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Cory!! Strode On Graphic Novels
X-Men
The most popular comic book of the past 25 years has been the X-Men. Most people know it from the two big budget movies, or the cartoon from the early 90's, but since around 1982, the X-Men has outsold Superman, Batman and Spider-Man consistently. If you were to go into a comic shop and look on the shelf, at least one third of the comics put out by Marvel would be an X-Men title or feature a character spun off from that series. This is a huge change from when the "New X-Men" started in the mid 70's. The X-Men wasn't a big success during the 60's comics boom, and was canceled due to poor sales. In 1975, Marvel wanted to have a comic that would sell well overseas, so they commissioned Len Wein as writer and Dave Cockrum as artist and character designer to re-start the X-Men as a group of international characters. It started slowly, first as a quarterly book (Giant Sized X-Men), then as a bi-monthly, and finally in 1978 it became a monthly comic and slowly gained in sales under the team of Chris Claremont writing and John Byrne drawing the comic until their "Death of the Phoenix" story line that killed long-time character Jean Gray brought the comic to number one in sales.
However, if you were to pick up a random issue of one the X-Men comics, you'd be plunged into a soap opera that has been running for years, and be overwhelmed by the number of characters and complexity of their origins.
For example, one of the newer X-Men related series features the popular character Cable. Cable is the son of Cyclops and a clone of Jean Gray who was, after being infected with a mechanical virus from an alien race, sent into the far future where he was raised by his sister from an alternate future timeline as well as Cyclops and Jean Gray when they were sent to that alternate future suffering from amnesia. He then returned to the present, not knowing he was the child of Scott Summers, was a member of a secret spy organization run by Nick Fury (who fought in WWII) and worked on a number of missions with Wolverine when he was a secret agent. And if THAT doesn't make your head spin, there are stories that have said that most of that back history are false memories, and they haven't sorted out which ones are true and which ones aren't.
So, if you want to grab something because you liked the X-Men movies and want to read more, you could get very lost, very fast and end up putting the books back on the shelf and move on to something a little less confusing, like Geo-political stressors on international monetary rates.
Thankfully, I'm here to give you a few quick suggestions, because there is a reason that the X-Men has been so popular for so long. Under all of the soap opera confusion, there are some very good stories.
One way to get caught up cheaply are the 5 "Essential X-Men" volumes. Each one reprints up to 30 issues of the comic in a row in black and white, on cheap paper for about $15 a volume. The first reprints the origin of the X-Men that most people know and their earliest adventures. It has the raw energy of two creators looking to make their mark on comics in Chris Claremont and Dave Cockrum, but reads as a very dated book, with faux Stan Lee narration addressing the reader ("What's that? You'll have to wait 'til next issue, because we're getting back to the action"), but is a good way to get where the characters came from. The next three volumes, 2 through 4, are the glory years of the X-Men. Claremont brought a literacy to his soap opera, and he worked with a series of artists at their peak that made the stories slick, exciting and fun to read. Any of these volumes are highly recommended, and show the spirit of the X-Men that that movie captured.
The latest collection, Volume 5, shows how the X-Men collapsed under their own weight. Reprinting stories from the mid 80's, Claremont's storytelling quirks overwhelm the positive aspects. Sub-plots are begun and forgotten, characters are put through horrible tortures, including a two part story where Manhattan is taken over by a wizard from the Conan comic book, the entire island is reverted to sword and sorcery times, and the opening of the second part of the story shows Spider-Man whipped and beaten for simple shock value.
For more modern X-Men comics, there are two that stand head and shoulders above the vast sea of trade paperback reprinting convoluted story arcs. The first is a series of three hardcovers entitled "The New X-Men", written by Grant Morrison and drawn by a number of talented artists. Morrison took over the X-Men comic and decided to break with the endless soap opera aspect of the book to go back to the core of its concept: Mutants protecting a world that hates and fears them. He wrote the comic for three years, and each volume reprints a year's worth of material for $30 in an impressive hardcover. Morrison uses the visual look of the X-Men movies, takes long running ideas to innovative conclusions, puts some of the most original ideas in the comic that it has ever seen and writes stories that will stay with you long after you close the comic. For a super-hero fan, it isn't any better than this, and creates a comic that gives the feel of a blockbuster movie with a literary edge.
