">That was some pretty fast exposition by our Mysterious Gypsy Lady, telling us:</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">there's been a murder and </span></li><li><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">who the victim is and </span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader;">what they did for a living and</span><span style="font-family: Newsreader;"> </span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">why that endangered their life and </span></li><li><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">who the mostly like suspect is. PHEW!</span></li></ul><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Nevertheless. That's not fast enough for SPEED SAUNDERS, who WILLS HIMSELF into a new outfit ... and MORE!</span></p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQfXTJKDr3toS8s1oGs7_IOWayQA8YIkOTfZD4JuHYpqAkAZuhXoGDQPeWmKC7-4PCLUfCJSXc0ZmX3Ne5EsHwYnzboNDW5w9_-LdhELW4NW-6V_tb7n55We3qupmdXJwMfmAlHTKLzPFoakUDEnTnCwk9sExUXj0GNDm1Nt3U1eBvowxK52h/s1054/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%2011.02.42%20AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="746" data-original-width="1054" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQfXTJKDr3toS8s1oGs7_IOWayQA8YIkOTfZD4JuHYpqAkAZuhXoGDQPeWmKC7-4PCLUfCJSXc0ZmX3Ne5EsHwYnzboNDW5w9_-LdhELW4NW-6V_tb7n55We3qupmdXJwMfmAlHTKLzPFoakUDEnTnCwk9sExUXj0GNDm1Nt3U1eBvowxK52h/w640-h452/Screenshot%202023-08-17%20at%2011.02.42%20AM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Walter Turncoat;">"She lives below me you are Betty Palmer, her secretery (sic), AND I'M SPEED SAUNDERS."</span><br /><span style="font-family: League Spartan;">That balloon really deserved to include that last part. Speed probably skipped because it saved time and because everyone KNOWS he's Speed Saunders.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br />A secretery (sic), by the way, is kind of like a secretary, but instead of taking notes, they destroy them, keeping information secret. It's a Golden Age thing, like Mysterious Gypsy Ladies, Oriental Artifacts, Residential Hotels, and Never Needing a Search Warrant.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">So, the victim lives -- okay, LIVED -- immediately BELOW Speed Saunders?! That's... eerily and improbably convenient. And weird that Madame Rose here buried the lede and didn't just burst in saying </span><span style="font-family: Walter Turncoat; font-size: large;">"THERE'S BEEN A MURDER DOWNSTAIRS, HELP!" </span><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">like a normal person in a non-Speed Saunders story would do. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">But I have a theory.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">I suspect that author Phillippa Rowen did NOT live below Speed Saunders... UNTIL HE SAID SHE DID. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">Remember, it's well after midnight and Speed hasn't finished his comic book so his tolerance for delay has gone way into the negative. He needs this particular murder dealt with STAT, so he simply ANNOUNCES that Phillippa Rowen lives below him and that this is Betty Palmer, her secretery (sic), and then THAT BECAME REALITY. She WAS a gypsy cleaning woman named Esmeralda Rose, perhaps, but NOW she is Betty Palmer, secretery (sic), because that's who Speed Saunders damn-well SAID she is, and this is a Speed Saunders story, and he calls the shots.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">And his next shot is Seeing The Body, because if there anything Speed Saunders enjoys looking at more than comic books, it's dead bodies, which we too will look at tomorrow.</span></p><p><br /></p>Scipiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12112155718721908876noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-41609345463953385862023-08-16T14:34:00.003-05:002023-08-16T14:34:44.442-05:00Gods bless Mark Waid for....<p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">...remembering that even though Aqualad is a heartthrob he is STILL</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepQXqRRykmBzTGX8PG093ayjLI85gyTcP56WizSBHzhzSZuDRlCOn48yGy0o7OTSkZ_dGsQR7BDcJLQhNZHr6H5aoQb3AsdJrkBEsRi_3pSbjnD-sVnbMr5mIAsVxchbQLCnZ-AnZ6OI3V5f_AfI44n0wu3M9Y1XaI5XxM98hUBxpKChoxozn/s1782/Screenshot%202023-08-12%20at%204.10.42%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1782" data-original-width="1452" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepQXqRRykmBzTGX8PG093ayjLI85gyTcP56WizSBHzhzSZuDRlCOn48yGy0o7OTSkZ_dGsQR7BDcJLQhNZHr6H5aoQb3AsdJrkBEsRi_3pSbjnD-sVnbMr5mIAsVxchbQLCnZ-AnZ6OI3V5f_AfI44n0wu3M9Y1XaI5XxM98hUBxpKChoxozn/w522-h640/Screenshot%202023-08-12%20at%204.10.42%20PM.png" width="522" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRVWiWmSqkyUBiezWY3SS_cUi807RVoIDCblGQG-kc_xAUoF8hpYyIo9-l6ccZjsrRvmbhXKSXBK1soBVeGxPiajtAddOhMGh274y09GB_TNkfu8DXh8DyAaRwTxcc2hv-FGErm-FmnEq7BgdJ4lExHPzSxnjTZLIIOhjw_34ihvrvuXecQiP_/s1966/Screenshot%202023-08-12%20at%204.10.56%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="1926" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRVWiWmSqkyUBiezWY3SS_cUi807RVoIDCblGQG-kc_xAUoF8hpYyIo9-l6ccZjsrRvmbhXKSXBK1soBVeGxPiajtAddOhMGh274y09GB_TNkfu8DXh8DyAaRwTxcc2hv-FGErm-FmnEq7BgdJ4lExHPzSxnjTZLIIOhjw_34ihvrvuXecQiP_/w626-h640/Screenshot%202023-08-12%20at%204.10.56%20PM.png" width="626" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN7uqrm8o_V68sRQjm5pBxFn6gQZk1fTelyMYLI-b8-nAMO8zMxyWONED4nvuZoqZmMjqBwkGNsKW4vm1O_ecyyT4iTU6p7QWHgaDFCmWb0deOU2S92gbkbwkD47iZRCnK15-XXTWl3r5Y8XAKgsoF6k7w8RqXjRk0dUleJd2SlUaQ5iXbnKBd/s3332/Screenshot%202023-08-12%20at%204.11.35%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1092" data-original-width="3332" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN7uqrm8o_V68sRQjm5pBxFn6gQZk1fTelyMYLI-b8-nAMO8zMxyWONED4nvuZoqZmMjqBwkGNsKW4vm1O_ecyyT4iTU6p7QWHgaDFCmWb0deOU2S92gbkbwkD47iZRCnK15-XXTWl3r5Y8XAKgsoF6k7w8RqXjRk0dUleJd2SlUaQ5iXbnKBd/w640-h210/Screenshot%202023-08-12%20at%204.11.35%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggASe8S3d8JYc_pBfyakOoEwO9crDTGJa0FCD9QHXZz15QRnbWp-I9eawMBQt3pbc9FlgGd39sXh9QqEX32G2OZp4uiq2kN4greNJjpiFxUQNeL7I9wE9TZbvIVCRoRplegME6DJ5omGbFgcBMrwO03L_Qb_-_eB8G7hl2QqPgqipaeDKYqCBT/s2530/Screenshot%202023-08-12%20at%204.17.48%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1976" data-original-width="2530" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggASe8S3d8JYc_pBfyakOoEwO9crDTGJa0FCD9QHXZz15QRnbWp-I9eawMBQt3pbc9FlgGd39sXh9QqEX32G2OZp4uiq2kN4greNJjpiFxUQNeL7I9wE9TZbvIVCRoRplegME6DJ5omGbFgcBMrwO03L_Qb_-_eB8G7hl2QqPgqipaeDKYqCBT/w640-h500/Screenshot%202023-08-12%20at%204.17.48%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /> an easily overwhelmed, fearful purple-eyed big-headed FREAK.</span><p></p>Scipiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12112155718721908876noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-31167594932939687572023-07-28T12:03:00.003-05:002023-07-28T12:08:26.804-05:00With Due Respect to Paul Lekakis<p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Sometimes our entertainment media from the past have built-in limitations.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Say, for example, you, having succumbed (DESPITE MY WARNINGS) to<a href="https://absorbascon.blogspot.com/search?q=surrealism" target="_blank"> the soul-eroding lure of surrealism</a>, wanted a big-ass eye-popping hi-def repro of a Dali for your dorm room. Because obviously if you want a big-ass eye-popping hi-def repro of Dali in your living space, you are in college.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwa2np6QbJrV7Dq5hGd1WdrHU656xUnq7Qbt2G7BLrA1r5hkeMsNANZFrSvEA9L7YDhH-oZJwBrcxpeI92Lg6t4u8BkxCwYl3-0Yfu-q74UO0l6ob9UWAYXGHFxK1yZfBX4kx2W-J1s4JoQNuN8dMLNLWaTCdNNYJxl8ysTw8XgGh7_R4Hi3Et/s620/persistenceofmemory1931.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="620" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwa2np6QbJrV7Dq5hGd1WdrHU656xUnq7Qbt2G7BLrA1r5hkeMsNANZFrSvEA9L7YDhH-oZJwBrcxpeI92Lg6t4u8BkxCwYl3-0Yfu-q74UO0l6ob9UWAYXGHFxK1yZfBX4kx2W-J1s4JoQNuN8dMLNLWaTCdNNYJxl8ysTw8XgGh7_R4Hi3Et/w640-h428/persistenceofmemory1931.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">Probably "The Persistence of Memory". If you were cool, it would be something more like "The Temptation of Saint Anthony'. But it you were <u>that</u> cool, you wouldn't want a big-ass eye-popping hi-def repro of a Dali on your dorm wall to begin with.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Well, too bad. I've been to the Dali Museum, and I can confirm you can't have one, for a very simple reason.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgICO0B5vgeYGmJZSPI7rdikmri8DZgvABW1gW9W1AabEbeHzDCUMGYduTIiSDo_hEEmri3UwonFciMiVOsCna2mPW9zcmmF_MfJEHtYyFtxP7te8hAnt4gGAiuyhC6-23ujijKAEcHqVQxNgP9M6a6_MlnSm9VgKesqS83SMfZqVw-U8NgRQ_L/s500/persistence-of-memory.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="500" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgICO0B5vgeYGmJZSPI7rdikmri8DZgvABW1gW9W1AabEbeHzDCUMGYduTIiSDo_hEEmri3UwonFciMiVOsCna2mPW9zcmmF_MfJEHtYyFtxP7te8hAnt4gGAiuyhC6-23ujijKAEcHqVQxNgP9M6a6_MlnSm9VgKesqS83SMfZqVw-U8NgRQ_L/s320/persistence-of-memory.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">Good luck looking for a signature, bub.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">"The Persistence of Memory" is a very small painting. You can't just "zoom and enhance" like a future-computer; any attempt to do so is just a hornswoggling boondoggle. All you're going to get is an increasing fuzzy-looking version of "The Persistence of Memory".</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPgHzE-iTawMEf70h63mgX77api8FJAwZXzqKNyW7610hM_LfphOU3I0k9lDMNuKXMoG7rfC9GVAz7NOvl5q8z_IwGvgtP1dK5xvGr_pyx_CysgcOXKgCBrWN43wePftva0yzMaW3yeLPKsPeg4QHqYLBTOEAuwbi2kmREE42WpssiYS5yuuxj/s2000/1364_116909_dali.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1559" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPgHzE-iTawMEf70h63mgX77api8FJAwZXzqKNyW7610hM_LfphOU3I0k9lDMNuKXMoG7rfC9GVAz7NOvl5q8z_IwGvgtP1dK5xvGr_pyx_CysgcOXKgCBrWN43wePftva0yzMaW3yeLPKsPeg4QHqYLBTOEAuwbi2kmREE42WpssiYS5yuuxj/w498-h640/1364_116909_dali.jpg" width="498" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">A result surely intended by the waggish artist as a visual satire of the elusive vagueness of actual memories, which resist any efforts to force them to resolve into clarity, even when they persist. <br />Or, you know, just because it's small.