Skipping to Conclusions: Superman/Wonder Woman

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It’s been about twenty-four hours since IGN broke the story that Wonder Woman would get a second title… for the first time in over sixty years. Yay! What took them so long? Don’t answer that, it’s rhetorical. Anyway, the comic is called Superman/Wonder Woman, it’s written by Charles Soule with art by Tony Daniel, and it doesn’t launch until October, but I’m pretty excited.

I tend to like team up books. World’s Finest is one of my favorite things at the moment and Green Lantern/Green Arrow is one of my all-time favorite ongoings ever. But Batman/Superman is isn’t really up my alley, since I don’t really like Batman.  I sure do like Superman, though.  And Wonder Woman! And has there ever been a team up book that is about a couple? That sounds kind of cool. I’ve been reading Justice League regularly since my epic catch up last summer, and I’m looking forward to putting the spotlight on these two characters.

I’ll be honest; I could live without the promo art focusing on an impending kiss, when Superman and Wonder Woman are powerful bad asses of super heroics. But I also understand playing up the relationship, because it’s kind of a big deal and they kind of want to sell copies, and I absolutely want them to sell copies. Also it’s promo art, not necessarily the cover art. But it could be the cover art, in which case they’re certainly letting us know what’s going on in the book.

I’ve been pretty open about the fact that I like this relationship. Not just because I think it’s been an interesting new way to tell (and, yes, sell) stories about these two, but because they’ve told those stories without interfering in any way whatsoever with their individual growth or classic comic book heroics. The recent issues of Superman, 19 and 20, where Diana made an appearance as Clark Kent’s date – and then Wonder Woman as Superman’s ally in a fight – were a great read. They had everything that I want from a comic: action, mystery, banter, relationship (in whatever form).

But Superman and Action Comics are mostly about Superman, just like Wonder Woman is mostly about Wonder Woman. And Justice League is about a whole bunch of characters. Superman and Wonder Woman only get a page or two an issue, depending on story. If they even get that much. And other than the big reveal last summer, there hasn’t been a lot of time dedicated to telling their story. That’s a story I’m interested in reading about, especially if those two recent issues of Superman are any indication.

Since Helena and Karen are technically not a couple (really, though) and Valkyrie and Annabelle Riggs are still a question mark, Clark and Diana are definitely my favorite couple in comics. I’m looking forward to reading about their adventures, and from comments I’ve seen on the internet, they’re in pretty good hands with Soule (I haven’t read his run on Swamp Thing, but I hear good things). So bring on the super couple, bring on October, and bring on Superman/Wonder Woman #1. I’m ready!

Q&A #207: Pool Party! Invite the characters you want to your 2013 summer pool party.

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In Q & A, a weekly feature of Fantastic Fangirls, we ask our staff to tackle a simple question — then open the floor to comments.

Pool Party! Invite the characters you want to your 2013 summer pool party.

GABBY

I would definitely want a reunion of the characters that made the WB what it was in the late 90s, early 00s. Wouldn’t it be great to just lounge around the pool with Brooke McQueen and Sam McPherson, while watching Joey and Pacey sipping margaritas? Clark Kent and Pete Ross could be playing super-powered volleyball, while Piper, Phoebe and Prue practice their diving. I would trade styling tips with Willow while Buffy and Xander argue about who can read better. Mostly, though, I’d just be talking literature with Rory under the shade as Lorelai begged us to get into the pool. In short, it would look a little like this:

Except with a pool.

(Side note: weren’t those ads amazing?)

JESSICA
First on my invitation list would be the 11th Doctor – I’m a David Tennant girl normally, but I can’t help but feel that 11 would be more fun at a pool party. I also really want Hermione there, so we can talk about the best beach reads. Merry and Pippin would cause a delightful ruckus, I believe.

Boom

They’re probably great at pool games.

SAM

It’s a pool party, so obviously the best people to have hanging around a pool talking about how much better the ocean is, and showing off their skills in the water are… Atlanteans! And to make it better, because an epic game of Marco Polo or pool-volleyball isn’t REALLY epic until there’s a silly rivalry that makes no sense, I think Atlanteans from both big two publishers should be there. Team Namor vs. Team Aquaman.

So what about you? Pool Party! Invite the characters you want to your 2013 summer pool party.

What I’m Reading Wednesday: 6/12/13

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Hey everyone! I’ve got five books I’m reading this week, which is pretty big for me. I wish I could read all the books all the time, but sadly I have a budget. I even had to drop a book this week to make it in under that budget. Superman: Unchained costing $5 doesn’t help, but I can’t miss the first issue in this, the Month of Steel.

Anyway, I dropped The Crow: Curare. I was interested because I’m a fan of The Crow, and because this incarnation of the titular character is a little girl. But as Anika reminded me, I can always buy it later when it drops in price. There’s still plenty to talk about this week, so let’s get started!