The other X-Men comic that stands above the other books on the shelf was X-Statics. Spinning out of X-Force, it was the story that other creators have said they want to tell, but always got bogged down if the fight scenes and company crossovers: If super-heroes were in the modern world, they would be celebrities with agents, TV appearances and tabloid exploits. The first volume, X-Force: A New Beginning got a positive review in the New York Times Review Of Books. Peter Milligan writes a story that is incredibly cynical and is such a subtle satire of our celebrity culture and an examination of pop culture that most readers of the comic (which had been a series about teenage X-Men) were confused by the switch. Mike Allred's 60's style art only heightens the story by making it look like a comic might have published while they were in the "Pop Art" phase. Any reader of Bartcop will appreciate the endless attacks on media manipulation that is the underlying core of the comic. On the surface, a violent super-hero comic, this shows that you can do more with comics than just have hero fight villain.
Cory!! Strode (The Best Dressed Man In Comics) has written comic books, novels, jokes for comedians, Op Ed columns, the on-line comic strip
www.Asylumon5thstreet.com and has all kinds of things on his website
www.solitairerose.com
"President" Bush on Osama Bin Laden
"I want justice. And there's an old poster out West, I recall, that says, 'Wanted: Dead or Alive.'" [09/17/01]
"I don't know where he is.You know, I just don't spend that much time on him... I truly am not that concerned about him." [3/13/02]
Purple Gene Reviews
'Real Time with Bill Maher'
Purple Genes' Review of Alan Simpson and Andrew Sullivan on the final episode of Real Time with Bill Maher on HBO:
This was truly a mind-boggling episode of "Real Time with Bill Maher" - and the season closer as well!!!
Vile and vicious bile billowed from Alan Simpsons' ASS from the minute they lowered him down on the satellite screen! He launched into vindictive and vacuous accusations -I mean completely baffling comments that made Bill Maher look totally bewildered - like perporting that his state of Wyoming (he's a former senator from Wyoming) was actually in the forefront of Gay Right because "Matthew Shepard was murdered in Wyoming"!!! Holy shit and people of the state were "Offended" - Then he launched into a truly mean-spirited attack at Bill Maher for making fun of the small town people that live there......Then, when innocently asked by Bill "Why do you think the Democrats lost this election to George Bush?????" - the former senator, who claims to be "Progressive" attempted to reprimand and ridicule Bill and every single Democrat for cynically and snottilly sniggering at the small town red state masses that voted George Bitch back into office..... This guy was angry offensive and off the mark - Fuck You Alan Simpson - you righteous PRICK!!!
Andrew Sullivan took over.........this guy is from Uranus - I mean way out there - completely inconsistent and yet ardent remarks that made me think he was a "Log Cabin" Republican with a log up his ass and then he came off as a confused and reluctant Kerry supporter who was indignant about the Democrats Behavior! It was the same theme as Alan Simpson - Democrats really fucked up and now the Red States - the bastion of the little man - have stood up and collectively chastised the liberal elite!!!! Fuck You Andrew - you confused cosksucker.........
After everyone (DL Hughley and Pat Schroeder were on the panel too) watched Noam Chomsky via satellite chastise the Bush administrations' pre-emptive war in Iraq as illegal and subject to WAR CRIMES......the little BITCH Andrew started back in on Chomsky for "Bilking the Country for millions by criticizing US Policy" on speaking tours.......I had a hard time following any logic from either Alan Simpson or Andrew Sullivan...I guess it felt like passive aggressive pricks saying "I told you so"........The end of the show left me in DISMAY....(Like Richard Belzer calling Ann Coulter a "Fascist Party Doll") ....ASSHOLE Andrew, after the show was over, while shaking hands and saying goodbye to Bill and the Panel started grabbing his OWN ASS!!!!! I was yelling at the screen "Andrew...go fuck yourself" and there he was caressing his confused ASS!!!!...What a way to end a great season for HBO!!!!!!!
Purple Gene gives Alan and Andrew 10 ass wipes out of 10 for showing the world how full of shit they both are!!!
Purple Gene
Selected Readings
from that Mad Cat, JD
In The Chaos Household
Last Night
Overcast but no rain.
Films Ineligible
Golden Globes
They may have triggered controversy and packed theaters, but two of the year's hottest films -- "The Passion of the Christ" and "Fahrenheit 9/11" -- have been ruled ineligible for one of Hollywood's top prizes.
