tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post5222133103304022053..comments2024-03-27T19:04:14.544-05:00Comments on The Absorbascon: Mystery Date!, from Dan DidioScipiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16217376618860561999noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-48351805891999234222012-06-03T21:42:15.486-05:002012-06-03T21:42:15.486-05:00Sure, you can misinterpret what I said.
A) The r...Sure, you can misinterpret what I said.<br /><br />A) The relationship and marriage were at least half-forgotten. He wasn't involved in the lives of his vanished wife or his children until his daughter wildly guessed that they were related and happened to be right. If the relationship wasn't important to him, it shouldn't be important to us just because a writer filled a whole ten pages with the story thirty years ago. How you got that sex is equivalent to sperm donation, I don't know.<br /><br />My real point is that the it's not central to the story of Jade and Obsidian how the mother they never knew got pregnant, let alone Green Lantern's story. The core plot of their lives is that they didn't know each other at all until adulthood.<br /><br />They don't even need to be his children to be introduced, and almost every story could still be maintained trivially. I'm confident that the structure of the DCU or any character in it does not rely on Alan Scott boning Rose that one time.<br /><br />B) Harlequins were male, so it shouldn't terrify anybody that there won't be a Harlequin with an awkward relationship in the future, because it could very well happen. How you got to the idea of erasing female Harlequins are somehow disallowed, I don't know.<br /><br />Again, not liking the move for a whole bunch of reasons, but none of those reasons is imagined structural changes to account for sexuality. It can work, and if it doesn't, it's the fault of the writers executing it rather than in the concept.Johnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-24853125647796643752012-06-02T17:21:05.328-05:002012-06-02T17:21:05.328-05:00"So it's actually not very pedantic to su..."So it's actually not very pedantic to suggest that he could have been a sperm donor. In fact, he basically already was."<br /><br />You mean by being attracted to a woman, having sex with her, and marrying her, but without the deliberate intention of spreading his seed and producing offspring. So I don't see it as "basically" the same thing. The only thing thing they have in common is sperm.<br /><br />As for the Harlequin, so what if medieval lore had the harlequin as a male? I guess we can't have a Superman either (conflicts with Nietzsche's traditional vision of a "superman") or a Batman (conflicts with the traditional city of "Batman" in Turkey). It's a specious argument all around.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-62263496544690231022012-06-02T12:21:05.491-05:002012-06-02T12:21:05.491-05:00Just a quick history lesson for the "he can&#...Just a quick history lesson for the "he can't have kids, now." Gather 'round, kids.<br /><br />When Jade and Obsidian were introduced, Alan explicitly had no idea what they were talking about (Johnny Thunder makes the supposed-to-be naive comment that a man would know about something like that), and they admitted that they were only guessing. Their "evidence" that they were siblings was a telepathic connection, and Jade's powers were like Green Lantern's ring, and that was close enough for a parental connection.<br /><br />Their origins finally told, it turned out that Rose married Alan after a night of passion, got pregnant, and turned into Thorn and ran out in rapid succession, possibly hinted to be a single day. If I remember correctly, Alan didn't even remember the marriage.<br /><br />So it's actually not very pedantic to suggest that he could have been a sperm donor. In fact, he basically already was.<br /><br />And the Harlequin? Molly was a great character, but it's worth noting that, prior to her appearances at DC (and the later romance novel company), the traditional image most people had of a harlequin was male. Not to mention that the original Infinity, Inc., pitch included a male Harlequin suggested to potentially be comics' first openly gay character.<br /><br />If Alan was unsure about his sexuality in his early days, that relationship could end up being on hell of a story.<br /><br />Now, I still find the move offensive. Alan Scott of Earth-2 is hardly prominent or iconic, and Robinson's idea that Alan can be gay because it's Obsidian's gayness is on the level of schoolyard cooties. But that's another story.Johnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-18805282213034482442012-06-02T06:39:56.985-05:002012-06-02T06:39:56.985-05:00Two different anonymii. I am the long-winded one ...Two different anonymii. I am the long-winded one who thinks turning Alan Scott gay cuts too many ties with his past.