Waw, I think for once I have two many comics right now. I certainly have enough to read at least two chapters a night, which I think is pretty cool. Anyway, I read three trades recently of varying quality.
First was Fun Home, which was a very well-written autobiography about the writer/artists relationship with her somewhat dysfunctional family, particularly her father. And not wacky dysfunctional, though not quite depressing dysfunctional. The writer paints a vivid picture of her life with her father, who seemed to be more interested in preserving their house than raising children. The narrator explains that he is now dead in what could have either been an accident or a suicide. There's no way to be certain and evidence really points toward accident, but a suicide is not out of the question since father had been somewhat ostracized by the community for being gay and supposedly having trysts with teenagers (actual evidence really points to him seeing guys in their twenties, and I don't remember it mentioned that he was actually with any teenagers).
The story jumps around in time a lot, but not in a "Hey look, I'm creative" way. It's really more of a "I'm writing based on what I know about my father and it doesn't work in a linear manner" sort of way. The father is really an enigma despite having so much character details given. This is because everyone in this world is complicated. Jerks aren't always jerks, nice people aren't always nice people. The father seemed insensitive in many ways, but he seemed to care about his family in others. But in what way he cared is unsure. There are times he seems shallow and times he seems sincere. He (and the author) always seem to bear bored expressions and I think the author is trying to show that despite some issues she has with her father, they're quite alike (especailly when they can both freely talk to each other about being gay).
Thankfully, this isn't a woe-is-me story, but the fact that the author seems to make book references in every chapter seems mildly pretentious (and I think the author sort of sees herself that way, though she sees even more annoying people who fix their own views and make half-assed assumptions about literary subtext), though it works logically and well in the context of the story, since these are books that shaped her and how she looks at the world. It's an art student thing I guess. Still, while I understand what she's saying when comparing her father to Dedalius, it strikes me as a bit overwrought. Still this is a great book and a very well told life story. But I wouldn't put it at the level of Lious Riel or Maus as a powerfully told comic biography.
Fantastic Four: Books of Doom was a big disappointment, especially after reading volume one of Sleeper a few weeks prior. In fact it didn't need the Fantastic Four title at all seeing as how the FF never show up in any signifigant way (only a few scenes with Reed Richards). The book is supposed to be the life story of the most accomplished, power and beloved tyrant ever, Dr. Doom, but Doom's rise to power is surprisingly boring. It doesn't help that the artist has a rather bland style for this supposedly grandiose story. The writer, Ed Brubaker, has done much better stuff, so I was expecting something... more poetic. This is really sort of criminal
I also get the feeling that Doom was handed a bit too much in this book. He always always struck me as more of a self-made villain rather than someone who got his power because his mother was a sorceress and some monks thought he had a destiny because he face blowed up. Now, the fact that Doom sees flawless in this story makes sense, due to the story's end, but he should also come off as more arrogant (which is one of his few flaws). His final conquest is OK but it really adds nothing new to the character. The big twist at the end seems sort of pointless as well and in no way really effects the nature of the story.
Lastly, the latest volume of Walking Dead was pretty good, but the torture part of the story rivaled Hostel in terms of unpleasantness. I find Robert Kirkman's story-telling is good, but I think that he's even better at making the reader excited about the next story. He's good with the cliffhangers and the setting up interesting subplots. It's not the execution is bad or even a let down in anyway, they just don't pack the same punch as the set ups (though the torture scene was pretty harrowing. Penis violence, even off panel, is owie). Still, great book. Reads a little too quickly though.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Light hand and get away
We messed around with fireworks the other day. F\It was fun far a while, but then we sort of got stuck with some of the less fun explosives that sort of fly off and make a small bang. The best ones are the sticks. You light them and hold them and like wands of power they release colourful fireworks. They're fun to aim at other people's cars (I didn't but two of the people in attendance sort of waged wars). There was also a cool small spinny-thing that flies up into the sky and disappears. And it's a crime that there was only one (but I got to use it)
Other than that, there isn't too much going on at the moment. My roommate is spending all of his free time locked in his room studying Japanese in order to pass this big test. Unfortunately, he's already ben told that there's no way he can pass at this point. He was a major in university, but there's a big difference between that and the real world. Hopefully, he sticks around for a little while if (or when) he fails, but on the plus side, he is translating manga for me (working on the first volume of Neuro at the moment).
Hope things are going well over there. Send you another quick message later.
Other than that, there isn't too much going on at the moment. My roommate is spending all of his free time locked in his room studying Japanese in order to pass this big test. Unfortunately, he's already ben told that there's no way he can pass at this point. He was a major in university, but there's a big difference between that and the real world. Hopefully, he sticks around for a little while if (or when) he fails, but on the plus side, he is translating manga for me (working on the first volume of Neuro at the moment).
Hope things are going well over there. Send you another quick message later.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
X-Men: Mutant Genesis
Ah, memories. I got my roommate to get me this book when he was in Sapporo... mostly because the store in Sapporo had slim pickens in terms of comics. Still while this comic is not terribly good, I'm glad I read it because it contains X-Men #1 (the 1990's one) which is the comic that got me into comics. It wasn't the first comic that I thought was really good, but I was attracted to the cool looking characters... and that's about it. A friend (name Francis, but not pronounced how you think it is) showed it too me (he bought several copies because of the infamous variant cover pictured below, which when put together forms a nifty cover.
But rereading it, it certainly isn't really good. Oh, the art by Jim Lee is pitch perfect and his costume designs are among the best loved (why didn't the Jim Lee Cyclops and Storm costumes show up in the X-Men Legend games?) and the man draws good super-action. But the writing is painful. It contained (at the time) what was supposed to be long time writer Chris Claremont's last story arc, but it really didn't work out all that well. There are some interesting moments but they are ruined by over-the-top wordiness. Way too much talking and posturing and characters talking about how complex and interesting they are. This makes them seem shallow and boring. I certainly have fond memories of this one but it doesn't hold up.
