Stargate Universe, the drama, the nuances

The Cast

Andy Mikita (director) / Brad Wright, Robert C. Cooper (screenplay)

Robert Carlyle … Dr. Nicholas Rush

Justin Louis … Col.Everett Young

Lou Diamond Phillips … Col. David Telford

Brian J. Smith … Matthew Scott

Elyse Levesque … Chloe Armstrong

David Blue … Eli Wallace

Alaina Huffman … Tamara Johansen

Jamil Walker Smith … Ronald Greer

Patrick Gilmore … Dale Volker

Julia Anderson … Vanessa James

Peter Kelamis ... Adam Brody

Jennifer Spence … Lisa Park

Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman … Darren Becker

Ming-Na … Camile Wray

Overall I like the SGU, didn't set my expectations high and can't say I was disappointed. The characters all have potential and I like the fact that the ship isn't chocked with ancient technology (that we know of thus far) to make their journey easy. Given that this ship was probably built before ZPM tech there really is no reason to expect a ton of ancient tech being discovered onboard; however, this is probably the bridge between current tech available on earth and what the ancients had before they ascended. Could definitely be a sign of things to come when the expedition makes contact with earth in a few years and shares technology or sees what's been developed since. Also I don't think it's far fetched to presume that since the ancients sent ships out to seed planets with stargates that the Ori may have done the same. Not that I'd like to see the Ori show up in SGU but I won't be surprised by it. Predictions: The SGT who was in the suspended from duty is totally parellel to Lt. Ford from SGA, the relationship between Dr. Rush and the Col. is going to be identical to that between Jack and Daniel in the first few seasons of SG-1, the IOA representative is going to try to seize control of the expedition and in all likelihood endanger everyone. Let's hope the writers don't mess this up and it lasts more than 4 seasons. As a side note....I don't recall Samantha wearing makeup and having earrings on whilst on duty.....did anyone else notice that?

Rating: PENDING FUTURE PERFORMANCE

Recession

It's Sunday and really I should be in church, but I woke up feeling ULTRA lazy. You know, the day before Monday, beginning of the work week type of stuff. I just caught the last 15 minutes of a show on Current (Dish channel 196). Two very young and seemingly freelance journalists traveled to Argentina to chronicle how they've dealt with life after their recession in 2001. Argentina's recession was caused by a collapsed banking system. In that recession people lost all their savings, and by extension all trust in their banks. As shown in the interview some Argentinians now store their money in their homes/apartments. Another result of this is that big ticket purchases are conducted in cash.
I was pleasantly surprised to see how innovative and optimistic Argentinians have been. Workers laid off from bankrupt plants banded together to restart those bankrupt plants under their own stewardship. What's interesting is that there is no managerial structure. All decisions and profits are split amongst all workers. I absolutely think this is great, sort of socialist but great never the less. It has been working and from the interview I gather it's a struggle but it's working.
There are also barter clubs where people can come to barter their services for things they need. It is not limited to only those laid off since professionals and lawyers also barter their services there. Even clothes and utensils are traded. Although these clubs are not as big as they were eight years ago, they still exsist. This is a clear indication that Argentinians have adjusted their way of life. Americans can learn from this.
This documentary concluded back in America (San Francisco to be precise) showing unemployment support groups which have formed as a result of the recession. The closing credits showed those laid off saying "thank you recession..." and stating what they're thanking the recession for. I would like to say "Thank you recession for giving me the motivation to switch careers"

Batman: Going Sane

Writer: J.M. DeMatteis
Penciller: Joe Staton
Inker: Steve Mitchell
Letterer: Willie Schubert
Colorist: Digital Chameleon
Published by DC Comics 2008