Image (Top Cow)

Aphrodite IX v2 #2
Writer: Matt Hawkins
Artists: Stjepan Sejic, Troy Peteri (letters)

Well. I’m glad I read this one first. I’m also a little sad I dropped The Crow instead of this book in order to make my budget. But after the Free Comic Book Day issue, I wanted to give it at least one more shot to improve.

It didn’t really. I still like the art and kind of like the concept – it’s a little heavy-handed, this tech enhanced human vs. gene enhanced human storyline – but the character of Aphrodite IX spends less time kicking ass and more time trying to seduce that guy whose lap she fell into in the last issue. And getting taken over in “slave” mode by her handler, who basically sees her as a killer sex doll. At one point she’s wearing what I can only assume is the dystopian future version of a school girl’s outfit, while telling the main male character that she understands that men can’t be with only one woman at a time.

So on the upside, I won’t have to worry about getting this book next month.

Favorite panel:

Marvel

Avengers Assemble #16
Writer: Kelly Sue DeConnick
Artists: Matteo Buffagni, Jordie Bellaire & Matthew Wilson (colors),VC’s Clayton Cowles (letters), Joe Quinones (cover)

This issue continues the Enemy Within storyline/event that started with last month’s one-shot Avengers: The Enemy Within, which is basically a continuation of what’s been happening in Captain Marvel. So basically, all Carol Danvers all the time. I love Carol Danvers, so I’m totally on board with it. I also love the Avengers, as written by Kelly Sue DeConnick. It comes as no surprise, then, that I love this issue.

Where The Enemy Within was a lot of catch up for people who aren’t reading Captain Marvel (even though everyone should be), this issue was a lot of Avengers Being Avengers while, oh yeah, the bad guy does his thing. Each Avengers got their moment. I don’t read any of the other Avengers books (mainly for budget reasons), but this book consistently feels like “hey, if the comic book Avengers had a movie this would be the comicization of that movie.” If that makes sense. These are the Avengers I’d love to see on the big screen.

Anyway, the book is part two of five, so it’s hard to comment a lot on the story. The pacing is better in this than the last part, and I really like Buffagni’s almost cartoonish style. At points it felt like I was watching Avengers: The Animated Series. That’s totally a compliment.

Favorite panel:

DC Comics

Superman Unchained #1
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artists: Jim Lee, Dustin Nguyen (backup feature), Scott Williams (inks), Alex Sinclair (colors), Sal Cipriano (letters), John Kalisz (backup feature colors)

Okay. I’ve been pretty vocal, particularly on twitter, about my love for Superman, my dislike of Jim Lee’s art, and my lack of a budget. So a $5 Superman book with art by Jim Lee was a tough sell for me. In the spirit of full disclosure, I’m hoping to get a physical copy of this book for the Dan Jurgens variant cover, to (cheaply) frame and hang next to my Dan Jurgens signed Funeral for a Friend poster. Because Dan Jurgens’ run on Superman was pretty important to my adolescent, comic-reading self.

But anyway, Superman Unchained. See, that’s the thing. I don’t really get why this book exists, because it doesn’t add anything special to what’s happening with Superman in the other books right now. I guess it’s the “more visibility” thing, which is probably why Batman has a hundred books. In that sense, I’m happy for more Superman because I like the character (yeah, even in the new 52), and Snyder certainly does right by him so far. But I really like Superman (the title), and nothing about Unchained makes me think I need to add another $5 to my comic pull list when I already enjoy Superman (the title) and Justice League. I still don’t like Jim Lee’s art, and I can just find out the answers to the mystery by purchasing when the price drops or by checking wikipedia… if twitter or tumblr don’t inform me first.

I don’t hate this book, but the first issue didn’t do anything mindblowingly amazing. We’ll see how I feel next month, when the next one’s out.

Favorite panel:

World’s Finest #13
Writer: Paul Levitz
Artists: Robson Rocha (pencils), Wayne Faucher (inks), Jason Wright (colors), Emanuela Lupacchino (cover)

Not a newsflash: I love World’s Finest. This issue starts an arc involving the character DeSaad, who’s kind of a jerk and is after Power Girl (so therefore also Huntress). He sends mutated dogs and people after them, apparently to test their strength.  And PG may be losing her, so… drama! We got a teeny, tiny glimpse of Helena and Karen being domestic, in between fights, and it was adorable. I love them.

I think World’s Finest is an under-appreciated book. I may sound like a broken record at this point, but it’s female-led, the writing allows the characters to be smart, witty and kick ass, and the art keeps improving. I look forward to World’s Finest every month.

Favorite panel:

IDW

Thumbprint #1 (of 3)
Writers: Joe Hill (novela), Jason Ciaramella
Artist: Vic Malhotra

And now for something completely different. Thumbprint is a miniseries based on a novela by Joe Hill. I had never heard of it. I also haven’t read Locke & Key, even though I absolutely know I should. I won’t lie, I picked this book based on the cover and the description, because the main character is a female ex-Army soldier who was stationed at Abu Ghraib. That sounds interesting.