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">I have some "cleaned up" versions of some classic pop tunes, ones where modern technological techniques have been applied to bring clarity to the voices of the original singers, historically buried under the mud of the limitations of the means of recording available to them. And it is eye-opening.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Unfortunately it is also ear-closing. Turns out there is a REASON that Toni Basil is a world-famous CHOREOGRAPHER. Being able to hear her singing voice more clearly emphatically does NOT make "Hey, Mickey" a more enjoyable song. It ruins it, in fact, and you have to try to block it from your mind anytime you hear the original version again, lest it destroy your ability to enjoy that, too.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgleMnJGLxSKJbLnwfZjkd-CbPtJO8kQKUCLDKhoOjC4NzT1pgruuMN7LkkhE5RcU0Acq_lVFF-kPP6c8rkLlcHoDif8OFfRuoM6zyBLtNpE8fujyXnl4i8P3tUJedgL6-_vURj9XO1n4UR5LHcx3jVEt6Z4Yt_vhAtbw-pLimiAATEO_QkaTlv/s700/5874e04d7b53100da45435ee7ccd3fe770-16-toni-basil-mickey.rsquare.w700.jpg.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="700" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgleMnJGLxSKJbLnwfZjkd-CbPtJO8kQKUCLDKhoOjC4NzT1pgruuMN7LkkhE5RcU0Acq_lVFF-kPP6c8rkLlcHoDif8OFfRuoM6zyBLtNpE8fujyXnl4i8P3tUJedgL6-_vURj9XO1n4UR5LHcx3jVEt6Z4Yt_vhAtbw-pLimiAATEO_QkaTlv/w640-h640/5874e04d7b53100da45435ee7ccd3fe770-16-toni-basil-mickey.rsquare.w700.jpg.webp" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">Pictured: Eye-opening.<br />There are times when the persistence of memory is a downside.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">And the less said about the cleaned-up version of <i>Boom Boom Boom </i>by Paul Lekakis, (whom I met during an eventful weekend at Rehoboth during his floruit), the better.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSfThsh2afU-X-oNswFaPSJDNUNwrd2qfjB2ammUOzbq9dXGLNYbStXnwmj_aaQmkX6kPvyDcNebbMvT7WaNACmkxzYVpxVu8aZ9JXSkdugL05W1b1PsJ1kT8MIJk6UcxdLrWDw8sxg6wzEJQ2SNPtX4ZSuMZcqjIKZ8w7mMT5n4bn7hJe3yVU/s2548/MV5BYTgzYzEyOTYtMzZmMS00MzFjLTliZWItOTFlYTM0ZGUwZDNmXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMjM2MDUyMTg@._V1_.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2548" data-original-width="1648" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSfThsh2afU-X-oNswFaPSJDNUNwrd2qfjB2ammUOzbq9dXGLNYbStXnwmj_aaQmkX6kPvyDcNebbMvT7WaNACmkxzYVpxVu8aZ9JXSkdugL05W1b1PsJ1kT8MIJk6UcxdLrWDw8sxg6wzEJQ2SNPtX4ZSuMZcqjIKZ8w7mMT5n4bn7hJe3yVU/w412-h640/MV5BYTgzYzEyOTYtMzZmMS00MzFjLTliZWItOTFlYTM0ZGUwZDNmXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMjM2MDUyMTg@._V1_.jpg" width="412" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">Some memories are best left uncleaned, like Paul Lekakis saying "Let's go back to my room."</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">So it is with that I mind that I confess to you my utter inability to understand anyone's excitement about the announcement of <a href="https://www.gamesradar.com/batman-mask-of-the-phantasm-4k-remaster/" target="_blank">a 4K remastered version of "Mask of the Phantasm"</a>. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">This is not because I am not a fan of "MotP". Quite the opposite. I cannot imagine it looming larger in anyone's memory than it does it mine. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">In late 1993, all four of my jaws were broken simultaneously and i spent quite some time with my faced bloated, bruised, and wired-shut, subsisting only on Ensure-based milkshakes laced with horse-strength painkillers, sipped through a post-dental straw. I spent Thanksgiving that way, and, since most of my friends don't know Sign Language, I had to communicate the entire time through a 1990-style laptop that someone loaned me so that I could type out conversation on it.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrnLGg37XJyWvrdFR5Rtk8MNjDrcsEr-_P3I7nVAmAF3zz_UhJcQYDGOKAAwh5e7JdLjenyfpS47h4YhcoeuTjq3QdcaJGqBaY7eehUVTIBZppJ_4piIe34byCY-YzYtGwuqdtbsZ6xNP99Nadab1DUSZomMJDQ5SroVKAuW7iWzvSs1-atVuk/s940/3f674e0cf15679cf1d4ed907e0129adc--laptop-computers-.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="940" data-original-width="736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrnLGg37XJyWvrdFR5Rtk8MNjDrcsEr-_P3I7nVAmAF3zz_UhJcQYDGOKAAwh5e7JdLjenyfpS47h4YhcoeuTjq3QdcaJGqBaY7eehUVTIBZppJ_4piIe34byCY-YzYtGwuqdtbsZ6xNP99Nadab1DUSZomMJDQ5SroVKAuW7iWzvSs1-atVuk/w500-h640/3f674e0cf15679cf1d4ed907e0129adc--laptop-computers-.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">This is about what that looked like, in case you don't know.<br />It's a memory whose persistence definitely has a downside.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">On December 25, 1993, I had not left the house for at least two months. A snowstorm began to hit Washington DC that day. Not as bad as the historic "Superstorm" in March, but still nothing that anyone in their right mind would choose to go out in.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">And yet.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">A friend came and trundled me into an uneasily-procured cab, immobile face and all, and accompanied me on the trek to a small now-long-closed cinema in upper NW DC so that I could see "Mask of the Phantasm" on its opening day. I had a large Cherry Coke and had skipped my painkillers so I wouldn't be foggy for the experience.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz1m83pDKqTj1ehnDf4F8mopvSGRoxJcpot1_RQRkHXPJeU1Hga34xa35-aSvkYPIXQyb_rPmYorNXz347d0GholF4RkEsPX7ZfSlxFZ3JOKEODPGxPKER25yowD7-OO-3uJ3IveXQlIMuzBoIjWxCYZ_Oy3k3IZHJrGpPuSF18dGfChOpY0yb/s639/batman_phantasm.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="639" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz1m83pDKqTj1ehnDf4F8mopvSGRoxJcpot1_RQRkHXPJeU1Hga34xa35-aSvkYPIXQyb_rPmYorNXz347d0GholF4RkEsPX7ZfSlxFZ3JOKEODPGxPKER25yowD7-OO-3uJ3IveXQlIMuzBoIjWxCYZ_Oy3k3IZHJrGpPuSF18dGfChOpY0yb/w640-h360/batman_phantasm.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">I wanted to make sure my memories of the event persistent and weren't fuzzy.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">It still remains the happiest Christmas I have ever had and I am very very fine with that. I cannot imagine any single day making me happier than I was getting out of the house for the first time in two months, into a blinding snowstorm, to sit in a nearly empty cinema, watching that film. I remember how much I enjoyed it as if it were yesterday.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">What can "4k" add to that? Greater "clarity"? It's a broad scope cartoon; there are no 'details' to see.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10BYs0aSTIYpI5MI7-L-ikAfn5L9kSnMdE6zQ_sQJJCKmtiMfBSLx70Jvm-C1pqSKgdpgpiGQk_COtZjLTg-5wUX1QGkd2N76eXug-eahZ8Vafw2uzl7A9Vu92Dau35Qe4-l7EavqFjT9_0S8kESWXqXPzusWXvl2EIhYHsKWNkBzR2I1Aztp/s4915/MV5BMzBmNDQ5OTYtZTQzMC00N2MyLWIzZTItODA1NThiYTljZGJkXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMDc2NTEzMw@@._V1_.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3590" data-original-width="4915" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10BYs0aSTIYpI5MI7-L-ikAfn5L9kSnMdE6zQ_sQJJCKmtiMfBSLx70Jvm-C1pqSKgdpgpiGQk_COtZjLTg-5wUX1QGkd2N76eXug-eahZ8Vafw2uzl7A9Vu92Dau35Qe4-l7EavqFjT9_0S8kESWXqXPzusWXvl2EIhYHsKWNkBzR2I1Aztp/w640-h468/MV5BMzBmNDQ5OTYtZTQzMC00N2MyLWIzZTItODA1NThiYTljZGJkXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMDc2NTEzMw@@._V1_.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">I... don't think I'm missing any useful details here. Does the Joker have something stuck in his teeth I can't see? A piece of scenery, I'm sure.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Like the Golden Age Batman comics it was modeled on, BTAS (even big-screen Mask of the Phantasm) isn't about 'visual detail'. It's all simplification, abstraction, and chiaroscuro.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs6MsyKRrnAIRvC4Wz8TJnLfMu4KPJosp5uDA-7oQlfnJVtpSqcQIrtxsUbrArYKW0lyV2AVFxnJ3LIXjtyLR-IHlZ9_jzY6tzwkOc8-9bmt72u-jlN3h8tY7SacMURdwc0KxIovExxLVGZrd0Ew7-s8dO1RIogaCVg49BALLyUHpXdevilAfG/s848/Screenshot%202023-07-28%20at%2012.39.43%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="848" data-original-width="534" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs6MsyKRrnAIRvC4Wz8TJnLfMu4KPJosp5uDA-7oQlfnJVtpSqcQIrtxsUbrArYKW0lyV2AVFxnJ3LIXjtyLR-IHlZ9_jzY6tzwkOc8-9bmt72u-jlN3h8tY7SacMURdwc0KxIovExxLVGZrd0Ew7-s8dO1RIogaCVg49BALLyUHpXdevilAfG/w404-h640/Screenshot%202023-07-28%20at%2012.39.43%20PM.png" width="404" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">This panel still remains my perfect example of the power and virtue of the Golden Age art style.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Perhaps Fleischer's Superman cartoon benefit from such a treatment. But those are a different animal indeed.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiuyn4TlkTBRIWz51hisO_wUtBDiefoEspz2tzdsZ5sLg6l_mvXJMa5P5zRe7ymS_x078e0epLcJMO4B94CrWb48nyX2rSgDec9sbFY1QEseZjJs7Ib39GKB4zhGauCXb8Uv0D7EXeyVSChppSdls6Kt69aOTsVcjTc_YxZf70p0bnhxXB6ZyX/s460/Max%20Fleischer%20Superman.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="460" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiuyn4TlkTBRIWz51hisO_wUtBDiefoEspz2tzdsZ5sLg6l_mvXJMa5P5zRe7ymS_x078e0epLcJMO4B94CrWb48nyX2rSgDec9sbFY1QEseZjJs7Ib39GKB4zhGauCXb8Uv0D7EXeyVSChppSdls6Kt69aOTsVcjTc_YxZf70p0bnhxXB6ZyX/w640-h482/Max%20Fleischer%20Superman.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">I mean, they used roto-scoping, for pete's sake.. Doug Jones went BACK IN TIME to do mo-cap for those robots.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">4king "Mask of the Phantasm" just seems like throwing tech at something simply because you can.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnKZF57RoZZpmNIMTA2oPsTwPJNFA-Zo0YA5iCTps4hWwqz33sG16FV9RJ8FyEenBZUPMmW2G1AO-vqLlJp5Js4ByHlC5mlJkaWvVJJ_oF2X9x-uXFRiQtGS6x3mbUH6UIVy_BZ5l_XaMwDDb12P_vVxr__XmMMkCBCOkO9VKAKYR74VP4i-5Q/s1190/BatmanMOTPBluray.