This story focuses on Magneto (who was a good guy only short time ago), who finds out that he was only a good guy because he was brainwashed as part of a chain of events that sounds too to be said out loud (it involves Magneto being turned into a baby, and somehow comedy was not intended). Anyhoo, he does the same thing to half the X-Men and the two halves fight and they eventually snap out of it (way too easily, by the way. Must be a crappy brainwashing machine) and I'm just bored by the whole affair. I know this is coming from a comic fan but no one can possibly talk that much whilst fighting or flying a short distance.
The story after, however, co-written by John Byrne and Jim Lee (and I think Scott Lodbell fits in there too somewhere) is a lot more fun. It too is flawed, but it's like growing up with a so-so movie. While it doesn't age well, it still pushes certain buttons. The dialog is less full of itself and more dumb action movie, the fight scenes are just plain fun, the twists are fun, the villains are badass and there's a McGuffin. You'd be surprised what a positive effect a McGuffin can have in your story if you play your hand right.
Basically, this story has the first appearance of Omega Red, who teams Matsuo, an evil Upstart (on evil gang that makes a sport of starting wars and wants to see whose manipulations can produce the highest body count) and the Fenris twins (mutant children of an evil Nazi who happens to be a Captain America villain. I swear there's like two degrees of separation in the Marvel Universe tops) to find something called the C-Synthesizer so they can... do something. Something to do with Omega Red's death factor (people around him die if they hang around him for a few minutes) but I don't remember or care to look up the details. This one got my attention for the cool character designs.
I'm sort of sad this book doesn't have the Mojo story that happens right after it. Mojo (an emperor of a TV-obsessed universe) seemed like a good villain when I was young but now he seems silly. Still, I think if he was retooled as an Fantastic Four villain he'd be better (even though they've had some of their best stories their, I never really liked the idea of the X-Men in space). Still, this little trip down memory lane was an eye opening read and an interesting little peak into my childhood. And it held up better than the Ewoks movie I was always watching as a kid.
But rereading it, it certainly isn't really good. Oh, the art by Jim Lee is pitch perfect and his costume designs are among the best loved (why didn't the Jim Lee Cyclops and Storm costumes show up in the X-Men Legend games?) and the man draws good super-action. But the writing is painful. It contained (at the time) what was supposed to be long time writer Chris Claremont's last story arc, but it really didn't work out all that well. There are some interesting moments but they are ruined by over-the-top wordiness. Way too much talking and posturing and characters talking about how complex and interesting they are. This makes them seem shallow and boring. I certainly have fond memories of this one but it doesn't hold up.
This story focuses on Magneto (who was a good guy only short time ago), who finds out that he was only a good guy because he was brainwashed as part of a chain of events that sounds too to be said out loud (it involves Magneto being turned into a baby, and somehow comedy was not intended). Anyhoo, he does the same thing to half the X-Men and the two halves fight and they eventually snap out of it (way too easily, by the way. Must be a crappy brainwashing machine) and I'm just bored by the whole affair. I know this is coming from a comic fan but no one can possibly talk that much whilst fighting or flying a short distance.
The story after, however, co-written by John Byrne and Jim Lee (and I think Scott Lodbell fits in there too somewhere) is a lot more fun. It too is flawed, but it's like growing up with a so-so movie. While it doesn't age well, it still pushes certain buttons. The dialog is less full of itself and more dumb action movie, the fight scenes are just plain fun, the twists are fun, the villains are badass and there's a McGuffin. You'd be surprised what a positive effect a McGuffin can have in your story if you play your hand right.
Basically, this story has the first appearance of Omega Red, who teams Matsuo, an evil Upstart (on evil gang that makes a sport of starting wars and wants to see whose manipulations can produce the highest body count) and the Fenris twins (mutant children of an evil Nazi who happens to be a Captain America villain. I swear there's like two degrees of separation in the Marvel Universe tops) to find something called the C-Synthesizer so they can... do something. Something to do with Omega Red's death factor (people around him die if they hang around him for a few minutes) but I don't remember or care to look up the details. This one got my attention for the cool character designs.
I'm sort of sad this book doesn't have the Mojo story that happens right after it. Mojo (an emperor of a TV-obsessed universe) seemed like a good villain when I was young but now he seems silly. Still, I think if he was retooled as an Fantastic Four villain he'd be better (even though they've had some of their best stories their, I never really liked the idea of the X-Men in space). Still, this little trip down memory lane was an eye opening read and an interesting little peak into my childhood. And it held up better than the Ewoks movie I was always watching as a kid.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
She Touched Me in a Special Way
Hey I got a girl's number recently. It's quite sweet story. I was riding my bike across the street when I saw her. She was in her car. And when I saw her, I was struck.
By her car.
Hard.
Luckily I was completely fine, but still we called the police in to make sure everything was cool. We exchanged numbers so I could contact her in case something came up. Too bad she already had a boyfriend (or a brother) and doesn't speak English. She seemed sweet.
The next day (and apparently she works in Posful, the building I work in) she brought me some sweet mini-croissants and a sports drink. People tend to give gifts for things like this. Perhaps I've struck a goldmine. A painful, painful goldmine. OK, maybe not. But hey, free Pocari Sweat.
I love telling this story. Don't want to tell my Mom though. She going to get pissed that I wasn't wearing a helmet. People just don't seem to wear them here, so I don't want to offend anybody.
By her car.
Hard.