Mallory Grennan is back home from Iraq and living in the shadow of her dead, Vietnam War vet dad, whom everybody loved/still loves. She’s working at a bar where a coworker (I think) is trying to sleep with her, and she keeps thinking she’s a pretty horrible person because of the things she did in Iraq. And then she gets a weird note dropped in her mailbox: a single thumbprint. That leads to a flashback of some torture, as she tries to figure out why the thumbprint is familiar.

This is a dark book. It’s got foul language, torture, sexual assault, homophobic slurs, and death. It’s about a woman whose job it was to torture people, so I guess that’s to be expected. I will absolutely finish this series, because I want to know her story, but I won’t recommend this book if you aren’t interested in some pretty heavy ideas.

Favorite panel:

Book of the week: Avengers Assemble #16 (World’s Finest was close, though.)

Fanboy Expo (Knoxville, TN)

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by Jessica

Recently I attended Fanboy Expo, an itty-bitty convention in my hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee. In fact, it was held this year in a convention center inside Chilhowee Park, which is where my grandparents met in 1946. Needless to say, this convention experience was strikingly different than those I’ve had at bigger conventions. Maybe I’ve got some home-turf bias, but I like parts of this one better.

The first convention I ever attended was in June 2005: Adventure Con in Knoxville, and I was there to see John Rhys-Davies (because Lord of the Rings ahhhhhh!). I don’t want you to get the wrong idea about the caliber of this convention, so I will also reveal that most of the other guests were either pro-wrestlers, actors with bit parts in television shows, and former child stars. But it was still lots of fun, and I attended Adventure Con faithfully for about four years until a couple of years ago, when it kind of poofed out of existence. When I saw this year that something called Fanboy Expo was being held in Knoxville, I was excited to get back to my small-town convention roots.

First, I’ll set the scene. A three-day ticket to Fanboy Expo is $40. When I arrived on Friday with my printed out ticket confirmation, I waited in a line for about five minutes before a guy in khaki shorts and a Fanboy Expo t-shirt came around, glanced at my piece of paper, and dug a crumpled paper wristband out of his pocket. No lanyards at this con! I would have to wear it all three days to be allowed readmission into the convention (keeping it on wasn’t as annoying as I thought it would be). There was no Con booklet, just a sheet of paper with a schedule and a floor plan. The convention floor was relatively small, and the “auditorium” where they held their panels was, well, this:

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Just to be clear, I don’t mean these things to sound like I think they are bad. I don’t! I just want to convey how low-fi it was. I actually found it pretty refreshing, since at bigger cons, lines are often ridiculous and it is unclear where events are being held. But because I want to end this article with the good stuff, I will move on to a couple of negative aspects of my experience at Fanboy Expo. First, the name. OH GOD THE NAME. It just seems to unnecessary to gender the fan experience in this way, especially because there were just as many women in attendance as men. I will throw the organizers a small bone (the smallest, in fact) in that they do offer guests to buy a shirt that says “Fangirl Expo” (in pink) instead of “Fanboy Expo” (in blue), and that you can change the banner on the website to say “Fangirl” instead of “Fanboy.” But when you buy your ticket, it’s to FanBOY Expo, and it was never referred to as anything else throughout the weekend. Part of the reason this bothers me is that is just seems so unnecessary. Why not just call it Fandom Expo or something? Alas.

My other problem with the con was its lack of organization. It’s true that the convention didn’t have many big names, but they did have a fairly impressive Star Wars turn-out: Billy Dee Williams, Jeremy Bulloch, and Erik Bauersfeld. The three were supposed to give a joint Q&A panel on Saturday, but when the time for the panel came, only Billy Dee Williams appeared. Now, he’s awesome, but several people I spoke to had come on Saturday specifically to see this panel, and were let down by the fact that two of the guests never appeared. Furthermore, the audience was told that Bulloch and Bauersfeld would be giving a panel on Sunday instead, but when I inquired about it the next day, no one knew what I was talking about. When I tried to call the organizers, their inbox was full. I even asked Jeremy Bulloch himself, who admitted he had no idea what was happening with it. It didn’t bother me too much, but it seemed like a mix-up that could have been easily avoided with some communication. If the panel is canceled, say it’s canceled. Tell all of your workers to tell people who ask about it that it’s canceled. Tell your celebrity guests that it’s canceled. Anyway, on to the good stuff!

My absolute favorite part of this convention was the chance for fans to gather and celebrate good ol’ geekery in a region where that isn’t usually allowed to happen. One thing I noticed going to college in Connecticut was that in the North fan/geek culture is FAR more celebrated and accepted than it is in the South. Atlanta has Dragon-Con, but just about everywhere else I’ve been, fandom is anomaly. But there are still fans here! I saw a 9th Doctor who spoke with a thick southern lilt, and a baby dressed as Superman. I also saw one guest take a swig of moonshine right before his panel started (this might have been my favorite part of the entire convention). So even if I am a little miffed with Fanboy Expo because of its needless gender bias, I do applaud the convention for working against a different cultural norm.