The Joker finally succeeds in killing the Batman (or so he thinks) then proceeds to pursue a normal life. Can you honestly believe that? The Joker living as us plebs, inlove, WORKING, settling into a daily routine. I'll admit the story was a good read. I was absolutely engrossed in the Joker's new life and new love (aside from himself). What stood out the most is his battle to remain normal. One also realizes how much the Joker's story revolves around his nemesis the Batman. Without is counterpart the Joker really serves no purpose in the DC Universe (speaking of which he's an absolute riot in Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe....try it!).
As Joseph Kerr, the Joker dives head first into the life of a regular person. He by chance falls inlove, lives off the inheritance his parents left for him (ummmm maybe that's not so plausable but I'll run with it), and is quite the romantic. He even proposes to his love Rebecca Brown on several occassions. Joseph Kerr constantly battles and subdues his alternate personality which is an ever-present reminder of his psychotic side. It's also a reminder that he is a deeply disturbed individual. I'm surprised he managed to remain "sane" for as long as he did.
The Batman's side of the story on the other hand was quite dull. Nothing about him being dead and lost in a town 200 miles north of Gotham City for six plus weeks stood out. Of the two, Batman's story was quite boring unfortunately. Of course he's taken in and cared for by a beautiful and successful female doctor, and of course he remains a mystery. Astonishingly enough she does not even recognize him as billionaire Bruce Wayne. Bruce finds a peacefullness that he's longed for since his parents' murder; however, he remains obsessed with finding the Joker. I'm tempted to say that Batman is more obsessed with the Joker than the Joker is with Batman. Eventually Batman returns to Gotham City, the daily news gets wind of this which in turn makes its way back to Joseph Kerr. The really unfortunate part of this string of events is that this news reaches Joseph the day before his wedding and oh my does he flip! He also leaves the love of his life to pursue his nemesis.
I have to say the old school Sunday comics art used in Batman: Going Sane was quite appropriate. It's a break from the usual art I tend to read but it in no way detracts from the story being told. I ws taken back to being nine years old and harassing my mother for the comics section of the Sunday Guardian. Overall I enjoyed Batman: Going Sane and I'd highly recommend it as a Sunday read. Preferrably sitting in your sunroom with the breeze whicking through.

Batman: Going Sane
Rating: 4 1/2 of 5 Jewel of the Demon Seals

Eternals: To Slay A God

ETERNALS: TO SLAY A GOD
Cover: Daniel Acuna
Writer: Charles Knauf, Daniel Knauf
Pencils: Daniel Acuna, Pascal Alixe

If you read my previous ETERNALS post then this should be no surprised to you. The Horde is approaching earth, the sleeping Celestial has been awoken, and the Eternals are facing a civil war. ETERNALS: TO SLAY A GOD has all the makings of a great story and it does not disappoint at all. I am delighted that Jack Kirby's ETERNALS have been revived, and is being told in such a great way.
As usual the art work is exactly what I typically go for; however, the "end of chapter" notices as I call them really caught my attention. They reminded me of the classic Spider-Man comics I read as a kid because the brief comments are humorous. Picture watching the 1970's BATMAN tv series and hearing "join us next week, same Bat-Time, same Bat-channel" the seeing the screen whirl out of an into another scene with Batman and the boy wonder in imminent danger. That's how the end of chapter notices come across. You have to love the clever editorial behind this. At least I appreciate it.
What's also interesting about TO SLAY A GOD is the inveitable war amongst the Eternals themselves, the Horde, and the Celestials. The interesting twist that explains why one Celestial was left sleeping on earth is BRILLIANT. Also the watcher who has interveined in earth's affiars 300 plus some odd times seemed out of place in some regard. I couldn't help but wonder what his purpose is in relation to the Celestials, the Fulcrum, and the otehr cosmic beings in the universe. Oddly enough the watcher remided me of the Guardians from The Green Lantern. All we're missing now is a corps of super heroes with power rings!!! This is a must read if you're intrigued buy super heroes grounded in the Marvel universe, but who don't share the typical Marvel super heroe traist. You know, human with some augmented genes, accidental abilities, or power suits.

ETERNALS: TO SLAY A GOD
Rating: 4 out of 5 Demon Seals

Caprica

Caprica
Publisher: Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Executive Producers: Ronald D. Moore, David Eick
Director: Jeffrey Reiner
Cast: Eric Stoltz (Daniel Greystone), Alessandra Toreson (Zoe Greystone), Paula Malcomson (Amanda Greystone), Esai Morales (Joseph Adama/Adams), Anna Galvin (Shannon Adama/Adams), Genevieve Buechner (Tamara Adama/Adams), Sasha Roiz (Sam Adama), Magda Apanowicz (Lacy Rand), Avan Jogia (Ben Stark), Brian Markinson (Jordan Duram), Polly Walker (Sister Clarice Willow)