<br /><br />Yes, Batman used guns for about a week 70 years ago, before they'd firmed up the conventions of the superhero genre and of Batman in particular. That is kind of the tiniest bit different from stripping Alan Scott not only of two wives and two kids, but even of any chance of having those wives and kids (I know, I know, Alan Scott could donate sperm in a story called "This Man, This Cup!").<br /><br />You do raise a good point about inclusivity, so let's note how James Robinson has made a decision to remove one existing and beloved gay character (Obsidian) from the board. He feels he's making up for it by turning Alan Scott gay, but treating homosexuality like a ball that can be passed from character to character is not really doing much for inclusivity. It just turns homosexuality into a gimmick, like El Dorado's Central American-ness or Samurai's Japanesity from "The Superfriends".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-19474651473421896592012-06-01T23:57:04.939-05:002012-06-01T23:57:04.939-05:00I find it a little difficult to debate anonymous c...I find it a little difficult to debate anonymous commenters because, well, I'm not sure if all the anonymous posts above are from the same person or not, and I can't really tell whose viewpoint I'm receiving. <br /><br />I will just say this: I like Alan Scott. But I do not feel possessive about any of the comic book characters. Any comic book character who has been written for decades develops character inconsistencies and continuity glitches. And I am okay with that. Batman started out using guns. Wonder Woman was a bondage freak. Bucky was dead. So was Superman. And Hal Jordan. And Barry Allen. Iron Man developed his armor in the Vietnam War. Nick Fury fought in WWII. Spider-Man was married to Mary Jane.<br /><br />I like Alan Scott. I like a lot of characters. They all change. Sometimes they change back. Their stories are told episodically by changing creative teams. Often, their developments contradict previous information. Personally, I try not to get possessive about them.<br /><br />What I am heartened by is DC's corporate intention to be inclusive. I hope that Jade and Obsidian show up as characters in the future. And in my opinion, I still think that they can be his kids. Weirder things happen in the DC universe.Roel Torreshttp://hypersmash.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-26904476749163754002012-06-01T22:58:23.157-05:002012-06-01T22:58:23.157-05:00One day, we will all will die. Some people are gay...One day, we will all will die. Some people are gay. When their obituary is written, the "gay" part out will be left out of it completely, if it suits someone's fancy. Of course, the deceased won't mind, because it will "diversify" the obituaries. Anyone who objects to this is a bigot.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-66285369763484347552012-06-01T21:18:45.783-05:002012-06-01T21:18:45.783-05:00It's even more a consideration if a huge chunk...It's even more a consideration if a huge chunk of continuity is going away. That makes each remaining scrap of continuity more important, to say nothing of reintroducing bits of continuity so there's a connection to the past. When Grant Morrison restarted "Action Comics", he didn't technically have to include a Lois Lane or a Daily Planet or even an annoying watch on Jimmy Olsen's arm; but he did, if in retooled fashion, because Superman set in Muncie Indiana (where Clark Kent works as an architect and hangs out at a local gaming store) just wouldn't fly.<br /><br />And yes, you're being pedantic on the issue of kids.<br /><br />What it comes down to, I suspect, is you have no particular affection for Alan Scott, so it doesn't bother you if they redo him from scratch. He's already a blank slate as far as you're concerned. Problem is, I like my Alan Scott largely the way he was. I understand the occasional need for change and will try to give it a chance, but throw us a bone already. Put in a cab driver named "Doiby Dickles".<br /><br />... Actually, Doiby Dickles should have been the newly gay character. He'd be awesome as the world's least stereotypical gay man, also the world's least successful gay man.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-31224384318068051722012-06-01T16:44:00.577-05:002012-06-01T16:44:00.577-05:00Well, the New 52 re-boot throws out almost all of ...Well, the New 52 re-boot throws out almost all of the established continuity already, so that's not really a consideration. <br /><br />And, not to be pedantic here, but there are lots of ways for gay men to have kids -- adoption and being a sperm donor among them. And in those cases, I would certainly consider them "his kids."Roelhttp://hypersmash.