The convention was also free from big vendors. Instead, the floor was covered with the booths of small business owners, people who own toy shops and comic book stores. These sellers weren’t there because they were going to make tons of money—they were there because they were fans. This fact not only contributes to the friendly atmosphere of the Con, it also means you can find some sweet deals on unusual things. I got a Han Solo doll, a Spock belt buckle from the 70s, and a print of some really cool Doctor Who art for under $20. Even if the floor was small enough that it could be thoroughly explored in an hour, I never got tired of wandering around talking to the vendors. One of them even insisted on crawling on his knees under a table to take something out for me to look at, and he was over seventy years old. That’s southern hospitality.

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Additionally, the size of the convention meant lots of access to the stars who were there. Often there were no lines at there signing booths, and their panels were essentially all Q&A, and very up close and personal. I loved the fact that stars who might not necessarily get a panel at a bigger convention were given room to talk to their fans. I was particularly excited to see Nicolas Brendan (Xander from Buffy) give a panel, as he was also in attendance at NYCC last year, but that convention was so busy I never even saw him.

Nicolas Brendan talked about what he had for breakfast and it might have been the best panel ever.

Nicolas Brendan talked about what he had for breakfast and it might have been the best panel ever.

Fanboy Expo also had a high concentration of stars from bygone decades. I was as starstruck as I have ever been in my life to realize that Jeremy Miller, who played Ben on the sitcom Growing Pains twenty years ago, was in attendance. He waved at me and I almost died.

All in all, Fanboy Expo was a fun way to spend the first weekend in June, even if it does have a few kinks to work out. And, after all, it’s a helluva lot better than going to the Gun Show. (No, really, that’s the big event happening in Knoxville this weekend…)

Q&A #206: What is a television series you are currently enjoying?

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In Q & A, a weekly feature of Fantastic Fangirls, we ask our staff to tackle a simple question — then open the floor to comments.

What is a television series you are currently enjoying?

CAROLINE

Game of Thrones.

I read the whole Song of Ice and Fire book cycle (well, as much of it as exists) a few years ago, and then I watched the first season when it came out on DVD. I enjoyed it, I thought Iit was fine, but I wasn’t even sure I was going to keep up with it.

Then — when I was sleeping or drunk, or an imp or a Red God whispered in my ear — I apparently pre-ordered the DVD’s of season 2 from Amazon, and ended up watching most of it on a train ride from New Jersey to Richmond. (Spoiler: there are several scenes in season 2 of Game of Thrones that you don’t necessarily want to find yourself watching on a laptop in a public train car. I make these mistakes so you don’t have to.)

Anyway, I got through those and lo and behold, season 3 was starting on HBO. My cable company was running a special (I think it was called the We Know You Most of You Nerds are Downloading Game of Thrones Anyway, Give Us a Measly Cut Special,) so now I’m an HBO subscriber.

Since then, I’ve been enjoying Game of Thrones. I enjoy the show — the actors are great, the scale is epic, the costumes are amazing, and even though I technically “know what happens,” I don’t know exactly when the big events are coming, or what these particular embodiments of the characters will say about them.

Plus there’s the Internet, and the bonus of watching the unprepared masses writhe in pain.
What can I say?

JESSICA

It’s the summer, which means most of the shows I watch have ended, but one of them is still going strong: Mad Men. It’s hard for me to pinpoint why I like this show so much, since most of the stuff that happens on it is rather depressing. Just this season, Bobby Kennedy got shot, Don continued to cheat on his wife, and basically everyone was a dick to Peggy and Joan in the office. Maybe it’s because it gives a realistic glimpse of what life was really like for many women in the 1960s. Betty, Peggy, and Joan all lead very different, but very real lives, lives pretty unlike the stereotypical female experience from the era I usually see depicted on film and TV. Or it might just be because everything everyone wears is the bessssttt.

Also I’m re-watching Star Trek TOS this summer because Spock and feelings.

GABBY

Apparently Jessica and I are enjoying the same TV show right now! Yes, I’m binging Mad Men although I’m definitely not up to date. I am currently enjoying season 4 on Netflix, and it’s hitting the spot. The last time I watched this show, my grandmother had just passed away and it brought me a lot of comfort. The set decors reminded me of her house, and the characters’ smooth voices lulled me to calmness. Now, my boyfriend has returned home for the Summer and I find myself alone in the city; all the ingredients were there for me to jump back into Mad Men. I’m enjoying watching Sally and Don grow up in this post-divorce season.

Otherwise, I watch a new show every two weeks for inconnu mag’s GTFO TV Club. This week’s show was Veep, but I can’t really say I enjoyed it. I much preferred Teen Wolf, and I’m so glad I got caught up in time for season 3! That show is like candy. Delicious, Stiles-flavored candy.

So what about you? What is a television series you are currently enjoying?

Skipping to Conclusions: The 12th Doctor

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In geekdom, we see a lot of teasers. Sometimes it’s just an image or the name of a creator, other times it’s a trailer or a simple tag line. Whatever it is, it’s meant to get a reaction from you and start a discussion. Inspired by the anticipation and buzz caused by these teasers, we at Fantastic Fangirls present Skipping to Conclusions in which we speculate about the comics, movies, TV shows, or whatever we’re excited about but hasn’t come out yet.