Caprica is set 58 years before the first Cylon wars and the second coming (the fall of the twelve colonies). Both the Greystones and Adamas are intertwined in the eventual creation of the Cylon (Cybernetic Lifeform Node) race. What draws these two families together (Daniel Greystone and Joseph Adama) is the mutual loss of their loved ones in a terrorist train bombing. Joseph looses his wife and daughter and Daniel looses his beloved Zoe. Zoe is a chip off the old block and has surpassed her father's brilliance in computer programming and cybernetic cognitive linking. Simply put, she's discovered the link between a downloadable human mind and a cybernetic body. This is what her father eventually discovers when he first interfaces her virtual copy with the Cylon Centurion he's been working on for military purposes.
ANY and I mean ANY fan of the Battlestar Galactic series WILL and rightfully should love this impending Caprica series. From the straight to DVD pilot (G-ds know why Moore/Eick/Sci-Fi (SyFy) did this but that's another frakkin' post!!!!) it's clear that the series will be just as intriguins as is predicessor. A lot was answered in the pilot and I can only intelligently speculate as to the origins of the Cylon wars. (now it doesn't seem as simple as the Cylons rebelling) What's even more interesting is the link between the Daybreak part 1 & 2 and the pilot of Caprica. The dessidence and moral decent are very evident and ooooh how swee it is to know this will be a balance drama/science fiction series. Moore's twenty plus years of experience in this field is really showing and I for one expect him to deliver another hit series. After all he did end BSG prematurely!!!! (still peeved about that). Caprica is slated to premier on the SyFy channel during the spring of 2010. In the meantime look for Battlestar Galactica: The Plan dvd release during the fall of 2009. Damn they keep feeding us the crack, what are we supposed to do?!!!

X-Men Legacy: Sins of the Father

Cover: Ken Lashley
Writer: Mike Carey
Pencils: Scot Eaton
Publisher: Marvel Publishing, Inc.

Though brief, SINS OF THE FATHER is an interesting tale. Sinister (otherwise known as Nathaniel Essex)has built a "Cronus" machine which allows him to transfer his consciousness to another body. (You know, named after Cronus. The Titan who devoured his children to become immortal) As simple as that sounds it's really not. Back in the 1940's Sinister put into effect a plan that would allow him to be reborn in another body. How did he do this? By writing his DNA onto that of selected mutant children. One such unfortunate child was Charles Xavier, otherwise known as Professor Xavier, leader of the X-Men.
Sinister's plan is flawed in that he fore-sakes the first immortal mutant he met in favor of younger mutants. He does this because they stand a better chance of surviving, besides this mutant's only ability is immortality. She still ages and is hideous looking. It's hard to imagine how beautiful she may have once looked. The teaming up of Gambit and Sebastian Shaw to save Professor Xavier from Sinister's mind control is plausable idea; however, the team could have been better chosen. Shaw's raw power and Gambit's ability to generate power add to the story but it would have been alot more interesting if different mutants were chosen. Ultimately Gambit and Shaw are able to destroy the Cronos machine and free Xavier from Sinister's grips.
As always the artwork is what I personally like; however the plot could be more indepth. As part of the X-Men Legacy, SINS OF THE FATHER was an otherwise ok read.

X-Men Legacy: Sins of The Father
Rating: 2 1/2 Demon Seals

The Invinvible Ironman: The Five Nightmares

Cover: Joe Quesada
Writer: Matt Fraction
Pencils: Salvador Larroca
Publisher: Marvel Comics

Who doesn't love IRON MAN, really who doesn't?! In the Five Nightmares The Invincible IRON MAN reveals to us (the reader) what haunts his dreams and is apart of his waking thoughts. So let me cut to the chase, IRON MAN's fifth nightmare is that HE is not the creator or the IRON MAN 2.0 suit. One of his psychopathic enemies is. What's more troubling is that version 2.0 is made from old Stark parts salvaged from the black market trade. This frakkin' story is interesting and comical on some level. The lovely Pepper Potts, ooooh what can I say. CHECK pages 22-23. If only such things happened in reality.
We all know (or should know) Tony Stark is remarkebly intelligent, wealthy and self righteous (seemingly a common trait amongst wealthy super heroes). He's also Tony Stark director of S.H.I.E.L.D. which is a conflict, especially since he refuses to share the technology that makes his IRON MAN suit possible. I have to say that by keeping such technology to himself Tony Stark ensures that he, in the event that he's ever removed of as director of S.H.I.E.L.D., is in no danger of being compromised because he shared the IRON MAN technology. Aside from that The Five Nightmares is an ok story. It could have been alot more indepth and the villian most certainly could have contributed more to the storyline. Needless to say his character was weak.
The Five Nightmares' most noticeable features...the art work! As you all know I'm partial to a certain type of art (the non-traditional comic type) and I found it in this week's read. At times I felt as though I were actually watching a cartoon in hi-definition, and that's what seems to ais some graphic novels lately. The story line should have been revised a few times and a few twists should have been added.

The Invincible IRON MAN: The Five Nightmares
Rating: 2 1/2 Demon Seals