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-40458070890141758752012-06-01T15:18:55.594-05:002012-06-01T15:18:55.594-05:00Here's a problem I have with turning Alan Scot...Here's a problem I have with turning Alan Scott gay: it flies in the face of his established history as a father of two children by two different women. So not only are Jade and Obsidian currently out of continuity, they won't ever be in it. Not as Alan Scott's kids, anyway.<br /><br />Even beyond the kids is Alan's love / hate relationship with the Harlequin. That's apparently getting junked for no other reason than it doesn't fit with James Robinson's plans.<br /><br />They're doing youthful versions of the Golden Age heroes, I don't much like it, but so long as they keep enough touchstones to the past, I can deal with it. But they're altering aspects of Alan Scott's life that make the new version nearly unrecognizable. If anything he comes across like a GLC recruit who just happens to have the same name as the Golden Age Green Lantern.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-60932979530549768112012-06-01T12:30:39.257-05:002012-06-01T12:30:39.257-05:00I don't understand the reactions of the people...I don't understand the reactions of the people who think complain that having Alan Scott as a gay character won't sell more comics. Why is that the barometer? Whether comics are sold or not, isn't it good to diversify the DC Universe?<br /><br />I am in favor of a more culturally diverse DC. More gay, black, Asian, Latino heroes -- all of it. If this doesn't sell comics, or if it ruins a Green Latern re-boot (? I am not quite sure I follow Odkin's logic) then so be it. Sometimes we should just worry about creating great characters, not the corporate profit margin...Roelhttp://hypersmash.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-52840154130823892022012-06-01T07:44:19.804-05:002012-06-01T07:44:19.804-05:00>>>And nobody inside will buy more comics...>>>And nobody inside will buy more comics for it either<br /><br />I might. "New 52" has resulted in me pretty much washing my hands of DC -- obviously anyone who disagrees with such a move is of course perfectly entitled to their opinion -- but this at least makes it slightly more likely that I might give JSA a try than it was before I found out.ronaldnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-23564075462982296312012-05-31T19:37:31.189-05:002012-05-31T19:37:31.189-05:00Odkin is right that no one will care about whether...Odkin is right that no one will care about whether it's Hal or Alan. They hear that phrase and it's stuck.<br /><br />The worst thing is NOT the bigoted backlash. It's the KIDS. "Gay" now refers to "lame."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-43167341131963949422012-05-28T12:44:06.989-05:002012-05-28T12:44:06.989-05:00I can't believe Warners will let DC get away w...I can't believe Warners will let DC get away with this. You know the media headline will be "Green Lantern is Gay", and no one will read beyong the headline or care about multiple versions of Green Lantern. This guarantees they have given up any hope of a do-over Green Lantern movie. I imagine there are a fair amount of GL toys still out there that certain parents will no longer be buying, like it or not.Odkinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-7528124210347341332012-05-28T10:20:34.613-05:002012-05-28T10:20:34.613-05:00This idea just irrevocably alters a 70 year old ch...This idea just irrevocably alters a 70 year old character and gains DC nothing.<br /><br />Nobody outside this hobby will start buying comics because one character is revamped as gay. And nobody inside will buy more comics for it either.<br /><br />It's a crass ploy to steal some media attention away from Marvel's announcement that Northstar will get married.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-69306276730255382682012-05-27T20:45:51.017-05:002012-05-27T20:45:51.017-05:00My guess is Alan Scott.
Which is not fair, since ...My guess is Alan Scott.<br /><br />Which is not fair, since by now we all KNOW it's Alan Scott.<br /><br />Alan Scott?!?!<br /><br />They need a new dictionary with a better definition if "iconic."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-50197814016854626632012-05-27T18:50:34.481-05:002012-05-27T18:50:34.481-05:00My previous post notwithstanding, it should be BAT...My previous post notwithstanding, it should be BATMAN.<br /><br />He's the PERFECT option. It certainly fits the character's past (just ask Wertham).Dannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-18394977516509351542012-05-27T18:45:19.165-05:002012-05-27T18:45:19.165-05:00Absolutely NO ONE who has a preexisting heterosexu...Absolutely NO ONE who has a preexisting heterosexual identity.