Doctor Who is always evolving. With Matt Smith’s upcoming departure from the series rumors abound regarding who should be, could be, and even has already been offered the role of the 12th Doctor. But at this stage in the game the fun is coming up with ideas, plausible or not (and sometimes just silly). Here are a few of our favorites:

Jason Isaacs.

Because Jason Isaacs should be in everything.

Alex Kingston. First, there’s precedent. When Romana regenerated (way back in 1979), she chose to look like Princess Astra (eventually), because… well because they’d hired Lalla Ward on full time after she’d appeared in “The Armageddon Factor” as Princess Astra. So it’s totally within canonical acceptability – whatever that means in Doctor Who – for the Doctor to both choose his next regeneration and have it look like someone we’ve already met. Second, any future scenes with River would take on some Orphan Black level awesomeness. Third, Alex Kingston, right?

Look, she’s already played a doctor! Halfway there!

Most of this would work for Catherine Tate also, and would, IMO, be a great homage by the Doctor to his memory-wiped friend. Plus then she’d finally be ginger.

Idris Elba for 12th Doctorrrrrr.

I’m going to make campaign posters!

I don’t watch Doctor Who.

What would make me watch Doctor Who: Dichen Lachman as the 12th Doctor.

Zac Efron. Shhh, think about it. Close your eyes, picture the TARDIS opening and Zac Efron steps out all Zac Efron like. Imagine the line “Bow ties are cool” being said by Zac Efron. Imagine the host of Zac Efron catch phrases that could replace it. Imagine how no one would ever take him seriously and it would be adorable.

Zac Efron is the answer.

Big Bird.

Joss Whedon gave my commencement address.

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by Jessica

I don’t even know how to say this: Joss Whedon gave my commencement address. WHAT IS THAT? It happened almost two weeks ago, and I still don’t quite believe that it’s true. When I was applying to colleges, I actually only applied to Wesleyan because it was easy. There was no supplement! When I got rejected from my first choice schools, I was pretty devastated, but after a while my tears had begun to dry and Wesleyan was looking pretty good. It wasn’t long before I was getting pretty excited about attending this school I hadn’t known very much about before. One of the things I was most excited about didn’t have to do with Wesleyan’s academics or social scene: I learned that one of my favorite directors, Joss Whedon, creator of Firefly and Buffy the Vampire Slayer was a Wesleyan alum.

Although I had a rather rough adjustment to my first few months of college, I made it my personal mission to meet Joss Whedon before I graduated, certain that I would run into him while he was back for some reunion. I had high hopes when a group of students staged a production of Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog when I was a freshman, and again in the Spring of 2011, which would have been Joss Whedon’s 25th class reunion. I had no luck either time, and was beginning to believe that my dream would never become a reality when it was announced that he would give the 2013 commencement address.

When senior week rolled around, I had a lot on my mind: ushering my family around campus as they arrived, picking up my diploma, packing up my room, saying goodbye to friends, but most importantly: MEETING JOSS WHEDON. I was thrilled to learn that there would be a screening of his upcoming film Much Ado About Nothing at our film department. I was sure he would show, so I skipped out of a banquet early and hurried over to stand in line. After we were let into the theater, we were told that Joss would likely show up at the end of the film to answer a few questions. About twenty minutes before the show was over, I saw him come in through the side door. I was so excited that I could barely focus on the end of the screening. After Much Ado was over, Joss fielded a number of questions from the audience. I was too nervous to ask one myself, but looked forward to when the event would be over so I could approach him and talk. Unfortunately, he ducked out immediately afterwards. I waited around outside (in the rain!) for a bit, hoping he might show up, but he never did. (By the way, the film was amazing, although I don’t think anyone expected anything less! Nathan Fillion as Dogberry 4 lyfe.)

For the next two nights, I kept my ears open for where Joss might be on campus. I kept hearing stories of my friends running in to him, but had no success myself. I tried not to appear too envious, but inside was questioning my every move: WHY didn’t I pretend to be a film major so I could attend their luncheon? Lots of people had met him there! WHY didn’t I pay to go to Eclectic Friday night — he was there too!? WHY did I hang out at my society house when the tent party was happening because OBVIOUSLY Joss Whedon was going to be there instead?!

