Hello, Greetings, Salutations, Aloha and, er, Kudos? It’s time for another Fun-Size Friday, another chance to go off on all sorts of random tangents, provided that each topic discussed is kept to no more than a hundred words. You may be wondering why I’d impose an arbitrary word limitation on myself. To that I say, what’s the point of writing if you don’t challenge yourself every once in a while? You may also be wondering why I don’t just get a Twitter account, to which I say, well…I don’t want to. Great, now I’m all self-conscious. Let’s move on.
THE “X-MENASSAINCE” CONTINUES
Image Source: Powers of X #2 [Marvel Comics]I know, “X-Men comics again?” What can I say, I am a simple creature. After the previous week focused on a single character, Powers of X #2 gets back to multiple characters over multiple timelines. It’s a pretty standard set-up for Jonathan Hickman at this early stage: lots of characters speaking dramatically while plans are made behind-the-scenes. It’ll read better in the trade, I’m sure. On the art side of things, R.B. Silva‘s pages are a delight, made even better with strong color design by Marte Gracia. Seriously, check out Magneto’s cape here. That is what a super-villain looks like.
AVATAR: THE IMPORTANCE OF ENDINGS
Image Source: The Legend of Korra [Nickelodeon Animation Studio]Aaron Ehasz, the head writer behind Avatar: The Last Airbender, one of my all-time favorite shows, has gotten a lot of attention online recently for discussing his ideas for what a hypothetical fourth season would have looked like. It’s an interesting read, especially for die-hard fans like myself who rave about the show at every available opportunity. The fanboy side of me obviously wants more of the thing I loved growing up, but then again, Avatar already had a pretty great ending. Still, it would’ve been really cool to see Koh The Face Stealer again. Oh well.
HIS GRANDMA COULD
BEAT UP YOUR GRANDMA
Image Source: Once & Future #1 [Boom Studios]This week, Kieron Gillen continues his quest to empty my wallet with the release of Once & Future #1. If you like your comics to be a bit more lighthearted but still have a hint of darkness, this introduction to a modern-day fantasy has got pretty much everything you could ask for, including Bridgette McGuire: monster hunter extraordinaire and top contender for World’s Coolest Fictional Grandma. Brought to life by the one-two knockout punch of artist Dan Mora and colorist Tamra Bonvillain, Once & Future looks to be a fun time, unless everyone suddenly dies in the last issue which…probably won’t happen?
WHATEVER HAPPENED
TO SAMUEL STERNS?
Image Source: The Incredible Hulk [Marvel Studios]I’ve been thinking a lot about The Incredible Hulk movie lately, more specifically the villains. Look, I know we Marvel fans have pretty much decided to pretend like this movie didn’t happen, but it did, and I don’t like loose threads. Like, did you even know Abomination is still alive? That’s a big deal. The Leader was introduced too. That’s, like, a really big deal. Still, it’s been over a decade now and the only thing that’s carried over from that movie is William Hurt as General Ross. That just seems wasteful to me.
THIS ONE IS BASICALLY
“ADULT FANTASY DADS”
Image Source: The White Trees #1 [Image Comics]There’s no other way to say this: Kris Anka draws good looking people. The White Trees #1 — a collaboration between Anka, Chip Zdarsky and Matthew Wilson among others — is acutely aware of this. The thrust of the story is centered around a trio of legendary warriors turned fathers on a quest to save their kids from a dangerous warlord, and basically look really good doing it. Just a heads up for the uninitiated: The White Trees is strictly “M for Mature”, and not for violence. More than just pretty faces, though, this is shaping up to be a genuinely compelling tale.
A FRIENDLY REMINDER THAT
THIS CARTOON IS STILL A THING
I’ve never seen “Batman Ninja”, but based solely on the visuals and just the awkward vibe I get from watching the trailer for it, I’m not exactly in a rush. It’s a shame, obviously, since I can’t think of anything more suited for awesomeness than the idea of “Anime Batman”, but the execution just falls flat for me. I suppose the bar has been raised a bit higher ever since I saw this three-minute short by Wolf Smoke Studios a few years back. I’m no expert or anything, but come on, you gotta admit this looks better.
THE NIGHT IS SHORT
AND I AM BEAT.
Image Source: Shutterstock
I don’t know why I’m constantly surprised when I get to the end of a long work week and find myself completely exhausted, but here I am again, humbled and totally wiped out. Things are looking up though: I’ve got some new Jim Gaffigan comedy to watch, an Invader Zim movie to enjoy, and a few more comics I didn’t have time to read earlier. I hope you make some time for yourself as well, and that we come back next week fully rested and restored. That’s probably not how it’s gonna go, but I can dream.