<br /><br />I hate changing a character in-story for an out-of-story (political) agenda. Every character has fans, based on the existing traits of that character.<br /><br />If DC wants a prominent homosexual character, then MAKE ONE UP. <br /><br />(This is the same argument I make about gender and race.)Dannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-59293705957942805142012-05-27T06:38:20.688-05:002012-05-27T06:38:20.688-05:00I have no idea who it will be, but I do like this ...I have no idea who it will be, but I do like this sentence in the Hollywood Reporter (nevermind the double L in Alan):<br /><br />"Allan Scott, the original Green Lantern, has been fingered as the favorite"<br /><br />Really?Dr. Mundanenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-16732005818196197302012-05-24T14:50:41.620-05:002012-05-24T14:50:41.620-05:00Linda Park was taking ProFem all those years. Wit...Linda Park was taking ProFem all those years. With Wally finally accepting himself, he can revert to being Lyndon.Jacob T. Levyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02575549001627195334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-30200014511187746412012-05-23T09:34:12.412-05:002012-05-23T09:34:12.412-05:00How about Wally West with Linda Park as his beard?...How about Wally West with Linda Park as his beard? While we're at it, suppose Linda's been his beard all this time, and the first person narration has been an act?<br /><br />"My name is Wally West, and this is the woman I love more than life itself. By the way, have I mentioned how much I enjoy vaginas?"<br /><br />The mysterious origins of Wally's kids start making sense too: first Linda's pregnant then she's not then she is again, and allegedly it had something to do with Professor Zoom. Couldn't have been a snafu with the adoption agency, nope, it was a shattered time line. The childrens aging "in another dimension" is starting to look kinda suspicious too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-42829675972103248582012-05-23T08:08:11.493-05:002012-05-23T08:08:11.493-05:00I don't think Nightwing would be a cheat, pers...I don't think Nightwing would be a cheat, personally. I mean, he's arguably "the REAL Robin", the iconic character who held the position for forty-five years, and has made enough other-media appearances that he's more familiar to non-fans than most of the list. <br /><br />On the other claw, dragging Dick Grayson out of the closet would essentially say, "Hey, that Wertham guy? All the things he was saying? Right all along."Your Obedient Serpenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07133256640355844314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-34679454831321662252012-05-23T07:58:19.871-05:002012-05-23T07:58:19.871-05:00Linda Park? What's wrong with her? What's ...Linda Park? What's wrong with her? What's not to love about a supermodel-television reporter-genius doctor-specializing-in-speed-force? <br /><br />Wait, I think I just answered my own question.Bryan Lnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-79807317150452021372012-05-22T11:36:10.338-05:002012-05-22T11:36:10.338-05:00"With those 18 words, Simmons drastically nar..."With those 18 words, Simmons drastically narrows the list of candidates, eliminating such popular guesses as Vibe (he’s neither a major character nor an iconic one) "<br /><br />!!!<br /><br />Vibe? Not major? <b>NOT ICONIC?!</b><br /><br />I am left speechless by the writer's cultural ignorance.<br /><br />But the new criteria also leave Jimmy Olsen out of the running, since he's been all over the Superman titles. <br /><br />I can't say I'm anxious to see Wally return (I don't really see where he could possibly fit into the current timeline), but if <i>were</i> gay, the very best thing about that would be:<br /><br />we would be spared Linda Park.Scipiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12112155718721908876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-8405666655963675882012-05-22T10:30:28.258-05:002012-05-22T10:30:28.258-05:00Male, and not yet seen post-relaunch. That narrow...<a href="http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2012/05/dcs-new-gay-character-will-be-major-iconic-and-apparently-male/" rel="nofollow">Male, and not yet seen post-relaunch.</a> That narrows the list of big names considerably. I'm going to say Wally West.Jacob T. Levyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02575549001627195334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11737441.post-87028865227184209322012-05-22T09:52:46.703-05:002012-05-22T09:52:46.703-05:00"Character" doesn't necessarily mean..."Character" doesn't necessarily mean hero or villain. So yeah, Jimmy Olsen works for me.<br /><br />But why not just bring back the Tasmanian Devil?steve mitchellnoreply@blogger.com