By the time the morning of graduation rolled around, I figured I would have to be content with listening to Joss Whedon’s speech like everyone else. I mean, that’s already pretty awesome, right? And I had a lot of other things on my mind. People told me lots of things about graduation, but nobody told me how surreal it was going to be. I wasn’t exactly in the perfect frame of mind to take in the wise words of one of my heroes. Honestly, I’ll credit him with the fact that he managed to make us laugh—an audience of 800 petrified college seniors is a tough crowd. If you haven’t read the text of the speech or watched the video, I totally recommend checking it out. He said a lot of really smart things, some of which I think I’ll appreciate more in a few months (a few years?) when I’ve had more time to settle down. On the whole, it was pretty great advice. This is just an excerpt:

“The thing about our country is—oh, it’s nice, I like it—it’s not long on contradiction or ambiguity. It’s not long on these kinds of things. It likes things to be simple, it likes things to be pigeonholed—good or bad, black or white, blue or red. And we’re not that. We’re more interesting than that. And the way that we go into the world understanding is to have these contradictions in ourselves and see them in other people and not judge them for it. To know that, in a world where debate has kind of fallen away and given way to shouting and bullying, that the best thing is not just the idea of honest debate, the best thing is losing the debate, because it means that you learn something and you changed your position. The only way really to understand your position and its worth is to understand the opposite. That doesn’t mean the crazy guy on the radio who is spewing hate, it means the decent human truths of all the people who feel the need to listen to that guy. You are connected to those people. They’re connected to him. You can’t get away from it.”

I’ll be honest though. With all that was going on in my head that morning, I mostly took away the idea that being grown-up can’t possibly be so bad because for me it started with Joss Whedon telling me stuff.

Joss Whedon @ Wesleyan University

Anyway, after the speech was over, as we started lining up to head up to the podium to get our diplomas, I noticed something important: Joss was seated in such a way that he could shake hands with graduating students as we walked up to the podium. I became so focused on the chance to meet my hero that I barely even heard the announcers calling out my friends’ names. Graduating and geeking out are two things that are very hard to do at one time! As the line slowly moved forward, I tried to signal to a friend to get a picture of me with Joss. I think my exact, frantic words were: “Take a picture of me touching Joss Whedon PLEASE!”

Before I knew it, the moment had arrived: I was shaking Joss Whedon’s hand. I think I told him, “You’re amazing, thank you,” or something silly like that. The rest was a daze, and soon the ceremony was over, my family was gathered around, and my friend hadn’t been able to get the picture.

After the ceremony I was so busy with picture taking and family herding that I couldn’t spare more than a pang of regret for this missed opportunity. After all, I had still gotten to hear his speech AND shake his hand. Plus, my brother mentioned that he had gotten a photo of Joss giving his speech, so I figured that would have to do. BUT LO, DEAR READER. A couple of days later, after a looooong drive back to Tennessee, my brother posted pictures of graduation on Facebook. I looked at them eagerly, since I hadn’t taken any of my own. And to my surprise, THERE WAS THE PICTURE:

Jessica and Joss Whedon

It may seem silly that for my college graduation day I was so focused on this seemingly frivolous task, but it (mostly) kept me from freaking out about graduating, and I count that as a plus. The real world seems like a tough place, but I think I’m off to a good start.

Jessica graduated from Wesleyan University, Sunday May 26, 2013, with degrees in Classics, English, and Theater.

What I’m Reading Wednesday: 6/5/2013

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Happy Wednesday everyone! I have four pulls on my list this week. I considered jumping in  on Green Lantern with issue 21, now that there’s a new creative team, but I’m holding off for now. I’ve never really clicked with any of the myriad GL books. But I’m willing to hear opinions. Sell me on it, Lantern fans!

Okay, that aside, on to the comics I did read!

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East of West #3
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Artists: Nick Dragotta, Frank Martin (colors), Rus Wooton (letters)

My favorite part of East of West so far has been the trio of War, Famine, and Pestilence. They weren’t in this issue as much, and I felt it, though the scene they did get was pretty memorable (it involved a talking internal organ). The focus of this issue was mainly Death’s wife, the daughter of the leader of New Shanghai. New Shanghai is run by a guy named Mao, and that’s been my other favorite part of this comic so far: the world building. I like the different future-countries, and want to know more about how they developed and what they have to do with the Chosen. That sort of thing is what keeps me coming back every month; each issue gives us a little more info. That and the amazingly snarky, child-Riders of the Apocalypse.

Favorite panel:

DC Comics

The Movement #2
Writer: Gail Simone
Artists: Freddie Williams II, Chris Sotamayor (colors), Carlos M. Mangual (letters), Amanda Conner (Cover)

So this issue introduced two new characters, one in a wheelchair and a character who I think is supposed to be Native American, called Rainmaker (yep). Maybe she’s not supposed to be Native American, but she’s wearing fringe leather and it’s the absolute first thing that came to mind. Visual clues, you know? It also fleshed out some of the other characters more, and had a pretty good reveal towards the end about one of them.

But I don’t get this book, honestly. I would be a lot happier if they dealt with issues of social justice and socioeconomic class in other books, instead of essentially creating a ghetto for these kinds of stories. Like back in the day when two of the established heroes, Green Lantern and Green Arrow, went around and existed in a realistic world where there was poverty and racism. Why does Superman never have to deal with poverty?

Anyway, that said, I’m more interested after issue two than I was after issue one. I liked that reveal at the end (not Rainmaker), and now that I know a little more about the characters, I’m starting to care. I will definitely stay through the first arc, at least.