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1190" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnKZF57RoZZpmNIMTA2oPsTwPJNFA-Zo0YA5iCTps4hWwqz33sG16FV9RJ8FyEenBZUPMmW2G1AO-vqLlJp5Js4ByHlC5mlJkaWvVJJ_oF2X9x-uXFRiQtGS6x3mbUH6UIVy_BZ5l_XaMwDDb12P_vVxr__XmMMkCBCOkO9VKAKYR74VP4i-5Q/w538-h640/BatmanMOTPBluray.webp" width="538" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">And just possibly because you can get people to give you additional money for something they've already seen and own.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">4K isn't going to help me, at least, enjoy "Mask of the Phantasm" better. Certainly not better than that Cherry Coke did.</span></p>Scipiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12112155718721908876noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-64428993992179073292023-07-23T07:30:00.003-05:002023-07-23T07:31:50.609-05:00DEATH IS THE PRIZE:Cliff and Steve<p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"> So would WROTE this thing ("Death Is The Prize"), anyway?</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2GEr7kJp_H24rHPv4Nxuf97JVJznwX10b6XQkWSe4URInYoCxorjNUZVlXTcf5F02FEeGa0F6MS5F5f04QsGU_OJ6EFlYSBOK71YZLZbl0X-YQ6mUwMMVR9xjcIYU8bUFwQMIFWp5NfL2O6SKi0sT7zr53rT8rdFBhz520AsTBl9ZbVz7cwd9/s144/Screenshot%202023-07-17%20at%205.47.47%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="144" data-original-width="108" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2GEr7kJp_H24rHPv4Nxuf97JVJznwX10b6XQkWSe4URInYoCxorjNUZVlXTcf5F02FEeGa0F6MS5F5f04QsGU_OJ6EFlYSBOK71YZLZbl0X-YQ6mUwMMVR9xjcIYU8bUFwQMIFWp5NfL2O6SKi0sT7zr53rT8rdFBhz520AsTBl9ZbVz7cwd9/w480-h640/Screenshot%202023-07-17%20at%205.47.47%20PM.png" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">Oh. Well, then.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">"Cliff & Steve". Yeah, well, I guess if I wrote Golden Age Green Arrow stories, I would have been too embarrassed to put my name on them, too. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">But even this I believe is a DECEPTION. Cliff & Steve were the artists; the unnamed writer for this story was almost certainly regular Green Arrow writer Mort Weisinger (whose crimes against humanity are legion, but who invented, among other things "The Imaginary Story", so if you ever enjoyed an Elseworlds tale, you have Mort to thank).</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Almost certainly Cliff is Cliff Young and Stete is Steve Brodie. Both were Golden Age G.A. artists, not writers. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzDtr8Ujk1sh_K3zV8dE-8pSBlEwApgpyEsUOQbC2YkCaxDNnIcMM2puh8qJF-p5l1t1UM0LPTYO9doUdKKzF0TrdBH8-JQf6yDJeLswmSug-i9lgC-8puAT-ddtzhwdDg6g4ThzNPR-2_FBApe6sGPksg6gEfznEAiL9GMMF2dz9whsrHhq_/s600/lf.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="461" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzDtr8Ujk1sh_K3zV8dE-8pSBlEwApgpyEsUOQbC2YkCaxDNnIcMM2puh8qJF-p5l1t1UM0LPTYO9doUdKKzF0TrdBH8-JQf6yDJeLswmSug-i9lgC-8puAT-ddtzhwdDg6g4ThzNPR-2_FBApe6sGPksg6gEfznEAiL9GMMF2dz9whsrHhq_/w493-h640/lf.jpeg" width="493" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">A Cliff Young drawing.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Cliff Young did write a book on Drawing Drapery which you can still buy today at Target, believe it or not.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C-v-aEWFi5E" title="Drawing Drapery from Head to Toe book preview Cliff Young" width="640"></iframe></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">You cannot buy his other book "Figure Drawing Without a Model", because it's out of print.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrlW8CGrQNT000qo41NktWhldv_KHirIrNfgy-YlJUlRuRXT_VtQPPCwOI-dKX2DrtpFjLJAHu-dG_K1sJ6C2PLIMoR-yPQRAc7XSp58Qhpr75AgbZZU2qqMKiaJV4CCbrR2x4e8RwG8DXalonsInKgzISbprVV00FlWb1Ei1Efl6_KS2l5nfH/s200/cliff_young_figure_drawing_without_a_model.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="156" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrlW8CGrQNT000qo41NktWhldv_KHirIrNfgy-YlJUlRuRXT_VtQPPCwOI-dKX2DrtpFjLJAHu-dG_K1sJ6C2PLIMoR-yPQRAc7XSp58Qhpr75AgbZZU2qqMKiaJV4CCbrR2x4e8RwG8DXalonsInKgzISbprVV00FlWb1Ei1Efl6_KS2l5nfH/w499-h640/cliff_young_figure_drawing_without_a_model.jpg" width="499" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">Good luck sleeping tonight.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgihOKnTNLnh_PAG8S5LFVTav78VutHLpmRBAo8mRhOETleDYKpQ6xchI8x0A7qK6m4KAPBB29g8DXoH1ZOAsGlCCZQEw9YOtFzDXi8kaYpSIog8jjGGPeXnrG04sbixAlgh-dtczUXVfN8b85Se6QKWasGkHcpLmHMB0vXPePJU9ZhhkGFp1k5/s702/cliff_young_clothes_and_drapery.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgihOKnTNLnh_PAG8S5LFVTav78VutHLpmRBAo8mRhOETleDYKpQ6xchI8x0A7qK6m4KAPBB29g8DXoH1ZOAsGlCCZQEw9YOtFzDXi8kaYpSIog8jjGGPeXnrG04sbixAlgh-dtczUXVfN8b85Se6QKWasGkHcpLmHMB0vXPePJU9ZhhkGFp1k5/w488-h640/cliff_young_clothes_and_drapery.jpg" width="488" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">It's also not available because <br />it's SHEER PORNOGRAPHIC FILTH.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Z1XNhhiT6-pQKQK4TLhqJL5a-4o6XegQDvSZmPUuC3iuXgJCZctjAKlTQOyucsv3vI3YLwE59UwIdS0px0rDxmygGZWr1f3rXOhDl61pRGvFF3CAc-27wfRRd17chk8w6voj5Y3Kn52piELBL43jyjK160bHceFf7kqn4P6LnSB4ZY9QGSjE/s714/e295d5fd4eee4259b3fcfa92d7bfbd83.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="531" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Z1XNhhiT6-pQKQK4TLhqJL5a-4o6XegQDvSZmPUuC3iuXgJCZctjAKlTQOyucsv3vI3YLwE59UwIdS0px0rDxmygGZWr1f3rXOhDl61pRGvFF3CAc-27wfRRd17chk8w6voj5Y3Kn52piELBL43jyjK160bHceFf7kqn4P6LnSB4ZY9QGSjE/w476-h640/e295d5fd4eee4259b3fcfa92d7bfbd83.jpg" width="476" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan;">This, of course, is "Top Light", Green Arrow's underappeciated (and underdressed) female Golden Age villain. Rather a free spirit she was. <br /></span><span style="font-family: Walter Turncoat;">"Would you like to see more of Top Light? Write and let us know!</span><span style="font-family: League Spartan;">"</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">Steve Brodie was a weirdly-built daredevil/bar owner who jumped off the Brooklyn Bridge and lived.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwOg3uB0LPdNUglFzLow0WA021385xlZSOpM662Y8PvAfTwcCNRK9IWgGv-x_vFteIMrqw3EQZ-ItxjzCVKuQJ_TvKaTLo2LWyUdyckj1voUfidGxNci68NOFCvySxHPnHyZfQ-rZa7-dGkdnkY8MDM6IW4UqyXCiVbxxKKAhqHba-VKq5H-VQ/s600/3351745.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="469" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwOg3uB0LPdNUglFzLow0WA021385xlZSOpM662Y8PvAfTwcCNRK9IWgGv-x_vFteIMrqw3EQZ-ItxjzCVKuQJ_TvKaTLo2LWyUdyckj1voUfidGxNci68NOFCvySxHPnHyZfQ-rZa7-dGkdnkY8MDM6IW4UqyXCiVbxxKKAhqHba-VKq5H-VQ/w500-h640/3351745.jpg" width="500" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">They don't make 'em like that any more.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /><br /><br />But that's not the right Steve Brodie. Neither is Steve Brodie, the doughy movie star whom you remember from "Donovan's Brain" (1953).</span><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-xWMB6l_E0Q" title="Donovan's Brain (1953) ORIGINAL TRAILER [HD]" width="640"></iframe></span><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: large;">They don't make 'em like that any more.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">No, Steve Brodie The Artist is a MYSTERY man. No photos, no bio. There's really just ONE thing I know about Steve Brodie: he created exactly ONE character for DC Comics.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><b>LEAPO THE CLOWN A.K.A BULL"S-EYE, GREEN ARROW'S GREATEST VILLAIN</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZC6MsQGtmuLRvCczTi0pFAXMF4XjSeMvQSX2PtxE_7M5rerxzFP_XkE51qZPrcDH0ah_3b_9WAeiK8FkYSfrtWKHdiiZDowOZpg5YHlpbOkyuM8ubTYMy5cpVNeXUQxLwtKE1irinsBcYkpn8vp6pqDWqOod2wiYTVgOqynnd0Wrlck51mxGq/s1497/Worlds-Finest-024-52.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1497" data-original-width="1077" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZC6MsQGtmuLRvCczTi0pFAXMF4XjSeMvQSX2PtxE_7M5rerxzFP_XkE51qZPrcDH0ah_3b_9WAeiK8FkYSfrtWKHdiiZDowOZpg5YHlpbOkyuM8ubTYMy5cpVNeXUQxLwtKE1irinsBcYkpn8vp6pqDWqOod2wiYTVgOqynnd0Wrlck51mxGq/w460-h640/Worlds-Finest-024-52.jpg" width="460" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: large;">And that's all I need to know for Mystery Artist Steve Brodie to be one of my Golden Age Heroes.</span></div><div><br /></div></div>Scipiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12112155718721908876noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-35520487717911268392023-07-20T14:39:00.003-05:002023-07-20T14:41:27.737-05:00DEATH IS THE PRIZE: Trigger Happy<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">When we last left Olle and Roy, Green Arrow had intentionally missed the crook's target so as not to give himself away as the genuine article, having been warned by Roy The Underage Adult, that to do so would ensure his death at the hands of St. Louis Louie and his tie-wearing gang. As long as the last guy (whom we've dubbed "Hillbilly Arrow") doesn't hit the target everything will be fine: all the contestants will be dismissed as fakers. That way, Ollie can call the police to mop up the gang while he's at home in his smoking jacket or off fishing.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW6Ml2CUld1ppWyebvr252r3BdhWLP3KNyIfjPCZbVQdzj9wZ-2OeWa3fcume-JKxwWQVcAkwcec1Xsatmdu4KMk-uwU9Jy-CMZkUVtOybvs1zETrdoZMllrzMNWjTCU5F9Ma6kgxdTAaBBC3ZjBXrxP06S5R31DnVGFYPsVssj9WmznJhtKJ1/s496/Screenshot%202023-07-20%20at%2010.23.52%20AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="496" height="634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW6Ml2CUld1ppWyebvr252r3BdhWLP3KNyIfjPCZbVQdzj9wZ-2OeWa3fcume-JKxwWQVcAkwcec1Xsatmdu4KMk-uwU9Jy-CMZkUVtOybvs1zETrdoZMllrzMNWjTCU5F9Ma6kgxdTAaBBC3ZjBXrxP06S5R31DnVGFYPsVssj9WmznJhtKJ1/w640-h634/Screenshot%202023-07-20%20at%2010.23.52%20AM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: x-large;">Not only does this guy look like Green Arrow (although his hair is now suddenly colored brown), he's every bit the overconfident jackass that Ollie is. He's Oliver's <a href="https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Paul_Sloane_(Earth-Two)" target="_blank">Paul Sloane</a>, apparently.