Superman: Doomsday
Sep 20I will not cop to actually going out with my hard-earned Benjamins (or even my hard-earned Hamiltons or Washingtons) and purchasing Superman: Doomsday. Instead, I will cop to an illegally-copied version from a friend, created using (gasp!) work computer equipment.
I will also cop to enjoying Superman: Doomsday a great deal. Which shocked me, actually, as the original story has always been one of those cases of a pop culture phenomenon that’s more popular than it has any decent business being.
The comics are…well, they’re dumb. They’re not BAD; they’re just big bang bust-up superhero action lathered with a significant dose of nineties’ comics angst.
The movie takes that big bang bust-up superhero action and surrounds it with a surprisingly compelling emotional core. The movie’s named after the Man of Steel, but it’s a story that dwells almost moreso on the two big double L’s in Superman’s life: Lois Lane and Lex Luthor. James Marsters wrings some oily malevolence from Luthor’s lines, and Anne Heche is…well, she’s amazing as Lois Lane. That sharp edge that you hear in her speaking voice suits Lois PERFECTLY. This is not the fey, demur Lois created in Superman Returns; this is the tough, smart, and sometimes a little bitchy reporter Lois. The strong female character one.
You go into the movie knowing Superman will die, but as soon as he does, the flick takes an unexpected turn. There’s no tale of the four mystery Supermen, and we don’t really see too much of Supes until he’s recuperating. Instead, we follow Lois and Lex as they attempt to figure out why the loss of this man has demolished their lives so much. It’s a neat twist that provides surprising emotional moments without skimping on the fights.
I never thought I’d be saying this, but Superman: Doomsday? Definite rental. Maybe a buy if it’s on sale. Have at it.
Medic!
Sep 18Oh God, it hurts!
I just watched the Justice League: The New Frontier featurette on the Superman Doomsday DVD and I think I injured myself in my excitement…
…you know.
In my pants.
Ouch. But hip hip hooray for Darwyn Cooke!
Oh no you didn't.
Sep 13Doctorow. I understand you take a great deal of delight in using the term “underwear pervert” whenever you can, even when you don’t have to. But when you do it to the Metropolis Marvel, you have to hand in your comic fan membership card. We always knew it was a McLovin-sized forgery anyhow, but were willing to turn a blind eye. But you’re crossing lines now. I don’t know how much more we’s can stands it.
The Big Blue Cheese is THE comicbook hero. If you cannot display any respect for any other hero, at least show some respect to the one that set the bar.
Congrats, Ladies
Sep 12I’m sure some hyper-observant types have already pointed this out, but doesn’t it look like Black Canary and Wonder Woman are totally getting married?
(Image from Midtown Comics, which I recently visited!)
On Comic Shops
Sep 12Tom Spurgeon at The Comics Reporter files a terrific essay on the state of the modern comic shop, and how to improve it.