Luckily I was completely fine, but still we called the police in to make sure everything was cool. We exchanged numbers so I could contact her in case something came up. Too bad she already had a boyfriend (or a brother) and doesn't speak English. She seemed sweet.
The next day (and apparently she works in Posful, the building I work in) she brought me some sweet mini-croissants and a sports drink. People tend to give gifts for things like this. Perhaps I've struck a goldmine. A painful, painful goldmine. OK, maybe not. But hey, free Pocari Sweat.
I love telling this story. Don't want to tell my Mom though. She going to get pissed that I wasn't wearing a helmet. People just don't seem to wear them here, so I don't want to offend anybody.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Eyes Wide Shut
Eyes Wide Shut is one of those movies that everyone was talking about at the time, yet no one was really talking about the film itself. Like Angel Heart* and Disclosure** people were more interested in talking about behind the scenes crap and "social issues" than talk about the film itself. I had heard a lot about it but not too much about it's real content. When that happens, I start to think that the film is in fact contentless, like many of Tom Cruise's films (has anyone had the misfortune of seeing cocktail? It's like events are occurring but somehow nothing is happening).
Luckily, I was wrong. I mean, I know I like Stanley Kubrick, but I was afraid that I would be bored to tears, seeing as how so many "erotic thrillers" seem to be boring as sin and surprisingly unerotic. I didn't find this film too erotic, but I found it too be smart and engaging, though a bit frustrating. I don't know why. It's not because there are unanswered questions, because that is in fact the film's strength. It is not the acting (though that's nothing special). I guess it's that the events after the night feel a bit... underwhelming after the night.
See this film is split into two parts: one night and the following day. The night half the starts the film is almost a dreamlike world, a sort of twilight between asleep and awake. It's an odyssey and the main character played by Cruise starts traveling down a strange sexual road. It begins when his wife (stoned to the gills, if that's possible) admits that she almost threw everything for one night of passion with a navy guy (if he were to offer). The film's performances didn't grab me too much except for that one scene, which I thought was very powerful and sort of hypnotic (even Tom looks hypno-zonked). It started out the usual uninteresting "frustrated couple fighting" scene and went somewhere rather interesting. The way she admits that the fact that her wanted to cheat on him made her realize how much she treasured him was an interesting angle.
Anyhoo, before he can react to the bombshell, Dr. Bill Harford (Tom's character) is called to check on a patient who just died. Bill begins his journey, deciding to just sort of walk around, letting things happen to him. He never seems to initiate anything... at first. There are two interesting things about Dr. Harford. One is that he seems to justify anything he does by saying "I'm a doctor". It's a bit of a joke and while Roger Ebert says that he seems to be trying to show he exists with it, I see it as Harford naively thinking that being a doctor acts as some sort of warrant to do what he want. He really treats it like a skeleton key, and it actually works, even when it shouldn't (like at a costume shop)
The other thing is that almost every character reacts to him sexually. My guess is that Harford's character has some invisible sexual aura that he emits and doesn't seem to know about (but has had it long enough that he's used to the reactions he gets). To my recollection, he never actually flat out says no to any woman (or man) who shows interest, even when they're going far with their flirtation. Still, Harford spends the whole movie unlaid.
Anyway, Harford spends the rest of the night sort of walking no where in particular and getting into tiny adventures until a friend tells him about a weird kinky place he plays piano for. He ends up sneaking his way in, and finds a strange sexual underworld. Not evil or anything, just a bit decadent and strange,with a sense of ritual and almost religious significance. Eventually, he's caught, but before he's punished he finds himself spared (from what?) in another strange turn of events.
The second half of the movie is far less dreamlike and is sort of about the harsh light of day, as Harford investigates what happened. It's still good and a logical following thematically and plot wise, but I dunno, I just got the feeling that after the intriguing midpoint show stopper in the mansion, the rest seemed less intriguing. I do like how the events of the previous night has two theories behind it and both seem plausible (is it some crazy cult, or some boys club? Are they murderous or just cowards who are into smoke and mirrors? Are they Illuminati or Skull and Bones), but I feel that I wasn't as drawn in anymore.
Still, a much better movie that I expected after all the hub-bub.
* A good but flawed film
** Which I haven't seen but since it has Demi Moore and Michael Douglas it was probably shit. I'm not commenting on their acting ability, I'm just saying they tend to star in shitty movies. Also, there's something about Douglas that makes me want to keep hitting him and never stop.
Luckily, I was wrong. I mean, I know I like Stanley Kubrick, but I was afraid that I would be bored to tears, seeing as how so many "erotic thrillers" seem to be boring as sin and surprisingly unerotic. I didn't find this film too erotic, but I found it too be smart and engaging, though a bit frustrating. I don't know why. It's not because there are unanswered questions, because that is in fact the film's strength. It is not the acting (though that's nothing special). I guess it's that the events after the night feel a bit... underwhelming after the night.
See this film is split into two parts: one night and the following day. The night half the starts the film is almost a dreamlike world, a sort of twilight between asleep and awake. It's an odyssey and the main character played by Cruise starts traveling down a strange sexual road. It begins when his wife (stoned to the gills, if that's possible) admits that she almost threw everything for one night of passion with a navy guy (if he were to offer). The film's performances didn't grab me too much except for that one scene, which I thought was very powerful and sort of hypnotic (even Tom looks hypno-zonked). It started out the usual uninteresting "frustrated couple fighting" scene and went somewhere rather interesting. The way she admits that the fact that her wanted to cheat on him made her realize how much she treasured him was an interesting angle.