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">Fortunately, there is no way this arrogant poseur can hit that target. Intentionally.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifW4BqlcE8ZSVIwEJeNqCyOJOST0fH1O8wMGzOwHlgBbInMWc7pHT3yr0O3--1U00OrIXh3gkFlo3zZ9sacL3HbHuc2mO5iOXYsuB6gmBFs3ddZFjTx7t2rEUjXrAdzwhO7gRvdISpc8pZ1qFIRESEmpbHvmxyP3B8Ns9exDCdytLlOB3a3w8c/s1164/Screenshot%202023-07-20%20at%2010.24.04%20AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="1164" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifW4BqlcE8ZSVIwEJeNqCyOJOST0fH1O8wMGzOwHlgBbInMWc7pHT3yr0O3--1U00OrIXh3gkFlo3zZ9sacL3HbHuc2mO5iOXYsuB6gmBFs3ddZFjTx7t2rEUjXrAdzwhO7gRvdISpc8pZ1qFIRESEmpbHvmxyP3B8Ns9exDCdytLlOB3a3w8c/w640-h296/Screenshot%202023-07-20%20at%2010.24.04%20AM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: x-large;">Chance of doing it UNintentionally, however, is 99%, because Golden Age Green Arrow is a sitcom where hijinx WILL ensue.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">A blow on the head! This is definitely where this (still unnamed) guy wakes up convinced that HE is Green Arrow and for the rest of the Golden Age, Oliver is hounded by this deranged wannabe, set on killing Ollie and taking his place as Roy's lover, er, I mean, Green Arrow. What would you name this guy? "</span><span style="font-family: Bungee; font-size: x-large;">Preen Arrow</span><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">"? Nah, let's call him "</span><span style="font-family: Bungee; font-size: x-large;">Green Harrow</span><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">".</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">At least, that's what would happen in Gotham City. But this is Star City, so he just gets dumped in the back of a plum Studebaker on his way to sleep with the fishes.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXS1iNIk0eoyHDJp3ByJzHxZkn2L45h-ZdgwNwwyDTva0SKnIfIyiwBIfx2If8mJUHsSQgrwzqdJAi_4z4jyes-FUMoLa0m1lgCl9_rGmDktqSC899-oMZc9P7Kk_ismUl6ktoePV6_OSFQEtXx5l7jRPVPNVAMY7oOWt2KENJ4ZuKwXyM8fgy/s1164/Screenshot%202023-07-20%20at%2010.24.41%20AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="1164" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXS1iNIk0eoyHDJp3ByJzHxZkn2L45h-ZdgwNwwyDTva0SKnIfIyiwBIfx2If8mJUHsSQgrwzqdJAi_4z4jyes-FUMoLa0m1lgCl9_rGmDktqSC899-oMZc9P7Kk_ismUl6ktoePV6_OSFQEtXx5l7jRPVPNVAMY7oOWt2KENJ4ZuKwXyM8fgy/w640-h280/Screenshot%202023-07-20%20at%2010.24.41%20AM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">"Why not capture them now, G.A.?"</span><br /><span style="color: #6aa84f;">"Because we've got two and half more pages to go. Besides, we haven't used the catapult yet.</span>"</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">Well, as we can now confirm, this is still the era where the Arrowcar is called the Arrowplane, for no other reason I have ever been able to discern. Maybe the "aeroplane" pun was too good to pass up and Ollie's fortune wasn't thought of as large enough at this point to justify a plane? Or he hadn't yet gotten permission to station a giant yellow jet on his apartment building's rooftop? I mean, it's bad enough that the ArrowCAR takes up eight parking spaces in the garage.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjdBv22u7RmLE1fKW-twA5WQICH_kr_RQE3YaFMvL6odo6MVCcmPeBMCAzf-RfdbhSj1ctxwriqOv5r2o4w0MKyhFEvst20ZUvqvlYzikoMmxy8dMXwon6YZb4QznEpA51lmYhxDgKc792P6MRQ0chftOMPXRfCI-D6DYKdqWeZZ2nJmi7-4bA/s490/Screenshot%202023-07-20%20at%2010.25.07%20AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="414" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjdBv22u7RmLE1fKW-twA5WQICH_kr_RQE3YaFMvL6odo6MVCcmPeBMCAzf-RfdbhSj1ctxwriqOv5r2o4w0MKyhFEvst20ZUvqvlYzikoMmxy8dMXwon6YZb4QznEpA51lmYhxDgKc792P6MRQ0chftOMPXRfCI-D6DYKdqWeZZ2nJmi7-4bA/w540-h640/Screenshot%202023-07-20%20at%2010.25.07%20AM.png" width="540" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Walter Turncoat; font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">"Besides, this will give us the excuse to use the catapult when we get to the docks."</span><br /><span style="color: #cc0000;">"But they could kill him and just be using that to dispose of--"</span><br /><span style="color: #6aa84f;">"I PAID GOOD MONEY FOR THE DAMNED CATAPULT, ROY!"</span></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">The journey, during which none of St. Louis Louie's gang of seasoned criminals notices a GIANT YELLOW JUGGERNAUT WITH A DORSAL FIN tailing them, ends at Star City's legendary Small Craft Cove.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEsma2RL9yFNlfuSD9mWRZZbI5jmlVKWEJKt9YDu7pRg_DkUB9hD1poYSMf0DOc9cFHOn5XMhXncNTL9xjeDhN2YJApfgCUrocdM_ySTXest1htb5NaaYPx0PHPQVZUu6gbTEEBR69S78KjSauW_MbC686_4y88z1cRSUA8Tq_tzaOWvAvw-Zw/s744/Screenshot%202023-07-20%20at%2010.25.00%20AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="744" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEsma2RL9yFNlfuSD9mWRZZbI5jmlVKWEJKt9YDu7pRg_DkUB9hD1poYSMf0DOc9cFHOn5XMhXncNTL9xjeDhN2YJApfgCUrocdM_ySTXest1htb5NaaYPx0PHPQVZUu6gbTEEBR69S78KjSauW_MbC686_4y88z1cRSUA8Tq_tzaOWvAvw-Zw/w640-h428/Screenshot%202023-07-20%20at%2010.25.00%20AM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Walter Turncoat; font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">"Waiting until they actually THROW him into the water, G.A.? Doesn't that seem like an ill-advised and unwarranted--"</span><br /><span style="color: #38761d;">"I SAID <u><i>READY THE CATAPULT</i>,</u> ORPHAN WHO IS ENTIRELY DEPENDENT ON MY LARGESSE FOR FOOR AND SHELTER!"</span></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">Per usual, Roy realizes that Oliver's plan is terrible and bravado-based, but he's too cowed by the prospect of possible penury to press his objections.</span></div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkzuL_2GTJFvUq0NmsQneek1ZeAZ6XqUSA5bJuy8gOiqfUrSG_3ADgiHsR8N0MsIs-0ZVhRAxbqjNyremdSYrNeTEQrMLVRblc8fJQfVYJeEeQvRibgH_d0fyEFACVRLffbPEoN05ZfP0ukq6PRuEnYBnhkE74QJBaKV5AR0HfH30xTMxV986/s552/Screenshot%202023-07-20%20at%2010.26.04%20AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="394" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkzuL_2GTJFvUq0NmsQneek1ZeAZ6XqUSA5bJuy8gOiqfUrSG_3ADgiHsR8N0MsIs-0ZVhRAxbqjNyremdSYrNeTEQrMLVRblc8fJQfVYJeEeQvRibgH_d0fyEFACVRLffbPEoN05ZfP0ukq6PRuEnYBnhkE74QJBaKV5AR0HfH30xTMxV986/w456-h640/Screenshot%202023-07-20%20at%2010.26.04%20AM.png" width="456" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: x-large;">Pictured: Showboating.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">I really wish the artists (whom we'll discuss tomorrow) would have taken the time to show two grown men landing feet first on a small rowboat, without it breaking or capsizing. I guess Green Arrow is just THAT good a shot <eyeroll>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD40_aEpjjJvlrJVIaoh3YcdFACX0HsoBhHP-5arbpua7OrSSXkJpBpBHbODdqEALtQXLqiHZDxyRLRwmZQ2FjS_k6Xxs_hAp0xzl-0rm0HrQ7vJHDONEfaEoSbYTo9tZLkSJPgxVyxlzsWhPMpFXM0ADwqJ7KZrQ5GRxw1XXeFpuJm54tp-AC/s1162/Screenshot%202023-07-20%20at%2011.07.49%20AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="582" data-original-width="1162" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD40_aEpjjJvlrJVIaoh3YcdFACX0HsoBhHP-5arbpua7OrSSXkJpBpBHbODdqEALtQXLqiHZDxyRLRwmZQ2FjS_k6Xxs_hAp0xzl-0rm0HrQ7vJHDONEfaEoSbYTo9tZLkSJPgxVyxlzsWhPMpFXM0ADwqJ7KZrQ5GRxw1XXeFpuJm54tp-AC/w640-h320/Screenshot%202023-07-20%20at%2011.07.49%20AM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: x-large;">Okay, "</span><span style="font-family: Walter Turncoat; font-size: x-large;">Tell it to the marine animals</span><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: x-large;">" <u>is</u> pretty funny, especially for the Golden Age. I can see why St. Louis Louie, comedically large bowtie and all, is still one of Green Arrow's best known and beloved adversaries today.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">St. Louis Louie is sufficiently genre-savvy to know that G.A. calls the ropes he ties to arrows "Arrowlines". If this were the Bronze Age instead of the Golden Age, you just know that "ArrowLINES" would be the name of the letter-column. Also, the incompetent criminal lieutenant who was running the contest (a Lieutenant Louie?) is, surprisingly, a sadistic psychopath.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">But not to fear; none of that will avail against the avenging bane of ALL Star City criminals:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5KUiFNUNjN-LDaf4QT3QxDgyYiq7Bip-ME77mXfNOmymKdHXc4OMUQ5yyYXQgRhM-NxD1NiHQjKJjpEhvUIbktuDLi98pmNRLXO6OQ7_BvVr93oCTI-arWpVCcPdOoGxDceW3utKLm3o2UI8KIjATjn_XA9gG-rhtVrUTW4CS7fT4r3YI-Ac/s768/Screenshot%202023-07-20%20at%2010.26.21%20AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="548" data-original-width="768" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5KUiFNUNjN-LDaf4QT3QxDgyYiq7Bip-ME77mXfNOmymKdHXc4OMUQ5yyYXQgRhM-NxD1NiHQjKJjpEhvUIbktuDLi98pmNRLXO6OQ7_BvVr93oCTI-arWpVCcPdOoGxDceW3utKLm3o2UI8KIjATjn_XA9gG-rhtVrUTW4CS7fT4r3YI-Ac/w640-h456/Screenshot%202023-07-20%20at%2010.26.21%20AM.png" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Walter Turncoat;">"THE GREEN ARROW'S KID PAL."<br /></span></b><span style="font-family: League Spartan;">See? I'm not the only one who can't remember his codename.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">Meanwhile, Green Harrow learns a lesson; everybody hates Green Arrow and wants him dead.</span></div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_v6YYz8-e3XeY0hQnuXunNws2YCEeT6OdXvojApCHKqLmi2-S82aKyMuopoHpplzy6rVcWtFrqV62ARidW0hqNE2aRTWuGqnDI2VI5KMMSOnHn4S2gfXX4GIog3q2HDlaKJssgckD9a3Bvg8lJGFMYwYA5KWYGq_TwmoV-_ddyk8LhQDmYWMK/s1154/Screenshot%202023-07-20%20at%2010.26.44%20AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="476" data-original-width="1154" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_v6YYz8-e3XeY0hQnuXunNws2YCEeT6OdXvojApCHKqLmi2-S82aKyMuopoHpplzy6rVcWtFrqV62ARidW0hqNE2aRTWuGqnDI2VI5KMMSOnHn4S2gfXX4GIog3q2HDlaKJssgckD9a3Bvg8lJGFMYwYA5KWYGq_TwmoV-_ddyk8LhQDmYWMK/w640-h264/Screenshot%202023-07-20%20at%2010.26.44%20AM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan;">The start of Ollie's weird doppelganger fetish.</span><br /><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Walter Turncoat;">"Well, here you are, Gee-Ay. Soaked from Small Craft Cove, trembling in fear, and bound helpless, while wearing my costume, in a small rowboat that won't capsize no matter HOW hard two grown men slam into it. I'm going to enjoy this...."