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which on Jan. 16 hands out the Golden Globes, an important precursor to the Oscars, said on Tuesday its rules bar "Passion" from consideration for the group's best drama category and "Fahrenheit" from being eligible for any award, including best drama.
The group said "Fahrenheit," Michael Moore's searing denunciation of resident Bush and the Iraq war, was ineligible because it is a documentary and the Foreign Press Association does not give awards to documentaries.
"Passion," Mel Gibson's movie about the death of Jesus filmed in Aramaic and Latin, did not qualify for the best drama award because that category is limited to English-language films.
Golden Globes
Calls For US Troops To Leave Iraq
Madonna
US pop star Madonna made a rare foray into politics, calling for her home country to withdraw its troops from Iraq during an interview with British radio.
"I just don't want American troops to be in Iraq, period," she said on BBC Radio.
"My feelings are 'can we just all get out?'," said the 46-year-old star, who lives mainly in London with British film director husband Guy Ritchie, who said she believes the US-led war will not help in the fight against terrorism.
On other subjects, the singer said the recent US presidential election had illustrated how US society was "becoming very divided".
"People are becoming very polarized," she said. "We have people who don't want to think, and who just want to guard what is theirs, and they're selfish and limited in their thinking and they're very fearful in their choices."
Madonna
2005 Reunion
Cream
Vintage rock trio Cream will reunite for a string of shows next year at London's Royal Albert Hall, sources tell Billboard.
The group -- guitarist/vocalist Eric Clapton, drummer Ginger Baker and bassist Jack Bruce -- played its final shows at Albert Hall before splintering in November 1968. Cream has not performed together since its 1993 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Billboard understands that the trio will begin rehearsals after the first of the year, with an eye on a weeklong run of gigs at Albert Hall. It is unknown if plans call for additional shows in other parts of the world. A spokesperson for Clapton had no comment.
Cream
Side Exhibits Open
Clinton Library
The founder of Wal-Mart was willing to support Bill Clinton's run for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination - but not his effort to unseat Republican President George H. Bush - according to a letter never before released to the public.
The letter from Sam Walton, founder and chairman of Bentonville-based Wal-Mart Stores Inc., who died in 1995, is included in an exhibit dedicated to the famous "Friends of Bill" - or "FOBs" - as the city prepares for the Nov. 18 opening of the Clinton Presidential Library.
When Clinton was elected president a year later, his Arkansas friends may have felt he had big shoes to fill. But as an exhibit in the Statehouse Convention Center shows, only one of his predecessors needed bigger footwear than Clinton.
Nashville shoemaker Johnston & Murphy has made shoes for every U.S. president since Millard Fillmore in the 1850s, and Abraham Lincoln's size 14 is the only pair larger than Clinton's size 13C.
Clinton Library
Visits Ethiopia to Study AIDS
Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt spent four days in Ethiopia to learn more about AIDS in Africa as part of a fund-raising campaign to combat the disease on the world's poorest continent.
The trip was organized by DATA, a Washington-based lobby group co-founded by rock star Bono that campaigns on Third World trade, debt and HIV/AIDS. Pitt began his first visit to Ethiopia Friday and left late Monday night.
While in Ethiopia, Pitt visited local projects fighting the spread of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. The 40-year-old actor also met with eight top Ethiopian singers who have collaborated on songs to educate people about HIV and to raise money for AIDS programs.
Brad Pitt
U.S. Court Upholds Musical Sampling
Beastie Boys
A U.S. appeals court has handed a victory to pioneering punk-rap group the Beastie Boys in a dispute over the growing musical practice of sampling, in which recording artists incorporate snippets of other songs into their own work.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined on Tuesday to reconsider its decision last year allowing the group to use a six-second segment of music from jazz flutist James Newton's 1978 composition "Choir."
A three-judge panel of the court held in 2003 that the band had abided by copyright protections by paying a license fee for a sample of Newton's recording and therefore did not have to pay an additional fee to license the underlying composition.
That finding upheld a lower-court dismissal of the case in favor of the Beastie Boys, and the 9th Circuit on Tuesday refused to reconsider its ruling before a larger 11-judge panel.