Anyhoo, before he can react to the bombshell, Dr. Bill Harford (Tom's character) is called to check on a patient who just died. Bill begins his journey, deciding to just sort of walk around, letting things happen to him. He never seems to initiate anything... at first. There are two interesting things about Dr. Harford. One is that he seems to justify anything he does by saying "I'm a doctor". It's a bit of a joke and while Roger Ebert says that he seems to be trying to show he exists with it, I see it as Harford naively thinking that being a doctor acts as some sort of warrant to do what he want. He really treats it like a skeleton key, and it actually works, even when it shouldn't (like at a costume shop)
The other thing is that almost every character reacts to him sexually. My guess is that Harford's character has some invisible sexual aura that he emits and doesn't seem to know about (but has had it long enough that he's used to the reactions he gets). To my recollection, he never actually flat out says no to any woman (or man) who shows interest, even when they're going far with their flirtation. Still, Harford spends the whole movie unlaid.
Anyway, Harford spends the rest of the night sort of walking no where in particular and getting into tiny adventures until a friend tells him about a weird kinky place he plays piano for. He ends up sneaking his way in, and finds a strange sexual underworld. Not evil or anything, just a bit decadent and strange,with a sense of ritual and almost religious significance. Eventually, he's caught, but before he's punished he finds himself spared (from what?) in another strange turn of events.
The second half of the movie is far less dreamlike and is sort of about the harsh light of day, as Harford investigates what happened. It's still good and a logical following thematically and plot wise, but I dunno, I just got the feeling that after the intriguing midpoint show stopper in the mansion, the rest seemed less intriguing. I do like how the events of the previous night has two theories behind it and both seem plausible (is it some crazy cult, or some boys club? Are they murderous or just cowards who are into smoke and mirrors? Are they Illuminati or Skull and Bones), but I feel that I wasn't as drawn in anymore.
Still, a much better movie that I expected after all the hub-bub.
* A good but flawed film
** Which I haven't seen but since it has Demi Moore and Michael Douglas it was probably shit. I'm not commenting on their acting ability, I'm just saying they tend to star in shitty movies. Also, there's something about Douglas that makes me want to keep hitting him and never stop.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
A Title
I haven't really said anything lately, but things have indeed happen. We're in the middle of a heat wave over here and it's driving me nuts. And I hate being driven nuts.
I got a new roommate who despite being a goth is a rather nice guy. He seems a little to nervous at times and seems to think that I can answer his questions (I'm not terribly smart, guy). Though I certainly am not interested in the Gothy stuff he likes, he seems interested in my comics, so as you can assume, I'm happy to oblige. We actually have two new coworkers and he also seems like a nice guy, but I'm getting the impression that NOVA will soon be run by nerds. That's because my current boss will be leaving rather soon (in September) and we'll be without a true boss figure for a while. Frankly, that seems a little strange since I don't see anyone there being true leadership material. No offense to my coworkers, of course.
I'm also still contemplating what I'm going to do once my year is up. Shall I go back to university to get a masters in TESL. Perhaps I'll tech somewhere in Europe. Perhaps I'll stay in Japan. I really don't know, and I really should decide sometime soon. I. JUST. DON'T. KNOW.
In all honesty, I'm in a bit of a rut, so I'm going to try to type some random stuff in this thing at least every other night. I'll probably keep things short though. Maybe not this short but still... short. I'll write again soon. (It's too hot to do anything that isn't just lying down and sweating.
I got a new roommate who despite being a goth is a rather nice guy. He seems a little to nervous at times and seems to think that I can answer his questions (I'm not terribly smart, guy). Though I certainly am not interested in the Gothy stuff he likes, he seems interested in my comics, so as you can assume, I'm happy to oblige. We actually have two new coworkers and he also seems like a nice guy, but I'm getting the impression that NOVA will soon be run by nerds. That's because my current boss will be leaving rather soon (in September) and we'll be without a true boss figure for a while. Frankly, that seems a little strange since I don't see anyone there being true leadership material. No offense to my coworkers, of course.
I'm also still contemplating what I'm going to do once my year is up. Shall I go back to university to get a masters in TESL. Perhaps I'll tech somewhere in Europe. Perhaps I'll stay in Japan. I really don't know, and I really should decide sometime soon. I. JUST. DON'T. KNOW.
In all honesty, I'm in a bit of a rut, so I'm going to try to type some random stuff in this thing at least every other night. I'll probably keep things short though. Maybe not this short but still... short. I'll write again soon. (It's too hot to do anything that isn't just lying down and sweating.
Saturday, June 09, 2007
I wish I could get the pictures on here...
Unfortunately, I can't find a way yet, but I got a few nifty pictures from my quick trip to Sapporo.
Basically, the trip went something like this: I got up early in the morning (well, 7AM anyway, which is early-ish, I guess) and finished packing for my trip and had a quick breakfast. Then I headed to the train station and got on. The trip there was interspersed with playing Jump Ultimate Stars and reading the Wonderful Wizard of OZ (there's a lot more killing than I expected in that book).
When I got there I first headed to a book store in order to get some English comics and Magazines that I wouldn't be able to get in Obihiro. Then I went to an arcade to play a very impressive Gundam game. I don't really like Gundam, but the game was really cool, in that there are big pods for different players to enter. Said pods are designed to operate similarly to the pods in the series, what with the pedals and double stick shift and what have you. It has a screen that goes about 160 degrees around you to get more of an immersive feel and a really old school Gundam soundtrack. It's also quite expensive, because you also have to by a card for the game (which is about three bucks) and it's about 5 bucks for two bouts. The more you win, the more points you get to gets all sorts of upgrades later. I got a better gun now.