</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">Naturally, the criminals misinterpreted the situation as Red Arrow having rescued Green Arrow because, well, that's how things work in Star City and Occam's Razor and all that.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3LdsIX5wqse1uUoSh8OuTm3QmjeYq9zvjBu9OvbD3wxGQqad3yBtCzmB4bp1HZBIlCRO8q2Lvi9NkxnbviUl2mxs981qr1E0HFgf6Vv9BD__rk2EaNQqChrhlcNaEusX2Ty8e3a9q6h3b-kLG4D8r2qGICzHdiARfnz9bJW_56Ydhl-xMR1r/s660/Screenshot%202023-07-20%20at%2010.27.12%20AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="554" data-original-width="660" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3LdsIX5wqse1uUoSh8OuTm3QmjeYq9zvjBu9OvbD3wxGQqad3yBtCzmB4bp1HZBIlCRO8q2Lvi9NkxnbviUl2mxs981qr1E0HFgf6Vv9BD__rk2EaNQqChrhlcNaEusX2Ty8e3a9q6h3b-kLG4D8r2qGICzHdiARfnz9bJW_56Ydhl-xMR1r/w640-h538/Screenshot%202023-07-20%20at%2010.27.12%20AM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: x-large;">Note that the gang has zero qualms about being able to handle <u>Green Arrow</u>. It's <u>SPEEDY</u> they are afraid of. Oliver's oblivious to this as always. What Uncle Gadget doesn't know, won't hurt him (as long as Penny is there to protect him).</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee; font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><u><br /></u></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGYfhL4HqylMLNI0AYGNE3DyEuNhom0XboOlVK0uyp_bwmnSy-iHA1AiVQ0aYC9J6sLVwzLhi55-mYKOUeaM-d2LRevMWqR21NmkD7H7ZVOeKkTQt-qhdGEmSSmdO57MhcY1mE1pVky3rfx5QEMCJlpH95YnqdQkEkRIFFK95n69yH_DJboin/s550/Screenshot%202023-07-20%20at%2010.27.56%20AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="490" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGYfhL4HqylMLNI0AYGNE3DyEuNhom0XboOlVK0uyp_bwmnSy-iHA1AiVQ0aYC9J6sLVwzLhi55-mYKOUeaM-d2LRevMWqR21NmkD7H7ZVOeKkTQt-qhdGEmSSmdO57MhcY1mE1pVky3rfx5QEMCJlpH95YnqdQkEkRIFFK95n69yH_DJboin/w570-h640/Screenshot%202023-07-20%20at%2010.27.56%20AM.png" width="570" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: x-large;">St. Louis Louie reminds us about the time recently he almost killed Green Arrow just by bouncing an empty revolver off his skull, because that will remain the pinnacle career.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">This MIGHT have been our chance to be rid of Oliver once and for all and let Roy take over. But, no. Golden Age Green Arrow is a systole and diastole between Ollie The Impetuous Imbecile and Green Arrow the Demigod-like Odyssean Archer.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01TOl_VyhmI2sUGUKZSBSKI8ZJ3LvdSMK_vOpF1FHp8TYxhm8z0V1LOdC3-2dFklWUoz6lOg0Q0vvpXp2-pCLaP8PBY2fzdaAZsZziEqvmL-XytBt_GWltFay4e84ZZjOUibv00mL-P0J0v_Jp3NX8-EYHDjyQIWTE2Q2qlT5HeFZPbed77bW/s686/Screenshot%202023-07-20%20at%2010.29.54%20AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="686" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01TOl_VyhmI2sUGUKZSBSKI8ZJ3LvdSMK_vOpF1FHp8TYxhm8z0V1LOdC3-2dFklWUoz6lOg0Q0vvpXp2-pCLaP8PBY2fzdaAZsZziEqvmL-XytBt_GWltFay4e84ZZjOUibv00mL-P0J0v_Jp3NX8-EYHDjyQIWTE2Q2qlT5HeFZPbed77bW/w640-h524/Screenshot%202023-07-20%20at%2010.29.54%20AM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: x-large;">That's the most ridiculous Green Arrow thing I've ever seen.<br />And I've seen <a href="http://absorbascon.blogspot.com/2006/01/quick-speedy-plastic-cat-arrows.html" target="_blank">the Plastic Cat Arrow</a>.</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">There is just SO much wrong with that panel that to discuss it would take longer than recapping the entire story. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The rest of the story is just skippable mop-up ops, including the Golden Age finishing trope of the <b>Chastisement of The Foolish</b> (usually reserved for the villain but sometimes bestowed on a <b>Well-Meaning But Misguided Civilian</b>, as in this case).</div></span><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-I3m9fEgD6MHg3hLODemsiFplbI8Eb5jKtqOQbAbsJd9Co5oxv0MOuDUjH08KRiRCtAoAYTHsQ550lFxCmoziRB8els4h8lQlsh_qq0aw63_KxmJaUGwAJ5lNKEUm-gzFRTSBB9aN4GO6MjTrDc0uk1VuktifdvRx9PgZP6CCsKb7B17K7GM/s876/Screenshot%202023-07-20%20at%202.58.45%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="876" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-I3m9fEgD6MHg3hLODemsiFplbI8Eb5jKtqOQbAbsJd9Co5oxv0MOuDUjH08KRiRCtAoAYTHsQ550lFxCmoziRB8els4h8lQlsh_qq0aw63_KxmJaUGwAJ5lNKEUm-gzFRTSBB9aN4GO6MjTrDc0uk1VuktifdvRx9PgZP6CCsKb7B17K7GM/w640-h364/Screenshot%202023-07-20%20at%202.58.45%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: League Spartan; font-size: x-large;">While Roy nets the Lieutenant Louies, Ollie is ALREADY planning his next fishing trip with Hillbilly Arrow.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;">Of course you </span><span style="font-family: Walter Turncoat; font-size: x-large;">"ain't"</span><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"> in a class with those two fellows, you stupid hick; you're a risible hillbilly and they are well-heeled urban sophisticates who fight crime AS A HOBBY. I suppose this is why the Lieutenant Arrows were never seen again; they would have sullied Green Arrow's legendary dignity.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GrGVnEBGbNDVD5R7Z5qSXes_kEeiQkjx_j9anlZ91Iv9lqwJLgsevjyqK9mNsLbEX2XVEI-y_ffwzc7YwxpCdkg3zcmzZnDjSAUS6H2g-NEdkSRoLBPOPBjaTkhBJSOGmdaH3SQEKFS-TyFYkCIfg9Lb4uhuSsO12K_g09DP_rKj__aTmXsc/s538/Screenshot%202023-07-17%20at%207.54.22%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="344" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GrGVnEBGbNDVD5R7Z5qSXes_kEeiQkjx_j9anlZ91Iv9lqwJLgsevjyqK9mNsLbEX2XVEI-y_ffwzc7YwxpCdkg3zcmzZnDjSAUS6H2g-NEdkSRoLBPOPBjaTkhBJSOGmdaH3SQEKFS-TyFYkCIfg9Lb4uhuSsO12K_g09DP_rKj__aTmXsc/w410-h640/Screenshot%202023-07-17%20at%207.54.22%20PM.png" width="410" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Newsreader; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><p></p>Scipiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12112155718721908876noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-20173922197390079422023-07-19T15:54:00.001-05:002023-07-19T15:54:48.584-05:00DEATH IS THE PRIZE: The Lieutenant Arrows<p><span style="font-size: x-large;">When last we left Ollie, he was trying to prove that HE was Green Arrow to a bunch of (people who he doesn't realize are) criminals, in distinction to the three fakers who've shown up.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxEDTel9sj0YMjXJxLPJMWT5L0ebCxdo5KXnG6wjStN2oJZS9Qqypm6IwSx1Sq4-z3ovk_n97jxhcDt93n0_VCO5hFO1BvX-4g2dloDd_XkXkfUukTLWqEi5_xoLmGTc9h2LVmoaDcTa7dMXjOZ-hE8iX-Ps2KXqc_D8uFHO_VlByBNbWAUBl/s518/Screenshot%202023-07-19%20at%203.19.13%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="518" data-original-width="494" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxEDTel9sj0YMjXJxLPJMWT5L0ebCxdo5KXnG6wjStN2oJZS9Qqypm6IwSx1Sq4-z3ovk_n97jxhcDt93n0_VCO5hFO1BvX-4g2dloDd_XkXkfUukTLWqEi5_xoLmGTc9h2LVmoaDcTa7dMXjOZ-hE8iX-Ps2KXqc_D8uFHO_VlByBNbWAUBl/w610-h640/Screenshot%202023-07-19%20at%203.19.13%20PM.png" width="610" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Let's call them Fat Arrow, Hillbilly Arrow, and Tall Arrow.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXy31v43wpRrqj-GFubPWRfy8ZjUxs2znLVxQYBQM0Tus5AZkYZYT1SvusFALzhk9vEm7ch9H2WuCNM8szBArkI1Y7CC_q7OnHb7TJ28Jd13WkkO40FkfzZlAJj2d_6bVTOpx5wyJfm-GY-xPbFUT4LZKD4p4uy5hjTSLtmZkIlLkqLLgEilg/s383/Lieutenant_Marvels_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="338" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXy31v43wpRrqj-GFubPWRfy8ZjUxs2znLVxQYBQM0Tus5AZkYZYT1SvusFALzhk9vEm7ch9H2WuCNM8szBArkI1Y7CC_q7OnHb7TJ28Jd13WkkO40FkfzZlAJj2d_6bVTOpx5wyJfm-GY-xPbFUT4LZKD4p4uy5hjTSLtmZkIlLkqLLgEilg/w564-h640/Lieutenant_Marvels_4.jpg" width="564" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>In a sensible city like Fawcett, these fan-boy auxiliaries would become an on-going comedy relied aspect of Green Arrow's adventures. But Ollie himself pretty much provides his own comedy relief.<br /></i><br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-size: x-large;">This whole deal has to be delegated to the guy in the gang that Green Arrow won't recognize by the actual Gangleader, St. Louis Louie, and his ridiculously large bow-tie. That's the reason the underling doesn't just shoot ALL the Green Arrows and be done with it, I suppose; it's just above his paygrade.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVf3NF27eEoSnNEddyegkuc6u5FdAMiBvFmsrH5cuPXuPaR6pRj8Pn94JXDKsomLEQVSLkXy9oNGHemCGn99D28U2GI_6Ctjc4PHhiIemFjTjABz6EyI1VMCOTwk8Fird5WXM4R-GM5XVgQnMZ8u3aRHpJXp3_vn9Vg0e-vs1nWPLmov1Nazum/s620/Screenshot%202023-07-19%20at%203.20.12%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="494" data-original-width="620" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVf3NF27eEoSnNEddyegkuc6u5FdAMiBvFmsrH5cuPXuPaR6pRj8Pn94JXDKsomLEQVSLkXy9oNGHemCGn99D28U2GI_6Ctjc4PHhiIemFjTjABz6EyI1VMCOTwk8Fird5WXM4R-GM5XVgQnMZ8u3aRHpJXp3_vn9Vg0e-vs1nWPLmov1Nazum/w640-h510/Screenshot%202023-07-19%20at%203.20.12%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>What a bow-tie. In Gotham City, he'd be a bow-tie-themed villain (Mr. Butterfly? You couldn't call him "Bat-Wing"). Frankly, he stinks of <a href="https://www.cbr.com/batman-ally-babble-suppporting-cast-talker-bill-finger/?newsletter_popup=1" target="_blank">Ally Babble </a>and the less you know about Ally Babble the better.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">And so, minutes later... the "William Tell" plot, where all the Green Arrows have to compete in an archery contest to determine which one in the genuine article, is <b>ON</b>. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFnMWudPrSR0MtRX2278h7zQMzDj5qO6XHj-d6-MWXdZO1HDgqwJParkesRGtTJ3q2EJ7ly91vk3I0YUaVynhnBbH5AiollqgxL3Miq_DBEk61rX3cja2LJTJdEsqsx4iJIJRIgv3UgRzREi0mskm45-p7vK_rN-9At46TZbzHcALA3LvGyw4Q/s532/Screenshot%202023-07-19%20at%203.20.18%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="532" height="596" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFnMWudPrSR0MtRX2278h7zQMzDj5qO6XHj-d6-MWXdZO1HDgqwJParkesRGtTJ3q2EJ7ly91vk3I0YUaVynhnBbH5AiollqgxL3Miq_DBEk61rX3cja2LJTJdEsqsx4iJIJRIgv3UgRzREi0mskm45-p7vK_rN-9At46TZbzHcALA3LvGyw4Q/w640-h596/Screenshot%202023-07-19%20at%203.20.18%20PM.png" width="640" /></i></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Fat Arrow, who claims to be a Green Arrow fan, can't even CONCEIVE of hitting a target that's ON THE GROUND. And he closed the comic book store early for this!