Favorite panel:

Earth 2
Writer: James Robinson
Artists: Yildiray Cinar (pencils), Rob Hunter (inks), Peter Pantazis (colors)

I really like this book. Despite the invisible queerness of Alan Scott, it’s a pretty diverse line up. After over a year of set up, I feel like things are finally getting going. I like the Captain Steel character already, after only one issue (and a little bit in the Annual), and I really like what they’re doing with Code Red stuff. As I’ve said many times before, I like when there are creative parallels in parallel universe stories. The war with Steppenwolf (and Fury!) is about to start, the mystery of Alan’s fridged boyfriend is unfolding piece by piece, a killer Batman is stalking the shadows, and I can only assume that Barry Allen is off being awesome. Earth 2 never seems to stand out among the crowd, but it’s consistently one of my favorite books.

Favorite panel:

Marvel Comics

Fearless Defenders #5
Writer: Cullen Bunn
Artists: Will Sliney, Veronica Gandini (colors), VC’s Clayton Cowles (letters), Mark Brooks (cover)

Listen. If you’re not reading Fearless Defenders, I don’t know what you’re doing with your time. This book is awesome. I will add the caveat: the art can sometimes leave something to be desired (Carol’s hair in this issue, for example), but the writing and the story more than make up for it. Issue five starts a mega team up of all sorts of awesome ladies, brought together by Misty Knight to answer the call for a new set of Sheildmaidens. And when I say “mega”, I mean a dozen of Marvel’s coolest female characters, complete with fighting skills and quips. At one point, I was so happy with what was going on that I actually clapped with joy.

Favorite page: (It was so hard to choose a panel. Basically everything after this page was wonderful.)

Book of the week: Fearless Defenders #5

Q&A # 205: Flashback: Who is your favorite non-superhero character in a superhero book?

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In Q & A, a weekly feature of Fantastic Fangirls, we ask our staff to tackle a simple question — then open the floor to comments.

Flashback: Who is your favorite non-superhero character in a superhero book?

GABBY

I’m really into Captain Marvel. I mean, who isn’t? If you aren’t, I urge you to check it out, because I echo Sam’s sentiment:

There’s a whole buffet of amazing non-superhero character in this superhero book. Tracy, Dr. Nayar, Rose… All of these people make Carol Danvers more human, and I love that this series is focusing on those aspects. My favorite of them all?

Wendy K., the graduate student.

(Because I just like to pretend that I’m her.)

MARIE

If we’re going with supporting characters without any superpowers whatsoever, then I’d definitely vote for Sharon Carter (aka Agent 13 of S.H.I.E.L.D.).

I hear that Revenge’s Emily VanCamp has been given that role for Winter Soldier. I really hope they do her justice- Agent 13’s past exploits have been as grim, gritty, and gripping as they come. In a perfect world, she and Black Widow would have their own movies.

SAM

It’s Month of Steel (I just came up with that), so I’m going with a classic: Lois Lane. Lois Lane is sort of the ultimate, archetypical non-superhero in the ultimate, archetypical superhero book.

And she’s great. So much as been written about the greatness that is Lois Lane, that I don’t really think I need to rehash. I definitely urge (nay insist!) that you check out as many of the titles on CBR’s list of best Lois Lane stories as you can, ‘cause that’s a pretty great list (and there are even more in the comments).

I knew who Lois Lane was before I read comics, thanks to the reruns of the 50’s-era Adventures of Superman I used to watch as a kid. She’s always been a brassy dame, and I love that about her. The world needs more brassy dames, and she’s still bringing the same strength and sass to the character in the new 52, regardless of her relationship status with Clark.

Oh yeah, and one of my favorite actresses is about to grace the big screen, playing a character that she wanted to be when she was a little girl. Not just play, but be.

Happy Month of Steel, Lois!

SARA

I am going to continue our theme of amazing women in comics and comic culture and go with Rio Morales.

Rio is Miles Morales’s mother. That’s right, ladies and gents, she is Spiderman’s mom! Yay! I love her and I love her relationship with Miles. I am such a sucker for amazing parent-child relationships in media partially because I have a great relationship with my parents and partially because, for some reason, all the shows I watched growing up had contentious relationships between parents and their children. While those relationships certainly are founded in reality and I know a lot of my friends enjoyed seeing their struggles on screen, it wasn’t for me and so I latch on to any awesome parent relationships that I can. Burt-Kurt from Glee, Scott-Melissa and Stiles-Sheriff from Teen Wolf, Arnold-Pookie-Phil from Hey Arnold. These are some of my favorite shows and these relationships are part of why I love them so much!

/tangent.

ANYWAY, Rio can sense when her boy has the weight of the world on his shoulders and does what any extraordinary mother would do: love him unconditionally.

Also, you know that Miles would not be the superhero he is without Rio, right? She ingrained in him a sense of responsibility and for caring for and protecting others.

She’s also beautiful, smart, and sarcastic. I hope I can be half the mother that Rio is one day.