Anyway, after that I had lunch and started walking aimlessly. Then I started walking with an aim. After a long walk looking for a subway, I finally found one. Now, I had written to myself that I was to go to Higashi station but the line I was on only had Hiragishi. Assuming I had made a mistake with the spelling, and not thinking whether or not I was on the wrong line, I headed to Hirigishi. I soon became apparent that I was very lost and while I got help from several gas station attendants, I could only follow their vague pointing. Luckily I stumble across a travel agency and the guy inside was able to help me (as you can assume it was Higashi all along). It wasn't the log walk that bothered me so much as it was my heavy luggage.
After finally getting to my hotel, I was told that my room was available for a second night, which I took. Then I just walked around, went to my room and watched a rifftrax.
The next day, I went to Odori Park and TV Tower, which is tall, but not really impressively tall. I don't see the point really. But Odori Park as quite pretty and a nice place for a picnic (or at least a bento). I also had some BBQ corn and potato cookies, which really just taste like regular cookies. After a quick nap in the park, I walked around again and found a place called Space Create, which is one of those Manga Kisaten (Sp?) where people can go lock themselves up in a small closet sized room where they can read manga (there is a large library of it) watch TV, surf the net, play PS2 and order food. It's no wonder that this country breeds creepy introverts. I wonder what our excuse is... Anyhoo, I decided to try it and had some fun playing Biohazard 4. A truly awesome game that I spent far too little time with.
Anyhoo, I had some curry and went back to the hotel some time in the evening. The next day, I checked out and more or less repeated a few of the things I've done before, as well, as visiting the old government building call Red Brick. I unfortunately couldn't read a damn thing so I could not guess the historical significance of this place. Still, it seemed nice. Also: duck pond! Woo!
And that was pretty much it for me. I went home and now I'm back here in an empty apartment (my roommate left for parts sort of known) and a broken refrigerator (the freezer works though). Man, I just wish I could get those pictures off my phone.
Basically, the trip went something like this: I got up early in the morning (well, 7AM anyway, which is early-ish, I guess) and finished packing for my trip and had a quick breakfast. Then I headed to the train station and got on. The trip there was interspersed with playing Jump Ultimate Stars and reading the Wonderful Wizard of OZ (there's a lot more killing than I expected in that book).
When I got there I first headed to a book store in order to get some English comics and Magazines that I wouldn't be able to get in Obihiro. Then I went to an arcade to play a very impressive Gundam game. I don't really like Gundam, but the game was really cool, in that there are big pods for different players to enter. Said pods are designed to operate similarly to the pods in the series, what with the pedals and double stick shift and what have you. It has a screen that goes about 160 degrees around you to get more of an immersive feel and a really old school Gundam soundtrack. It's also quite expensive, because you also have to by a card for the game (which is about three bucks) and it's about 5 bucks for two bouts. The more you win, the more points you get to gets all sorts of upgrades later. I got a better gun now.
Anyway, after that I had lunch and started walking aimlessly. Then I started walking with an aim. After a long walk looking for a subway, I finally found one. Now, I had written to myself that I was to go to Higashi station but the line I was on only had Hiragishi. Assuming I had made a mistake with the spelling, and not thinking whether or not I was on the wrong line, I headed to Hirigishi. I soon became apparent that I was very lost and while I got help from several gas station attendants, I could only follow their vague pointing. Luckily I stumble across a travel agency and the guy inside was able to help me (as you can assume it was Higashi all along). It wasn't the log walk that bothered me so much as it was my heavy luggage.
After finally getting to my hotel, I was told that my room was available for a second night, which I took. Then I just walked around, went to my room and watched a rifftrax.
The next day, I went to Odori Park and TV Tower, which is tall, but not really impressively tall. I don't see the point really. But Odori Park as quite pretty and a nice place for a picnic (or at least a bento). I also had some BBQ corn and potato cookies, which really just taste like regular cookies. After a quick nap in the park, I walked around again and found a place called Space Create, which is one of those Manga Kisaten (Sp?) where people can go lock themselves up in a small closet sized room where they can read manga (there is a large library of it) watch TV, surf the net, play PS2 and order food. It's no wonder that this country breeds creepy introverts. I wonder what our excuse is... Anyhoo, I decided to try it and had some fun playing Biohazard 4. A truly awesome game that I spent far too little time with.
Anyhoo, I had some curry and went back to the hotel some time in the evening. The next day, I checked out and more or less repeated a few of the things I've done before, as well, as visiting the old government building call Red Brick. I unfortunately couldn't read a damn thing so I could not guess the historical significance of this place. Still, it seemed nice. Also: duck pond! Woo!
And that was pretty much it for me. I went home and now I'm back here in an empty apartment (my roommate left for parts sort of known) and a broken refrigerator (the freezer works though). Man, I just wish I could get those pictures off my phone.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
What's new with you?
So, is anything actually happening over there? I really haven't gotten much mail from anyone recently, except when Jordan sent me that Blue Dragon thing the yesterday. Are you guys... breaking up with me? I guess I haven't been saying much either but as yet there hasn't been much to say. I may be off probation soon if I have correctly read the reaction of one of my superiors at Nova, so that's pretty cool.
Also, I got a DS, which is also quite cool. The first game I got for it was Jump Ultimate Stars, which is like Smash Brothers, but it has Shonen Jump characters and it's not as good. Now, don't get me wrong, it is still a damn good game, but it's missing a few things that keep it for being that good. One is level design. Smash Brothers was great with that but the levels in this game, though reflecting many og the manga, they also feel generic. Most of them feel like the same kind of platform filled level with mildly different traps, if any. The Naruto level was kind of cool in that it has some ninja traps and the One Piece level has a cannon in the middle but I just know it can have more than just platforms. I'd loke the Eyeshield level to be on a Football field, not just another platform level with a field in the background. On the plus side, the levels all take place within a big manga panel, which I think is kind of cool.
The other is that I don't know if this plays nearly as well in multiplayer as Smash brothers, but I've never really played a multiplayer game on a game boy before.