</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">While all this sitcom nonsense is going on, <b>Roy Harper The Underage Adult</b> is worried that Ollie's not back from school and may be caught in a bad neighborhood.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidDyrChRfpcCyLN9UXXcO7sQXv9wtx3fvN4-k19MXED7C4QAYRlFHC22r0WlVpgOtr9GpAyPlyFsnRnSIqMoqH_HK7MHeiFWeBBQJYwSXFa_6CDdFEBw0yfrcC58pqHMMUSvXS1LwK87RdnK6ITV2IkQH46nb1C7gmdukCuQdutuXtKZTCypUt/s602/Screenshot%202023-07-19%20at%203.20.29%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="402" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidDyrChRfpcCyLN9UXXcO7sQXv9wtx3fvN4-k19MXED7C4QAYRlFHC22r0WlVpgOtr9GpAyPlyFsnRnSIqMoqH_HK7MHeiFWeBBQJYwSXFa_6CDdFEBw0yfrcC58pqHMMUSvXS1LwK87RdnK6ITV2IkQH46nb1C7gmdukCuQdutuXtKZTCypUt/w428-h640/Screenshot%202023-07-19%20at%203.20.29%20PM.png" width="428" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Sidekick is LITERALLY worried because his super-hero went to a bad neighborhood. Shake my head. It's too sad even to laugh at.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">Roy heads to "Elm Street", the name that strikes fear into the hearts of all law-loving Star Citizens. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1wD-yKtzHEBS999jr0qBBI5wZOoGHIuUcLKpxGNmvXdXzhZPAXj8O_Y8186j_ILQ0TM3SHMq-ze3Zumc11HJLkE7Aio5USL1YH120IlTlqhtyF6sKc5E5vQQPH7oRdxh7ftZ3l7UwocjyQg-TL9YGGWNEQDcpYyaJFFbPg2V2xxt7srp_Uroe/s742/Screenshot%202023-07-19%20at%203.20.37%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="742" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1wD-yKtzHEBS999jr0qBBI5wZOoGHIuUcLKpxGNmvXdXzhZPAXj8O_Y8186j_ILQ0TM3SHMq-ze3Zumc11HJLkE7Aio5USL1YH120IlTlqhtyF6sKc5E5vQQPH7oRdxh7ftZ3l7UwocjyQg-TL9YGGWNEQDcpYyaJFFbPg2V2xxt7srp_Uroe/w640-h520/Screenshot%202023-07-19%20at%203.20.37%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Arrow Fact: Roy Harper is a certified Special Education teacher, thanks to his time with Ollie Queen.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">So, rather than just, you know, <u>shooting the crooks in the legs,</u> Roy chooses to play along with the whole <b>"PSST!" </b>part of the plot like he's on an episode of <i>That's So Raven!</i> <a href="https://absorbascon.blogspot.com/search?q=%22in+the+leg%22" target="_blank">I'm a big fan of just shooting crooks in the le</a>g. Whenever anyone shoots me in the leg, all my focus on criminal activity evaporates immediately.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;">But, no, Roy has to play along because its in his youthful-ward-contract, I guess, or they send him back to the Rez. So, as usual, he out-William-Tells Ollie by screwing up what would have been Ollie's winning shot in the <b>"Will The Real Green Arrow Please Stand Up?" </b>contest.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4XR5sHdzR71KKmUXeha3CZ2B8PDegC65CJaczc5yMb_hEJyAdsTDxTVwTZUfFw2oDiZBYzI9mNFRND8ppa5Ey-NAFp_02IZ4MuOn6aKjBsW0tnOKc6OZKvRmMVsHx_WXTLTK2Cz7dCQDrTklhdsAwUYS9BKMVXZ2BByBPfdcAmT60uRIf_S9/s560/Screenshot%202023-07-19%20at%203.22.09%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="356" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4XR5sHdzR71KKmUXeha3CZ2B8PDegC65CJaczc5yMb_hEJyAdsTDxTVwTZUfFw2oDiZBYzI9mNFRND8ppa5Ey-NAFp_02IZ4MuOn6aKjBsW0tnOKc6OZKvRmMVsHx_WXTLTK2Cz7dCQDrTklhdsAwUYS9BKMVXZ2BByBPfdcAmT60uRIf_S9/w406-h640/Screenshot%202023-07-19%20at%203.22.09%20PM.png" width="406" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">Ollie, to his credit, figures out that the person who hit his green arrow with another green arrrow was not one of the Other Green Arrows, but, um, Red Arrow or whatever Roy's codename is.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaSu-_2aDqRwvGLCDEGUDSqhiFwDR83EzHr-zaKW3YrIrbg0ccAA3rSfJWX1a9mIasc2lWBs0PHcKSfGU02vL788pf6JrDfOsoFXC1CEO2NygXEYVeph1-TpTTSu4IBR73aCe3bbWeNqxvOtTI0xLNbsFvOLxfds3Z6DlbtKASsJpWwuMdg6rR/s810/Screenshot%202023-07-19%20at%203.22.40%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="810" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaSu-_2aDqRwvGLCDEGUDSqhiFwDR83EzHr-zaKW3YrIrbg0ccAA3rSfJWX1a9mIasc2lWBs0PHcKSfGU02vL788pf6JrDfOsoFXC1CEO2NygXEYVeph1-TpTTSu4IBR73aCe3bbWeNqxvOtTI0xLNbsFvOLxfds3Z6DlbtKASsJpWwuMdg6rR/w640-h444/Screenshot%202023-07-19%20at%203.22.40%20PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Hillbilly Arrow is NOT kidding around. He's increasing keen on REPLACING Green Arrow. In Gotham City, he would become Catman or Hugo Strange or Killer Moth. But, no; this is Star City and he's just Hillbilly Arrow (no real name needed).</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Ollie, while no one is looking, apparently, just magically pops up to the roof to chat with Roy about the situation.</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdGb-qBTYMMue_FhOjPnItPNZhDWHwmLY7Oskcop0Gbfl4AiTMhTrC6TNfC2loaIOQgTc6myIWbB0ShTZ31LnRve3UZAj2ujLkimHUgigWXDxpEDQ8fTve9un87hqpVr8vZ0feL82MW7guWsgCwk7YB7HTW5Yx6NbQ0iLMrLF6RwExr3d66vpw/s654/Screenshot%202023-07-19%20at%204.47.53%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="654" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdGb-qBTYMMue_FhOjPnItPNZhDWHwmLY7Oskcop0Gbfl4AiTMhTrC6TNfC2loaIOQgTc6myIWbB0ShTZ31LnRve3UZAj2ujLkimHUgigWXDxpEDQ8fTve9un87hqpVr8vZ0feL82MW7guWsgCwk7YB7HTW5Yx6NbQ0iLMrLF6RwExr3d66vpw/w640-h488/Screenshot%202023-07-19%20at%204.47.53%20PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">Did Ollie CATAPULT up there using the Arrowcar? I'd like to think so, but we know from previous panels that he took THE ARROWPLANE (unless of course we are still in the early period with the Arrowcar was CALLED the Arrowplane, even though it was a car, because Star City). Regardless, Ollie's got an giant yellow vehicle parked somewhere nearby that he easier could have simply whipped out the keys to as a way of proving that HE is Green Arrow.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">But that's just not how things are in Star City, so don't think about that...</span></p></div>Scipiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12112155718721908876noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-47354278801516993282023-07-18T20:16:00.001-05:002023-07-18T20:16:00.137-05:00DEATH IS THE PRIZE: Will the real Green Arrow please stand up?<p>The title of this post, for those who do not recognize it, is from an old game show, <i>To Tell The Truth</i> (1956-78), in which three contestants (one the genuine article and two fakers) would claim to be a certain person with a particular backstory in an attempt to fool a panel of celebrities (professional cocktail guests, mostly). Winners got, I dunno, a blender.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0ryTVykQFdcYRAVeBde1enGGU2WE2k6A-0dNhf5K5REq6Voo0vZia94PSMoX5B1j6Oex623zazc7puI_70kbtuXfzmNUU0k8kuF2HybhmPCzKZABfpGq12qYn6vG8iyr9sus8fGJU3aPwgG-ZO9hACzlUL-fmWuHIXkLOGndKzF219Vvx3e4/s1796/Screenshot%202023-07-18%20at%209.31.31%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1316" data-original-width="1796" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0ryTVykQFdcYRAVeBde1enGGU2WE2k6A-0dNhf5K5REq6Voo0vZia94PSMoX5B1j6Oex623zazc7puI_70kbtuXfzmNUU0k8kuF2HybhmPCzKZABfpGq12qYn6vG8iyr9sus8fGJU3aPwgG-ZO9hACzlUL-fmWuHIXkLOGndKzF219Vvx3e4/w640-h468/Screenshot%202023-07-18%20at%209.31.31%20AM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Actually, it was about $500.<br />The losers were executed on live TV.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Why, you ask...?</p><p>Well, when we last left Ollie and Roy, Ollie's bow and arrows had been *snort* STOLEN when he dropped them during a rooftop battle with some low-rent gang-in-ties.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcCc_ohY2PkpXHBEzkH8vfDs_qVcRfccZ2J-ACheEMtlaBeDRUjSnfm9kdaniSSXSfPb40SoQ0eu0gpo6uWCMbM_oKLykBpckZtTx0-4-iFNB_o7-ruUmecsLfYsQ5g-BAPd_3oi_UkB0OzL99xOq8p35yYCBndRPMlFWalmtftuZRLO4bGsZ/s538/Screenshot%202023-07-17%20at%207.54.22%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="344" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcCc_ohY2PkpXHBEzkH8vfDs_qVcRfccZ2J-ACheEMtlaBeDRUjSnfm9kdaniSSXSfPb40SoQ0eu0gpo6uWCMbM_oKLykBpckZtTx0-4-iFNB_o7-ruUmecsLfYsQ5g-BAPd_3oi_UkB0OzL99xOq8p35yYCBndRPMlFWalmtftuZRLO4bGsZ/w410-h640/Screenshot%202023-07-17%20at%207.54.22%20PM.png" width="410" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>No comic book hero has a higher Longevity/Competence ratio than Oliver Queen. <br />I mean, at least you have to approach Hal Jordan FROM BEHIND to hit him in the head. </i></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>Turns out, the weapons were snagged by an undetected member of the gang, who have decided to use it to lure Green Arrow into a trap.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFV1RbyCPGc5zKQfqIztLWrwPvzWOff63NMANbTPqN38_1WucFVNWz9WyEcFfOXWkuJXl15XW2Usdb_YrpsTCJS1unASWYX1vS55w-nsZ0zM-Jn8xphwEaq6Z-DnpWsjKWpTmovgIL66_aYa8UWkDGdO2fJ5XzL0W03-_8okGNAX9wh0K4G-iR/s694/Screenshot%202023-07-18%20at%209.14.38%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="518" data-original-width="694" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFV1RbyCPGc5zKQfqIztLWrwPvzWOff63NMANbTPqN38_1WucFVNWz9WyEcFfOXWkuJXl15XW2Usdb_YrpsTCJS1unASWYX1vS55w-nsZ0zM-Jn8xphwEaq6Z-DnpWsjKWpTmovgIL66_aYa8UWkDGdO2fJ5XzL0W03-_8okGNAX9wh0K4G-iR/w640-h476/Screenshot%202023-07-18%20at%209.14.38%20AM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I miss gangs-in-ties, whose native language is Exposition.