So what about you? Who is your favorite non-superhero character in a superhero book?

What I’m Reading Wednesday: 5/29/13

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Happy I have two brand spanking new (basically) comics in my pull list this week. Plus an annual. That’s pretty exciting! I maybe get excited easily. Maybe.

Anyway, on to comics!

DC Comics

Justice League of America #4
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artists: Brett Booth (pencils), Norm Rapmund (inks), David Finch (cover)

So here are some of my positive takeaway from JLA 4. Actually, let me also say that I’ve enjoyed this book a lot so far, and in its three issues up to this point, I’ve found it more engaging than the first three issues of Justice League.

Okay, positive takeaways: Stargirl is awesome and Ollie is trying to grow a goatee.

That may not seem like a lot, but Ollie’s goatee is a sore spot for me.

The rest of the book, I don’t know. This book introduces Dr. Light, and no matter how much I want to accept that we’re in a rebooted universe, I best know Dr. Light from Identity Crisis. It doesn’t help that there’s a thinly veiled rape joke later on in the book, and that it ends with the (apparent) death of a female character expressly to draw the attention of a male character. It is literally stated by the villain that that’s exactly what he wants.

DC, why do you make it so hard for me to defend you?

I want to see where this is going, because I can’t imagine she’s really dead. But I’m wary of the book now. Even if she’s not dead, or she gets resurrected, or whatever, this particular character for this particular reason… it feels gross.

On a more positive note, the Martian Manhunter backup is pretty great. Some fantastic page layouts, and if you like the character or want a sort of classic-feeling science fiction story of Mars, it’ll push the right buttons for you.

Favorite panel:

Earth 2 Annual
Writer: James Robinson
Artists: Cafu, Julius Gopez (pencils), Cam Smith (inks), Pete Pantazis (colors), Andy Kubert (cover)

I think this will mostly be interesting to readers of Earth 2, which I guess makes sense. It focuses largely on Al Pratt, the Earth 2 Atom, who up until now hasn’t received much of the spotlight. It also introduces a new Batman (the original, Bruce Wayne, version died 5 years ago), Captain Steel, and the Earth 2 Scott Free and Big Barda. So it’s a busy issue.

I’m a big fan of the new!52 Earth 2 book – I love parallel universe stories, especially when the creators do a good job with the parallels – and I’m excited that all the pieces we’ve spent 12 issues putting on the board will finally start moving into place. Of course, now we’ve got a few new pieces to concern ourselves with as well, but I’m looking forward to the action.

Favorite panel:

The Wake #1 (Vertigo)
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artists: Sean Murphy, Matt Hollingsworth (Colors)

Hey everyone, I love this book! Okay, it’s only issue 1, I know. But the art is right up my alley, the colors make it feel like I’m reading a slightly-faded comic from the early 80s (that’s a compliment), and the main character is a woman who is also a really smart scientist. Also it’s deep sea horror that spans various time periods.  Deep sea sci-fi horror! Bam! This issue was a lot of set up, but because everything is new to me – as opposed to, say, set up in a Batman book – it was pretty engaging.

I think this is only a miniseries, which is a little sad, but I’ll take what I can get. I hope the quality continues in the coming months, but I’m definitely sold.

Favorite panel:

Marvel Comics

X-Men vol. 4 #1
Writer: Brian Wood
Artist: Olivier Coipel (pencils, inks), Mark Morales (inks), Laura Martin (colors), Wes Joe Caramagna (letters)

The main reason I bought this title was to check out (and support) the idea of an an all-female X-book. I have no idea why it’s all female, as I’ve only been casually following certain X-story lines, mostly All New X-Men (a book I tried and gave up on) and whatever’s happening with Bobby Drake, because I love Bobby Drake. So I don’t know where all the male characters are… I mean, they’re there, obviously… Wolverine is mentioned and we see Hank’s back. Anyway, I guess it’s just that there’s a ton of women hanging around Jean Grey School and it’s time to let them all have the spotlight at the same time. That’s pretty cool.

My problem is the same problem I’ve had with all X-books for the past decade or so, since I discovered the Avengers: why does the world hate mutants and not other (often mutated) superheroes? I know the Marvel universe has had things like Civil War and the SHRA to set up this “humans fear the unknown” thing, but I still get the sense that the X-people are the inexplicable black sheep of this universe, set apart only for the purpose of… being set apart. The first dozen panels of this issue just reiterate that, which doesn’t set a tone that I like.

I also don’t know how I feel about the first very-hyped, all-female X-book’s plot being about a baby. Or at least heavily involving a baby. Like. What goes with women? Babies. Again, there may be a nuance I’m missing because I haven’t been a regular X-reader for a long time.

All of that aside, I still like the idea of this book. I like these women being at the forefront, because they are all characters I’ve enjoyed reading about. I like that Storm’s rocking her mohawk again, and I will never not like anything that features Kitty Pryde in a prominent role. I’ll stick out this first story (three issues) and we’ll see from there.

Favorite panel:

 

Book of the week: The Wake #1