I do love the Koma (panel) system, though, which is pretty cool and allows you to build a cool team of battle, support and bonus characters. Basically you have to build a team on a grid fill it with manga panels. More powerful characters take up more panels (except for bonus characters who only take up one panel each and ive bonuses to selected characters). So you can have a team of three characters with a few bonuses or one character with lots of bonuses and support.
I already beat of levels from series I like (Slam Dunk, Eyeshield21 and One Piece) and from series I've never heard of (Popularity King Taizo Saga and Jaguar for example) and for the most part am kicking ass, though right now, I'm having trouble trying to finish the Hitman Reborn level. Still, I really hope they bring this game to the Wii, because it would be endlessly cool.
As for other things, not to much is happening over here.
I heard that there will be a Spider-Man stage musical, and even stranger, it's directed by Julie Taymor, who did the incredibly popular and critically acclaimed Lion King play as well as some amazing movies like Titus and Frida. The music will be by Bono and the Edge. Frankly, I'm not a musical person, but I am curious and will be buying the inevitable soundtrack. However, I'm mildly worried since they mentioned there will be a new character, Arachne:
The character breakdowns provide some insight to plot points as the character Arachne ("female, 20-35 years old, any ethnicity") is described as "a beautiful, boastful young woman turned into a spider for her hubris and lack of respect for the gods. She subsequently appears to Peter Parker and the audience as in turn a powerful spider-woman who comes from another time to inspire Peter; an otherworldly lover; a bride; a terrifying (and sexy) dark goddess of vengeance; a dance partner in a charged and violent spiders dance of death; and, finally, a lonely, fragile young woman." Casting is seeking a "strong Celtic, Balkan style, e.g., Sinead O'Connor," noting, "outside the box ideas are welcomed. Could be someone from the music industry."
Seems very strange, as Spider-Man doesn't interact with magic and myth that much unless some gets start like Doc Strange shows up. Still, they did mess with it in Michael J Straczynski's run (creator of Babylon 5) but that story was really nothing to write home about. Still Taymor, is very talented and as long as she gets the characters it should be fine. But most importantly, I want to see J. Jonah Jameson sing. Face it, you do too.
Also, I got a DS, which is also quite cool. The first game I got for it was Jump Ultimate Stars, which is like Smash Brothers, but it has Shonen Jump characters and it's not as good. Now, don't get me wrong, it is still a damn good game, but it's missing a few things that keep it for being that good. One is level design. Smash Brothers was great with that but the levels in this game, though reflecting many og the manga, they also feel generic. Most of them feel like the same kind of platform filled level with mildly different traps, if any. The Naruto level was kind of cool in that it has some ninja traps and the One Piece level has a cannon in the middle but I just know it can have more than just platforms. I'd loke the Eyeshield level to be on a Football field, not just another platform level with a field in the background. On the plus side, the levels all take place within a big manga panel, which I think is kind of cool.
The other is that I don't know if this plays nearly as well in multiplayer as Smash brothers, but I've never really played a multiplayer game on a game boy before.
I do love the Koma (panel) system, though, which is pretty cool and allows you to build a cool team of battle, support and bonus characters. Basically you have to build a team on a grid fill it with manga panels. More powerful characters take up more panels (except for bonus characters who only take up one panel each and ive bonuses to selected characters). So you can have a team of three characters with a few bonuses or one character with lots of bonuses and support.
I already beat of levels from series I like (Slam Dunk, Eyeshield21 and One Piece) and from series I've never heard of (Popularity King Taizo Saga and Jaguar for example) and for the most part am kicking ass, though right now, I'm having trouble trying to finish the Hitman Reborn level. Still, I really hope they bring this game to the Wii, because it would be endlessly cool.
As for other things, not to much is happening over here.
I heard that there will be a Spider-Man stage musical, and even stranger, it's directed by Julie Taymor, who did the incredibly popular and critically acclaimed Lion King play as well as some amazing movies like Titus and Frida. The music will be by Bono and the Edge. Frankly, I'm not a musical person, but I am curious and will be buying the inevitable soundtrack. However, I'm mildly worried since they mentioned there will be a new character, Arachne:
The character breakdowns provide some insight to plot points as the character Arachne ("female, 20-35 years old, any ethnicity") is described as "a beautiful, boastful young woman turned into a spider for her hubris and lack of respect for the gods. She subsequently appears to Peter Parker and the audience as in turn a powerful spider-woman who comes from another time to inspire Peter; an otherworldly lover; a bride; a terrifying (and sexy) dark goddess of vengeance; a dance partner in a charged and violent spiders dance of death; and, finally, a lonely, fragile young woman." Casting is seeking a "strong Celtic, Balkan style, e.g., Sinead O'Connor," noting, "outside the box ideas are welcomed. Could be someone from the music industry."
Seems very strange, as Spider-Man doesn't interact with magic and myth that much unless some gets start like Doc Strange shows up. Still, they did mess with it in Michael J Straczynski's run (creator of Babylon 5) but that story was really nothing to write home about. Still Taymor, is very talented and as long as she gets the characters it should be fine. But most importantly, I want to see J. Jonah Jameson sing. Face it, you do too.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
A Few Random Things
I finally got a bicycle so now traveling around the city is a lot easier and a lot more fun. On first glance I was starting to assume that no one in Obihiro was locking their bike, but in fact the wheels of the front tire is locked up. Too bad someone could just pick up your light-ass bike and carry it to their apartment. Just saying.
Still, I have a nice little black bike with a little basket and a light generator (which all bikes seems to have) and is adorable. Unfortunately, I have to keep it in my room but it doesn't take all that much room. Soon my knowledge of Obihiro will be a lot batter and maybe I'll find a few more cool places.