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>If your first thought is, <b>"Really?! How can the criminals be <u>that</u> stupid to believe such a plan will work?" </b>The obvious answer is <b>"because they are from Star City, the City Without Sense (tm)"</b>. But the <u>correct</u> answer is:</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2YISlR5zF9PUVAmOusjQ6zOWx6e3FmVbhg7kG0HFj0jSxMln7QhnWVjbELVvSh9V3yZPsdd-s6jh4omGKw6i1W9oJLBHq3U-HC_2BUj0YsqOSqkhqH1QAH5WXTqWc2Pp__PaQv94tQX5mSK_JX69uWWxeOGZmeAIbmirAQnlFmqWyuncxf4iB/s616/Screenshot%202023-07-18%20at%209.14.06%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="542" data-original-width="616" height="564" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2YISlR5zF9PUVAmOusjQ6zOWx6e3FmVbhg7kG0HFj0jSxMln7QhnWVjbELVvSh9V3yZPsdd-s6jh4omGKw6i1W9oJLBHq3U-HC_2BUj0YsqOSqkhqH1QAH5WXTqWc2Pp__PaQv94tQX5mSK_JX69uWWxeOGZmeAIbmirAQnlFmqWyuncxf4iB/w640-h564/Screenshot%202023-07-18%20at%209.14.06%20AM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>CLEARLY, Roy, barely containing his amusement, <u>knows</u> this is a trap and just wants to see whether Ollie will fall for it. There is an entirely different (and MUCH more interesting) version of Roy Harper in the Golden Age then the drug-addled douchebag the unimaginative modern age has made of him. </i></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><b>"Because <u>Green Arrow</u> is that stupid and it <u>will</u>."</b></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDOwsk96X58Gt9z1-aoJZXoZejx0zZgZav4FCchm-zCIgiIbNGJJnGjUWubNYWoVry29G6vzetE1IN8sDdElqRxCPZTFWShTgnQWG88nJaGKdDDSXIkbi4sqbAtX0RcM7ndjZSxgjdJ7gAkGncLYKhwFOff6N7BMSR83bc_XFOlgWwHIgyd8qN/s544/Screenshot%202023-07-18%20at%209.14.16%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="536" data-original-width="544" height="628" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDOwsk96X58Gt9z1-aoJZXoZejx0zZgZav4FCchm-zCIgiIbNGJJnGjUWubNYWoVry29G6vzetE1IN8sDdElqRxCPZTFWShTgnQWG88nJaGKdDDSXIkbi4sqbAtX0RcM7ndjZSxgjdJ7gAkGncLYKhwFOff6N7BMSR83bc_XFOlgWwHIgyd8qN/w640-h628/Screenshot%202023-07-18%20at%209.14.16%20AM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"SURE you will, 'G.A.' Meanwhile, I will stay here, dressed as an adult, studying for the LSATs and boning up on the inheritance rights of 'wards'."</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>So. Ollie goes to reclaim his bow and arrows. After all... what could possibly go wrong?<div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztJX-4rDe3f0P6yfW8kjebd6BeiNbJQv9Fc6s5MxHgARXn_8gTTB0ewkJpFEwGxJIgrfm2W6cQj_Q5_3okpm0Cv0f2KYyRRq1kmn9UrUn-CPZuvHMJSmTMGye3YTfyThQ4v8xmfYPaPGLEhrmdC0ZgDypwt_nHu0qRV16z784wOwqKAQDKxiK/s522/Screenshot%202023-07-18%20at%209.14.46%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="522" data-original-width="458" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztJX-4rDe3f0P6yfW8kjebd6BeiNbJQv9Fc6s5MxHgARXn_8gTTB0ewkJpFEwGxJIgrfm2W6cQj_Q5_3okpm0Cv0f2KYyRRq1kmn9UrUn-CPZuvHMJSmTMGye3YTfyThQ4v8xmfYPaPGLEhrmdC0ZgDypwt_nHu0qRV16z784wOwqKAQDKxiK/w562-h640/Screenshot%202023-07-18%20at%209.14.46%20AM.png" width="562" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Joe Quesada cosplaying as G.A., that's what.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKPN1FeZCRfoatq7qESkgHBFI1SWjZ4Svmsa9rqqeFXvpX9kIPFTOS8HorBMICB2uh7Lbj2vMcNLKUyTK_n11YVQvjn1ssJypDke2kCQv7fL50KXubNWxD7PY-tU1DzQWq8eKIvsHIK3lc9HaLFWrJMO0PsGsEq5lhinaQ8C64Y30Zn2dtnzD/s538/Screenshot%202023-07-18%20at%209.15.02%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="418" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKPN1FeZCRfoatq7qESkgHBFI1SWjZ4Svmsa9rqqeFXvpX9kIPFTOS8HorBMICB2uh7Lbj2vMcNLKUyTK_n11YVQvjn1ssJypDke2kCQv7fL50KXubNWxD7PY-tU1DzQWq8eKIvsHIK3lc9HaLFWrJMO0PsGsEq5lhinaQ8C64Y30Zn2dtnzD/w498-h640/Screenshot%202023-07-18%20at%209.15.02%20AM.png" width="498" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"I can sell it at ComiCon!"</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>It's really easier to think of Green Arrow as <b>Star City's Greatest Loser.</b> But you're forgetting the host of Green Arrow FANS in Star City. Even though this one's avoirdupois makes it obvious he's not Green Arrow, he still thinks he's going to pull it off, because he's from <b>Star City, The City Without Sense (tm).</b> At least he's the only one.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3pPJ3fwC0PPdnOj4szp1D7XXtKe-gFhw3e1KlKqnXTuJzM3grouxh641L1gl2-6Ejo0pqIdkzD8OhFhYbu61ELrRW3XXcTna-xFfX2YXLPLmfxrn9u48Rb4qGi-ZD4-9__WW3NePqA8X8PMCYot5M3IV6LEvlELeuEpV0f512ktsg73EQoL4/s524/Screenshot%202023-07-18%20at%209.15.10%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="524" data-original-width="276" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3pPJ3fwC0PPdnOj4szp1D7XXtKe-gFhw3e1KlKqnXTuJzM3grouxh641L1gl2-6Ejo0pqIdkzD8OhFhYbu61ELrRW3XXcTna-xFfX2YXLPLmfxrn9u48Rb4qGi-ZD4-9__WW3NePqA8X8PMCYot5M3IV6LEvlELeuEpV0f512ktsg73EQoL4/w338-h640/Screenshot%202023-07-18%20at%209.15.10%20AM.png" width="338" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>When you become a criminal in Star City, you sign up to be the beleaguered Everyman in a faded sitcom.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9inL5Cas2ekDME-305MXEeCQt2FCWiz1UhbqsxRcM48LvZjd0wBo5fyL6NK3Na3Z4msdirj5sR-TUJLHVjpcDuH9uGbghfNsWLlmB2XKT0lvJ_CcOUjsBQma2Q2DsTnCOLFjRTIF7-xhY-p64a7SuCYg0sblO_6eO_X7C1_RkOCqO2Wh8bkY/s526/Screenshot%202023-07-18%20at%209.15.18%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="430" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9inL5Cas2ekDME-305MXEeCQt2FCWiz1UhbqsxRcM48LvZjd0wBo5fyL6NK3Na3Z4msdirj5sR-TUJLHVjpcDuH9uGbghfNsWLlmB2XKT0lvJ_CcOUjsBQma2Q2DsTnCOLFjRTIF7-xhY-p64a7SuCYg0sblO_6eO_X7C1_RkOCqO2Wh8bkY/w524-h640/Screenshot%202023-07-18%20at%209.15.18%20AM.png" width="524" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>That is, a surprise OTHER than that spelling of "dumbfounded".</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>Whoa, settle down, Beavis! Cornholio wants some arrows for his quiver-hole. For some reason, this hardened criminal doesn't just tell these losers to hit the road, because they are obviously not the loser he's waiting for. But it's all complicated by the fact that two apparently credible candidates for genuine Green Arrowhood arrive immediately after.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Py1xUwC7gH3Kd6b34FdjeSw9WXYXwbM5csaobCyK_kXVnnX5-M1VzHVtX2o-8uoOMV1U-dXcF0yYsnNj4yk6-NYXl1kAR3iCYNkci5OCJXx6JQ-RiuFsawTDSB8LhLQQazdmreWxsjnlXX2MN4G2f6XwJwYyXCpL_6rKPEQlmwLsyjp7jnxy/s660/Screenshot%202023-07-18%20at%209.15.46%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="660" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Py1xUwC7gH3Kd6b34FdjeSw9WXYXwbM5csaobCyK_kXVnnX5-M1VzHVtX2o-8uoOMV1U-dXcF0yYsnNj4yk6-NYXl1kAR3iCYNkci5OCJXx6JQ-RiuFsawTDSB8LhLQQazdmreWxsjnlXX2MN4G2f6XwJwYyXCpL_6rKPEQlmwLsyjp7jnxy/w640-h516/Screenshot%202023-07-18%20at%209.15.46%20AM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://youtu.be/PTEeJE3tzDE" target="_blank">"It's the plumber; I've come to fix the sink."</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Add "cosplay" to the <b>1001 Ways To Defeat Green Arrow.</b> How are they going to figure out who is who?!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="72" data-original-width="514" height="90" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVcUdhBtbRHleozgQD46_HXju6dUJWyjabeJZBZ3AksQhQgJqdRi7eJuLA76CHV3NZ_XoufI-xB4GrOAgxaAnxIJGovgaAnNRHW9cu4cZ_RS0wZU_adqX6pZouAQW_U_fRMExR76W7a4kZQO9Sk20kU-ybxXXK1W74UTpXN9ZVyMT8uUgIfIZK/w640-h90/Screenshot%202023-07-17%20at%205.45.14%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Oh. Right.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Ah, this is one of Green Arrow's "William Tell" stories, where The Plot awkwardly positions him in some sort archery test/contest.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXwqlGaFUUCSvj5R0T1rv6a81VPKyUTBEogqvSuPrjJk0pxxpiEtFQCCPBD4Dz4QwGNkCUe8IF7jDsrZmGRcfM8AODRFCnHflW9F3__sT80xa3xwK5WfI8fziz_VF9wj2RMdFDi6ekMsCpouibM4ikRt6wb6oeohf95Wj-SmWM3v84S2WLr6E9/s800/0*bRq5XiamZuC7mS4o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="800" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXwqlGaFUUCSvj5R0T1rv6a81VPKyUTBEogqvSuPrjJk0pxxpiEtFQCCPBD4Dz4QwGNkCUe8IF7jDsrZmGRcfM8AODRFCnHflW9F3__sT80xa3xwK5WfI8fziz_VF9wj2RMdFDi6ekMsCpouibM4ikRt6wb6oeohf95Wj-SmWM3v84S2WLr6E9/s320/0*bRq5XiamZuC7mS4o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"Whoever wins the basketball game is the REAL Green Arrow!"</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Gotham City villains would have simply shot them all. Or put them in an ersatz death trap. But this is Star City, so the criminals HAVE to determine which one is Green Arrow so they can kill him and not the wrong ones.</p><p>I'll sure they'll be no complications with that.</p></div>Scipiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12112155718721908876noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-9967388048969951092023-07-18T18:55:00.001-05:002023-07-18T18:55:00.151-05:00DEATH IS THE PRIZE: Our Unlucky Day<p><span style="font-size: large;"> Meanwhile, in 1943, we find Green Arrow and his sidekick, the one with the dumb hat, located on a rooftop where Death Hovers Nearby. Keep your fingers crossed.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="58" data-original-width="1154" height="32" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCQoZR2OjfolRmpASJQYrXntkDam9RIaO2YsBEx1CROmkYVjDt8AI5PnzsFrJOQe6ShxyjqfOn0nFEUIVGstrDUUCacGoXR2av0KXEQn-LtCkMwwUo8-EMGLqxmpk861LZfWK3rwz8ry5iYaub6Blk2fDSvHPrr8uBXn-BXGEKMUHyg088tNC/w640-h32/Screenshot%202023-07-17%20at%207.51.48%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><i>Um.. it's St. Louis Louie, Oliver. Why don't you just MEET HIM AT THE FAIR, like the song says? You are SO stupid sometimes.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCQoZR2OjfolRmpASJQYrXntkDam9RIaO2YsBEx1CROmkYVjDt8AI5PnzsFrJOQe6ShxyjqfOn0nFEUIVGstrDUUCacGoXR2av0KXEQn-LtCkMwwUo8-EMGLqxmpk861LZfWK3rwz8ry5iYaub6Blk2fDSvHPrr8uBXn-BXGEKMUHyg088tNC/s1154/Screenshot%202023-07-17%20at%207.51.48%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"></span></i></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsSaVgxCqvMRXC3s3iA_Cejlgg5SRUq9SBAkxkW8ys2K6WafFUTWM9WJhysrUq_vl82saAv2XEeTCZkfmr53KFATKrvfOXGZ-hUxAh_Z8HRMtYtqWHw8OvKU7Yirc39ztq3DZDISGskdwmmySGz6RkS7HbehsNB-4oVyC8k7ziz4701_3WbQox/s647/Meet-Me-In-St-Louis-1904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="647" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsSaVgxCqvMRXC3s3iA_Cejlgg5SRUq9SBAkxkW8ys2K6WafFUTWM9WJhysrUq_vl82saAv2XEeTCZkfmr53KFATKrvfOXGZ-hUxAh_Z8HRMtYtqWHw8OvKU7Yirc39ztq3DZDISGskdwmmySGz6RkS7HbehsNB-4oVyC8k7ziz4701_3WbQox/w309-h400/Meet-Me-In-St-Louis-1904.jpg" width="309" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Of course, I've BEEN to St. Louis, so I can't say I blame you for not going.