Sundry

I like the Shrew Review. Its author brings thoughtful intelligence to her reviews, and, more than any reviewer other than Devon at Seven Hells, she makes it clear why she does or doesn't like something. I disagree with some of her takes, but I think that's mostly because I'm more steeped (or is it mired?) in the pre-Crisis DCU, and that gives me a different perspective. In fact, I disagree with a lot of what she says. But the fact that I like what she says anyway is what makes her work impressive.

I have never said one even remotely nice thing about Marvel on this blog. Until now. One of the wisest things about superheroes I've ever read was said (with incorrect grammar) by Mr. Fantastic: "People like us who don't periodically reinvent ourselves are too quickly forgotten." Of course, it took a DC writer, Mark Waid, to have him make that wise meta-statement.

I kvetched recently about the snoozefest that is Superman's "storyline". But the most recent issue of Action (written by Rucka) actually interested me. Gods help me, I'm actually sucked in by the drama of the amnesiac best friend ex-president turned supervillian after learning the hero's secret identity from another ex-president turned supervillain plot. I just have to figure out how this will lead to Lana becoming Insect Queen again...