I just had possibly the most delicious curry I've ever eaten at a place call Soup Curry Waruw... or maybe it was called Soup Curry Maruw. Now I didn't know what Soup Curry (or Curry Soup) would be like but it was absolutely wonderful. It was full of big chunks of delicious veggies and a chicken breast and rice of the side. Now I've never had curry soup before but I wasn't sure how to eat it. Curry by definition is a sauce, but you can make a sauce into a soup. Anyway, it was basically a flavourful soup with a side of rice. So I poured the soup on the rice and ate them together. In retrospect they can probably be eaten separately but they taste good together too.
The restuarant itself is a hole in the wall (though for all I know it's a part of a franchise) and looks a little rundown but it has a cozy feel to it. I also like the fact that reggae music is being played in the background, the place has a whole Hawaiian tiki look and they serve curry. A little confusing. They also have a couple of vintage Great Mazinger-type toys. Also like many small restaurants there's manga lying around waiting to be read (though I have no idea why none of there places have anything from the cooking manga genre. What the hell?
I finished reading Young Avengers Vol. 1 and my opinion of it hadn't changed. It didn't help that it was sort of obvious where the ending was heading, though I could easily see further volumes being better reads. This had a good artist and an OK writer but something didn't click.
I also am halfway through Day of Vengeance, which is one of the four mini-series that lead into the Infinite Crisis book. Unfortunately before the titular story begins there's a three-part Superman story that leads into the story that's just God-awful. Awful art but Ian Churchill (he doesn't even strike me as someone who should be drawing Superman) and a terrible script by Judd Winick. I was told this guy was a good writer but this was painful. It was an unbelievably generic story that feels over twenty years old (in a bad way) opening with a early Alan Moore wannabe type feel, then a generic Eclipso possesses Superman story (I'm positive that they've done that many times, yet they act like it's the first.) and then it's just a boring Super-battle. In fact the way Captain Marvel beats evil Superman was already done much better in Kingdom Come.
The actual story is kind of fun and the art is OK. But it also didn't click. Still the author does something I appreciate, which is taking B-level characters and making them interesting. I have a soft spot for B-level characters because their status quo is less fixed. I don't care what you do to Superman but he'll always get his status quo back. However, you can do anything you want with Detective Chimp.
Actually Detective Chimp is made into a fun character here: a talking Chimpanzee with only the ability to talk, heightened intelligence and eternal youth. Basically, he's an asshole detective in a Sherlock Holmes hat (deerstalker) who wears an "Everybody Sucks but Me" shirt. I also like Ragman who can borrow the strength of all of the people he punished for their sins, so it's like he's powered by purgatory and the souls in his costume work off their karmic debt. It's a really cool idea in my opinion.
The plot sounds fun but I'm not that into it yet: the most powerful character in the DCU (the Spectre AKA God's Wraith incarnate) is tricked into wiping out all of the magic users and the only people to opposed him that haven't been spanked or killed by the Spectre is a ragtag group (one of those things) of random magic types... and Captain Marvel, and Marvel is in the middle of getting his teeth knocked out. I'll have to wait till it finishes to pass final judgment but I have to say this is a fun story, but nothing special.
Also Justiniano art's good but it doesn't fit here. His art is good but when I read it I get the impression that these aren't the characters that he was meant to draw, except maybe Nightshade. Seeing the way he draws Nightshade, I get the impression that he should be drawing Birds of Prey. It really seems he was meant to draw when in tight clothes doing martial arts.
Also, I've been listening to I Love Movies radio podcasts. I can't promise that you'll like it (though I'm sure Darcy will) but generally obscure comedians (and Patton Oswalt on one show) and host Doug Benson. Mostly it's just talking about movie but there are times that are just very funny, though exact moments don't come to mind. So that's what I've been up to.
Still, I have a nice little black bike with a little basket and a light generator (which all bikes seems to have) and is adorable. Unfortunately, I have to keep it in my room but it doesn't take all that much room. Soon my knowledge of Obihiro will be a lot batter and maybe I'll find a few more cool places.
I just had possibly the most delicious curry I've ever eaten at a place call Soup Curry Waruw... or maybe it was called Soup Curry Maruw. Now I didn't know what Soup Curry (or Curry Soup) would be like but it was absolutely wonderful. It was full of big chunks of delicious veggies and a chicken breast and rice of the side. Now I've never had curry soup before but I wasn't sure how to eat it. Curry by definition is a sauce, but you can make a sauce into a soup. Anyway, it was basically a flavourful soup with a side of rice. So I poured the soup on the rice and ate them together. In retrospect they can probably be eaten separately but they taste good together too.
The restuarant itself is a hole in the wall (though for all I know it's a part of a franchise) and looks a little rundown but it has a cozy feel to it. I also like the fact that reggae music is being played in the background, the place has a whole Hawaiian tiki look and they serve curry. A little confusing. They also have a couple of vintage Great Mazinger-type toys. Also like many small restaurants there's manga lying around waiting to be read (though I have no idea why none of there places have anything from the cooking manga genre. What the hell?
I finished reading Young Avengers Vol. 1 and my opinion of it hadn't changed. It didn't help that it was sort of obvious where the ending was heading, though I could easily see further volumes being better reads. This had a good artist and an OK writer but something didn't click.
I also am halfway through Day of Vengeance, which is one of the four mini-series that lead into the Infinite Crisis book. Unfortunately before the titular story begins there's a three-part Superman story that leads into the story that's just God-awful. Awful art but Ian Churchill (he doesn't even strike me as someone who should be drawing Superman) and a terrible script by Judd Winick. I was told this guy was a good writer but this was painful. It was an unbelievably generic story that feels over twenty years old (in a bad way) opening with a early Alan Moore wannabe type feel, then a generic Eclipso possesses Superman story (I'm positive that they've done that many times, yet they act like it's the first.) and then it's just a boring Super-battle. In fact the way Captain Marvel beats evil Superman was already done much better in Kingdom Come.