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Rooftops are a REALLY bad place to try to run from vigilantes, because you're kind of stuck. I mean, it's not like you can just jump the whole way across even an alley to the next building.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="234" data-original-width="1168" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgGKd-SxtNFQKTzrfbLyBDwXmp4b7FJzMk460dLegBxusPAQJ7KH8gtCSW1C8HTpJahq0MNHGnaSU5dSmE1ctEqUvtqgI6uWCH5VCsXXdHMCOQ1oHsrQ9UArF5kGdlt504MjiPj9HkFng0BlbFw-NprpT8ALX2SH0QxZ-NATV1xtWDaz02R3K-/w640-h128/Screenshot%202023-07-17%20at%207.53.17%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Except in Star City, where alleys are either REALLY narrow or all the crooks are trained by <a href="https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Bulls-Eye_(Earth-Two)" target="_blank">Leapo The Clown.</a></span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgGKd-SxtNFQKTzrfbLyBDwXmp4b7FJzMk460dLegBxusPAQJ7KH8gtCSW1C8HTpJahq0MNHGnaSU5dSmE1ctEqUvtqgI6uWCH5VCsXXdHMCOQ1oHsrQ9UArF5kGdlt504MjiPj9HkFng0BlbFw-NprpT8ALX2SH0QxZ-NATV1xtWDaz02R3K-/s1168/Screenshot%202023-07-17%20at%207.53.17%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Ollie, who only has to hold on to his bow and arrows in order to do his job, manages to lose his arrows. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="652" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1C5DSaQDvo5prK2aQ00lrhcR638P1wxe8tyxwYTJAv6u6O5DdsYmj4kQTXjI-JczJ_hXXTeC0aO2msHlizFaTuaQnbJJzMaW2gZ4PqLoSVV5vOEBaKqt9aU64j9Ywvk807xedgm5mAKi4eN5fJjpRo6-ealqlG1cgJiAT6OcYXxcko2klzmb/w640-h546/Screenshot%202023-07-17%20at%207.53.39%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">What are the odds? Well, on the bright side, the next shot will finish him, so he won't have to manage long without his arrows.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1C5DSaQDvo5prK2aQ00lrhcR638P1wxe8tyxwYTJAv6u6O5DdsYmj4kQTXjI-JczJ_hXXTeC0aO2msHlizFaTuaQnbJJzMaW2gZ4PqLoSVV5vOEBaKqt9aU64j9Ywvk807xedgm5mAKi4eN5fJjpRo6-ealqlG1cgJiAT6OcYXxcko2klzmb/s652/Screenshot%202023-07-17%20at%207.53.39%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I think Roy will make a good Green Arrow. I mean, he's smarter, he's a better archer, and he's already used to wearing the stupid outfit. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="506" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4VMw41rUH77yMwkQZF9WXPKDU3b3MPfUWvRVVPvZaKsP_A9vidfvV5xuQKpyIVs9Y45X4vHs2zn60h6lxWiNI71_5KiK8By1Anb_GE2Ne_zcjR3Dy8kKKIRpeBoF_mExcuhaEi75hADjtZKWaApbbwE1A3iQ3IUwBIbpkNAV343aDQVggTGyS/w586-h640/Screenshot%202023-07-17%20at%207.54.00%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="586" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Ollie, whose plan was obviously to simply get shot, can't even do <u>that</u> right. Fittingly, he's up against a crook who only had to hold on to his bullets and gun in order to do his job and couldn't manage that.<br />You get the foes you deserve, I guess.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4VMw41rUH77yMwkQZF9WXPKDU3b3MPfUWvRVVPvZaKsP_A9vidfvV5xuQKpyIVs9Y45X4vHs2zn60h6lxWiNI71_5KiK8By1Anb_GE2Ne_zcjR3Dy8kKKIRpeBoF_mExcuhaEi75hADjtZKWaApbbwE1A3iQ3IUwBIbpkNAV343aDQVggTGyS/s552/Screenshot%202023-07-17%20at%207.54.00%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"></span></i></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: large;">Ollie, being a fit Golden Age hero, naturally trounces this pork-pied loser straightaway, recovers his arrows, and returns home to recategorize his Amerindian artifact collection. Or not:</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="344" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86x2VDI-N9JZ-52YRpVhluyP4GuAyrtPwwwDgpe2DWtCGzV9RVeyeDkleNYuTDRxJTjDzveT1yUagmX_2Rr74fRYX_OZmMJYJZlQlJgDacGOxIMyhkK3z7830Qd-raZNnQC53MBSVfD5gA4HA9Y0A3Xz0dSufQIExkTgLHzwtGlzwCZq7mePH/w410-h640/Screenshot%202023-07-17%20at%207.54.22%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="410" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">What's the sound of a gun bouncing off Ollie's head?<br />Tink? Blonk? Thr-Bung? <br />Where's Onomatopoeia when you really need him?</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86x2VDI-N9JZ-52YRpVhluyP4GuAyrtPwwwDgpe2DWtCGzV9RVeyeDkleNYuTDRxJTjDzveT1yUagmX_2Rr74fRYX_OZmMJYJZlQlJgDacGOxIMyhkK3z7830Qd-raZNnQC53MBSVfD5gA4HA9Y0A3Xz0dSufQIExkTgLHzwtGlzwCZq7mePH/s538/Screenshot%202023-07-17%20at%207.54.22%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"></span></i></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: large;">Add "empty guns" to the list of <b>1001 Way To Defeat Green Arrow</b>. And "gravity" I suppose. The final ones, it seems, since Ollie is going to be a big green splotch in a very narrow alley in about 5...4...3...</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="546" data-original-width="346" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghj4LmpL9cPz6SOtTRdQh483Ap_4Uy5Q988DSDzHsGibj0cosJyBAbMuvChX9mlk9FsCWA08ASUxaYne2M5WEthJtxztgiqp1X_snuRF-MoVtGQHAcQhVC_1IOX3kX_8GBK2mGn_SKDhGMIZWrt8fyxP1kHj-7VhCf_V3hNMlMQi8palWvXmY6/w406-h640/Screenshot%202023-07-17%20at%207.54.47%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="406" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Ugh. Roy saved him. AGAIN. Death may hover nearby for a chuckle but clearly finds it more amusing to keep Ollie alive.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghj4LmpL9cPz6SOtTRdQh483Ap_4Uy5Q988DSDzHsGibj0cosJyBAbMuvChX9mlk9FsCWA08ASUxaYne2M5WEthJtxztgiqp1X_snuRF-MoVtGQHAcQhVC_1IOX3kX_8GBK2mGn_SKDhGMIZWrt8fyxP1kHj-7VhCf_V3hNMlMQi8palWvXmY6/s546/Screenshot%202023-07-17%20at%207.54.47%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"></span></i></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">I choose to interpret the art in that panel as depicting that Green Arrow was prescient enough to have built-in, reinforced<b> Rescue Epaulets</b> into his tunic that Roy can aim for every time Ollie falls off a roof. Ollie has lots of flaws but a lack of self-awareness is not one of them. </span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="464" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrebfIB2AhNuOU-_tymuYvNWBn7eShSNsU7WiI-SbRrZG_6ewxk1eM--NzKtj8nLius7yyJTxf-R0OGWCP6ECZY6UqdnOkflZLAtsNAxoOr_ZqzQA1bpyXaJ8vVKF6RqJbYhKVT-7QYV-r-8fwdalDwz9MYmHUnD86Aygs5QhpL42Ky-urHy2l/w546-h640/Screenshot%202023-07-17%20at%207.55.04%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="546" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Of course you lost your bow, too. Kept the stupid hat on, though.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrebfIB2AhNuOU-_tymuYvNWBn7eShSNsU7WiI-SbRrZG_6ewxk1eM--NzKtj8nLius7yyJTxf-R0OGWCP6ECZY6UqdnOkflZLAtsNAxoOr_ZqzQA1bpyXaJ8vVKF6RqJbYhKVT-7QYV-r-8fwdalDwz9MYmHUnD86Aygs5QhpL42Ky-urHy2l/s544/Screenshot%202023-07-17%20at%207.55.04%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"></span></i></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">So, Ollie, who without his bow and arrow is just a dilettante anthropologist in a man-size Peter Pan costume, continues to run across the easily-forded alleys and rooftops in pursuit a group of armed gunman.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="740" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjluzI_EN0yZecnjKZ60yrbs5R0oyXgzIEh31f9TcaOkvH8xW7B_8ZAVMUYk1Ral8irWq9LJscPkpNioUX7T7FgX1gK0oJSU5JMU2iShCKrvzHCEvk3JGnB1vghv-AnL6112koucyKSfQQInx_rdtuDBz5ZxXM7kpfth_ASRIbdWqlqc7UDWwJT/w640-h442/Screenshot%202023-07-17%20at%207.55.23%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Your</u> unlucky day was the day your parents died, Roy. <br />Or any of the days you saved Ollie, who, you'll recall, currently has no heirs but...you.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Well, at least now they can go down in the tiny narrow alley and just pick up Ollie's bow and arrows from where they fell, rather than have to go back to the toy store and pick up some more. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="392" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp1pyv76rikDeR9J4JQez_1lZUKbl6t_zn7Qgg_Cs83TKT_uoVabka_Z44RUZ-o22CssBs7BxwctiweX5eEv4EvNAHErrg2sizAuJgfT1OIWoCfru2Ic4uXqszeoM8ViALx_8C4vxUycqKd1i11XCcSt_OAhb8NkmODlVSRzIIIV4ODALlcPiz/w490-h640/Screenshot%202023-07-17%20at%207.55.31%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="490" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>You <u>gotta</u> be kidding me.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp1pyv76rikDeR9J4JQez_1lZUKbl6t_zn7Qgg_Cs83TKT_uoVabka_Z44RUZ-o22CssBs7BxwctiweX5eEv4EvNAHErrg2sizAuJgfT1OIWoCfru2Ic4uXqszeoM8ViALx_8C4vxUycqKd1i11XCcSt_OAhb8NkmODlVSRzIIIV4ODALlcPiz/s512/Screenshot%202023-07-17%20at%207.55.31%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"></span></i></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: large;">LMAO, Ollie dropped all his weapons and they got STOLEN. Like, IMMEDIATELY. </span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJ-xZqQWBo5DZV5T3WkaLbbRTBqR49Z4RTAV5uqGZUqlZwz4a6hKVeKTmyfaB00AN_EqdIIaiLct74f106MBEM5s4L7IlyfXGAWupX5s-34DLctKUwKFAIbt4zq9mpScgi9P3A9kx3ZesK9R14rsG8ICgnjj7B77k3q-EfuVrdmzCSDY5ohbC/s556/7-14-1952%20law.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="454" data-original-width="556" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJ-xZqQWBo5DZV5T3WkaLbbRTBqR49Z4RTAV5uqGZUqlZwz4a6hKVeKTmyfaB00AN_EqdIIaiLct74f106MBEM5s4L7IlyfXGAWupX5s-34DLctKUwKFAIbt4zq9mpScgi9P3A9kx3ZesK9R14rsG8ICgnjj7B77k3q-EfuVrdmzCSDY5ohbC/w640-h522/7-14-1952%20law.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Can't believe that was never in "There Oughta Be A Law". <br /><b>Thanks to ROY HARPER, 1941 Papp Place, Star City, WA.</b> </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Ah well, Ollie's a zillionaire, so no big deal. He's surely got a million more sets of weaponry and can buy more (and nicer ones) any time he needs, rather than go on some wild goose card for "his favorite bow".</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">But three guesses what happens. </span></p></div>Scipiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12112155718721908876noreply@blogger.com3