Just some random 4th!

I love this guy...he is so talented!

Minority Reports

They thought it was over and done with, but racial ignorance and proof that the election of Barack Obama means that we have entered a “post racial” society is a myth continue to raise their head in the most unlikely of places. My four color fantasy place, the land of comic books.


Dwayne McDuffie is a writer, director, producer and personal hero of mine. He is living my dream as a comic book writer. He was also the co-founder of the Milestone comic book company which focused on original characters who were largely characters of color. One of his characters was even picked up for a Kids WB cartoon series “Static Shock”.


For the last two years Dwayne has been the writer of one of DC comics flagship book Justice League of America. The JLA is the group that on the average of twice a month save the world, the universe, even sometimes the whole of creation. Most of your DC A listers including but not limited to Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, and Green Lantern (all of whom either have movies out or in the making). Justice League has been interpreted into a not picked up live action Tv show, and several cartoons including Super Friends. All of this to say that in the world of comic geeks and DC the Justice League is a big deal and DC does not just pick a name out of a hat at random to write there big time books.


So on one of the comics sights Newsarama, Dwayne posted a preview of his upcoming final issue. Some of the comments made left me speechless.


“…how many blacks did McDuffie manage to sneak onto the team this time–five? (I bet DC editorial gave him the same order as Burger King in that lawsuit–to “lighten things up around here.”)”


“Why don’t they call this the “Minority League”? ”


“I don’t think anyone will support an original black “mainstream” character. I know I won’t.”


"Couldn't they get Static, Black Lightning, or one of his daughters instead of Dr. Light on the cover of BET League of America? Ha!"


And my personal favorite…….


“Maybe they should establish a separate league for all the negro superheroes. I’m not saying kick them ALL off. One would be okay. (Doesn’t Hollywood have some kind of law that says every movie has to have at least one black in it?) I just think they’re going overboard with all this diversity stuff. I mean, how many comics do minorities read anyway?”


Yeah that last one bothers me more than any of the other comments ( and that whole All Negro superhero comment comes close I mean really NEGRO??????)


It is very difficlult for me to understand that when one of the most popular comic book properties right now is the X-Men franchise, a continuing story about a group of people that have spent the entire lives being discriminated against for no reason other than they were born different that this kind of ignorant and racism can raise it’s head.


So for the record all you sheet wearing geeks, much like anything else geekdom comes in all colors and creeds. Yes minorities read and yes they read comics. And yes we like to see people like ourselves in those books.


Oh and no there is no “rule” that you must include one black in a movie, blacks, browns, yellows, pinks, etc are all part of this country and all have stories to tell. It is not like there is not a need after all, most of the incarnations of the JLA have been a little all white.

Today's Favorite Photo

Upcoming x-Men 511

Today's Favorite Photo

Combining two of my favorites!

Today's Favorite Photo

Watchmen opens with a 55 million dollar weekend! And they better not make a sequel!!!!!!

Tuesdays Invitation!

Rachel Maddow was raised in Castro Valley, California. She is a radio show and political television host best known for the shows named after her.

About two years ago I got hooked on “Countdown with Keith Olbermann”. The show presented news in a way that was both instructional and entertaining and it became a regular staple in my nightly watching. One night Keith was on vacation and I was introduced to a very plucky and nervous Rachel Maddow. She was a little shaky and she tried a little too hard to be “Keith” but I was endeared to her just the same. As time went on and she made more guest appearances she found her own footing and her own path, I am happy it was televised and I was along for the ride. A few of her endearing qualities is that first all this woman is wicked smart. I mean nobody calls her Dr. Maddow but, they probably should, she is a Rhode Scholar and has earned a doctorate in Political Science from the University of Oxford. What I really love about her is that she is a self proclaimed geek and keeps by her bedside a stack of comic books. Oh yeah, and she is openly gay.

So Rachel Maddow please accept this invitation to the Dinner party of the year. Your opinion, your geekiness, and your smarts are more than welcome!

DC comics give 2009 to the Women

Anyone who has read comics on the Semi-regular basis over the last few years has come to recognize that the big two, Marvel and DC, are addressing the severe lack of diversity that the silver age clearly lacked.

The two most recent changes over at DC are the introduction of Super Woman and the Graduation of Bat Woman to her own book.

Batwoman was reintroduced almost two years ago during the “Infinite Crisis” company wide storyline. She made some appearances after a huge hype machine but never really found a home. Well with the current Batman RIP storyline Batman has disappeared from Gotham and is supposedly dead. So Kath Kane, wealth socialite by day and high heeled crime buster by night, will be starring in Detective comics for at least 12 issues.

Over in Superman the earth just fought of an invasion of Kryptonians (don’t ask) and all these super survivors have taken up residence on a planet in opposite orbit of Earth on the dark side of the moon (I told you don’t ask). One of the Kryptonians has decided t that is to turn traitor against her people and work with the governments of Earth to develop plans to fight off a Kryptonian invasion (I keep saying don’t ask!!). We know it’s not Super girl but that is pretty much all we know about her at this point.

Regardless of how I feel about the storylines it is good to see actually “Women” being thrown into the spotlight and not just “girls”.

Wonder Woman will still be Wonder Woman!!!

Today's Favorite Photo

Commander in Geek!!!!!

Tuesdays Invitation!

Andy Mangels was born and raised in Montana. He is best known as a writer for comics, science fiction, and cartoon related material. He is also a huge Wonder Woman fan.




I have to say I really admire Andy Mangels. He has been asked for his opinion and made a part of his living on giving the history and his feelings on cartoons that people of my generation grew up with. He has written and directed documentaries or special commentary for DVD releases such as He-Man ,She-Ra, Isis, Ghostbusters, and Star Trek just to name a few. He has also written or co written books for several Star Trek and other pop culture properties. In addition to his writing he is a gay activist giving of himself to many charities and worth causes. He has even run in a couple of International Mr. Leather contest. For any grown kid like me he is a true inspiration.


So Andy Mangels please accept this invitation to the Dinner party of the year. Your opinion, your diversity, and your pop culture geekdom knowledge are more than welcome! (I will be expecting you to wear the Wonder Woman shirt!)

Today's Favorite Photo

Barack is apparently not only my Superhero....