As Promised!

I know I said tomorrow, but shoot me for being a little early for once.

I want to talk about 2 things that have caught my attention, short as it is (oooh look a kitty! whoops).

First up is BLACKEST NIGHT. Now, there has been much discussion and dissection of this event since it was announced last year. We are now 2 issues into the main series with one mini wrapped up and another 2 either starting or about to bow. Over the years the phrase "you only have to read the main storyline" has become one of the great lies in the comic universe. Both Marvel and DC have been guilty of this and the maddening lateness of books for the "event of the year" books and it has left many a sour taste in both mouths and wallets. So far, and it has been only a month and a half, DC has kept on pace with their checklist and not overselling this event. By that I mean, they realize it's going to be a hit so they don't have to either cut into main books or overdo the ancillary minis. A huge plus for DC is that they have no plans (at least that I'm aware of) to take this into the main DCU books.The "Tales of the Corps" was a quick 3 issue that you really didn't have to read, unless you wanted to get to know some the players in the other Corps. The timing of the issues has also been very good (again, so far). The day BLACKEST NIGHT #2 drops, BLACKEST NIGHT: BATMAN comes out as well and offers a really cool companion to BN. Again, you don't have to read it if you don't want to, but it is well written by Peter Tomasi. He has been tackling a version of Batman with the OUTSIDERS book and the art by Ardian Syaf is in the Kubert / Morales vein, which works for me.
As for the main story, this is Geoff Johns masterpiece. He has been working toward this for well over 2 years now. Carefully laying down piece after piece until it all comes to a head. So far, the story has more than lived up to the hype. More often than not, that is what eventually kills the "event". It has been hyped to the roof and expectation get raised so that if that first issue doesn't automatically grab you, it's deemed a failure. The first issue did more than that. It actually raised the bar. You see Black Lanterns brought to life and what they do to the living. You have deaths in both issues that actually mean something. It has been a long time since there was a book that I couldn't wait to read, and read it again and again to savor it. This is it. To call this a page turner is like calling the Mona Lisa a nice painting of a broad. I only hope that Ivan Reis (the artist) keeps up what has been stellar artwork over the course of the main book. After this, he should be given any assignment he wants to keep him at DC.

For my second review/ comments, I'm heading into the world of Television. I have found most commercial TV to be really boring or predictable. Reality TV just sucks canal water for me. However, there was an appearance that made me sit up say wow. BBC America recently aired the season of "TORCHWOOD:CHILDREN OF EARTH" over 5 nights. In a row. That's right, a 5 night "event" that constituted a season. To say it was gripping is underselling it. Now, before I get into this, I feel compelled to say that I had watched TORCHWOOD only on occasion and only because JR (my late brother-in-law) badgered me about it from time to time. I had seen the preview for this and with a mix of sadness (about not being able to talk with him about it) and excitedness I watched this. I was totally blown away. If this is the end of the series, it did it in magnificent fashion. I am convinced that Russell T. Davies is the best science fiction writer on television anywhere right now. He did a terrific job constructing a "series" that had enough twists and turns to satisfy a rollercoaster junkie. And while this was a "science fiction" story, it hits with some real and genuine emotion. I really don't want to give anything away, I would hope that you either go and get this on DVD or find it maybe in an "on demand" section. Trust me on this. If you love a great story of aliens, family, love and loss, and the choices that we have to make in life to get to another day, this will not disappoint. You will come away saddened that this show (at least for now) has gone away probably to never return. It will inspire you (hopefully) to seek out the first 2 seasons to learn more about this show and why it works on so many levels.

OK, I know that these technically may not constitute as reviews since I didn't go into specifics. So sue me. I don't like giving plots away to people. I want to find out for myself if something blows or blows me away. So, if reading these got you off your butt and out to either your local comic shop or DVD store, than I consider that a job well done.

Catch you later! =P