Beastie Boys
Stars Get Tills Ringing
'Popera'
Classical purists mocked when violinist Vanessa Mae emerged from the sea in a wet T-shirt to publicize her album.
But now even Luciano Pavarotti has recorded Italian pop songs and the big labels are constantly looking out for the next singer to bridge the gap between classical and pop.
In an industry battling to keep its head above water, "crossover" is big business.
Traditionalists may bridle at the hyped pop packaging of classical stars like Bond and the Opera Babes, but marketing departments have a sharp eye on sales and Post-War "baby boomers" are now buying big.
'Popera'
Mourners Gather
Theo van Gogh
Hundreds of mourners gathered outside a crematorium as a funeral service got under way for controversial Dutch director Theo van Gogh, killed by a suspected Islamic radical in an attack that has shocked traditionally tolerant Dutch society and fueled ethnic tensions.
Only about 150 people -- relatives and close friends of the deceased -- were allowed inside the building while outside hundreds watched the proceedings on giant screens.
The service was also broadcast live on Dutch NOS public television.
Van Gogh, 47, was shot and stabbed a week ago on November 2 while cycling near his home in Amsterdam. His suspected killer, Mohammed Bouyeri, was arrested shortly afterwards.
Theo van Gogh
Ends Marriage With Todd Meister
Nicky Hilton
It's splitsville in Sin City. Hotel heiress Nicky Hilton and New York businessman Todd Andrew Meister have officially ended their brief marriage.
A Las Vegas judge on Tuesday granted the newlyweds an annulment, according to a joint statement issued by the couple's representatives.
Nicky Hilton
Says School Work Is Rough
Tommy Lee
Former Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee said he's finding his experience at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to be a lot of work.
In a news conference Sunday, Lee said he loves horticulture, but finds chemistry to be unbelievably hard.
Another shock: Learning he had to wake at 6 a.m. to be at Memorial Stadium for drum practice with school's band.
Lee, 42, is attending classes and activities during the filming of an NBC reality show, "Tommy Lee Goes to College." Filming began in early October.
Tommy Lee
Her Name Was Trudie...
'Copacabana'
The "Copacabana" has a new showgirl. Songwriters Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman agreed to rewrite the 1978 Grammy award-winning song to reflect the winner of an auction aimed at raising money for the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.
The winning bid of $150,000 was donated anonymously in the name of Sting's wife, Trudie Styler. The song's lyric will now say "Her name was Trudie, she was a showgirl..." Manilow is planning to rerecord the song but no date has been set.
'Copacabana'
Slaps Assistant with Countersuit
Liza Minnelli
Entertainer Liza Minnelli filed a breach-of-contract suit on Tuesday against her longtime personal assistant after he reportedly accused the performer last month of beating him during alcohol-fueled rampages.
Minnelli's two-page complaint, filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, seeks at least $250,000 in damages and a court order against her former chauffeur, confidant and companion, M'hammed Soumayah.
Soumayah, 56, filed suit against Minnelli last month in a case that was immediately sealed by a judge. But his attorney was quoted in media accounts then as saying that Soumayah claimed to have been repeatedly assaulted by his former employer when she was drunk, and that he was seeking money damages.
Liza Minnelli
U.S. Postal Service Unveils Stamp
Ronald Reagan
A stamp honoring former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, who died June 5, was unveiled by the U.S. Postal Service on Tuesday.
The Postal Service typically honors prominent Americans with a stamp no sooner than 10 years after their death, but the Republican will be commemorated just days after his Feb. 6 birthday.
Ronald Reagan
Sadistic Teens Kill Sharks
Long Beach
Four teenagers were arrested for allegedly killing two sharks that were dragged from their aquarium tanks and tortured to death, police said.
The vandals broke into the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach between 6 p.m. Sunday and 9 a.m. Monday when it was closed, police said.
A 3-foot-long nurse shark named Michelle was found dead in bushes near her tank while an 18-inch bamboo shark was tossed onto an exit structure, said Perry Hampton, director of animal husbandry.
Also killed was a cow-nosed ray, a relative of the string ray, which appeared to have been stabbed and pounded with a pole, Hampton said.
The unidentified teens, ages 13 and 14, were caught while allegedly trying to break into the aquarium a second time Monday night, police said. All four were in custody Tuesday night.
Long Beach