The actual story is kind of fun and the art is OK. But it also didn't click. Still the author does something I appreciate, which is taking B-level characters and making them interesting. I have a soft spot for B-level characters because their status quo is less fixed. I don't care what you do to Superman but he'll always get his status quo back. However, you can do anything you want with Detective Chimp.
Actually Detective Chimp is made into a fun character here: a talking Chimpanzee with only the ability to talk, heightened intelligence and eternal youth. Basically, he's an asshole detective in a Sherlock Holmes hat (deerstalker) who wears an "Everybody Sucks but Me" shirt. I also like Ragman who can borrow the strength of all of the people he punished for their sins, so it's like he's powered by purgatory and the souls in his costume work off their karmic debt. It's a really cool idea in my opinion.
The plot sounds fun but I'm not that into it yet: the most powerful character in the DCU (the Spectre AKA God's Wraith incarnate) is tricked into wiping out all of the magic users and the only people to opposed him that haven't been spanked or killed by the Spectre is a ragtag group (one of those things) of random magic types... and Captain Marvel, and Marvel is in the middle of getting his teeth knocked out. I'll have to wait till it finishes to pass final judgment but I have to say this is a fun story, but nothing special.
Also Justiniano art's good but it doesn't fit here. His art is good but when I read it I get the impression that these aren't the characters that he was meant to draw, except maybe Nightshade. Seeing the way he draws Nightshade, I get the impression that he should be drawing Birds of Prey. It really seems he was meant to draw when in tight clothes doing martial arts.
Also, I've been listening to I Love Movies radio podcasts. I can't promise that you'll like it (though I'm sure Darcy will) but generally obscure comedians (and Patton Oswalt on one show) and host Doug Benson. Mostly it's just talking about movie but there are times that are just very funny, though exact moments don't come to mind. So that's what I've been up to.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
I Feel Like Talking About Comics
Can you pay phone bills at convenience stores in Canada? Because you can in Japan apparently. And since this was my first phone bill it's taken me aback a little (and I sincerely don't know if it can be done in North America). Just think, in the middle of the night, you get the munchies, so you head over to a 7-11 for a peach-flavoured kit-kat bar, some Wild Turkey and pay your Internet bill all at once. Nifty.
Not much happening here. I helped some guy beat House of the Dead II with all of my loose 100 yen coins (about 8-9 dollars worth). A little kid watched on and while I have no idea what he was saying, he seemed amazed by everything that was going on. I only got rookie, but that's because I allowed the continue to hit zero half way through. And I shot a guy who wasn't a zommbie so that didn't help.
My Mom wants to visit me in Japan some time, but I don't know when she's coming or what she'd do. Too my knowledge, winter is Hokkaido's big season because of the mountains used for skiing and I really don't know if the sakura bloom up here in Spring (I believe one student told me they bloom later here than anywhere else, but I don't know when that would be) so I really don't know what there is for my parents to do here.
I've
been reading the comics that have been sent to me (and I at my KD) and have finished Astonishing X-Men Vol. 3, which might have been better in one sitting than one chapter a night (but still, I want it to last a while) and is a little disappointing, though mostly because all of the big surprises were ruined for me before I picked it up. Still, there are some great moments (Wolverine spends much of the story mentally regressed into his 12 year-old pansy self) and some interesting developments (the real secret behind Cyclops' optic blasts are revealed), but too much of it is setting up for the forth and final story arc. And since I'm not too into X-Men in Space stories, I'm not looking forward to that one too much.
Nonetheless, I'm definitely gonna get it because while I'm not all that interested in X-Men in Space, I want to know what the Hell's going on with Emma Frost and I want to know where Cassandra Nova's (Xavier's creepy and positively evil twin sister) consciousness went. I guess my biggest problem with this is that instead of a proper ending, it ends on a cliffhanger and I wanted at least a little bit of closure before blasting headlong into the next story. This story is clearly too attached to this next story and I really want to read the next one simply to clear up that one important plot point. Frankly, I don't even care is Colossus is destined to bust up a planet.
Right now, I'm in the middle of the first volume of Young
Avengers, one of Marvel's most critically acclaimed series. It was created by veteran TV writer Allan Heinberg (The OC, Sex in the City, Grey's Anatomy and many more) and drawn rather well by Jim Cheug. It has a really good premise, a lot of critical acclaim, a good hook at the end of the first issue and a lot of potential but it's really left me cold... so far. The premise is an Avenger's themed super-group of teens shows up after the original Avengers team is decimated by one of their own. The characters look like side kicks and are all modelled after classic Avengers (Iron Lad, Asgardian, Patriot and Hulkling) but their origins and connections to the Avengers turn out to be not what anyone expects. I like the fact that Iron Lad is actually a young Kang the Conqueror and the revelation that the team was planned by the Vision before he "died," but the characters' aren't doing all that much for me. Of course, I am reviewing a book before it's finished, but at the same time, I'm just not that into it yet. Now if we're talking awesome teen super-book, I much prefer Runaways.
I also am close to being all caught up in Gantz and I always have to say that this series impresses me in terms of art, story telling and just how far the creator can go with keeping things fucked up. I do like the fact that the series feels a little less cynical in some ways, yet doesn't manage to betray it's feel. No matter what the character Kei Kurono is like, you root for him simply because of the fact that he's place in oer his head in an unfair situation. I really like the evolution of his character and where the series is heading. The best thing about this series is that whenever one question is answered it manages to raise many, many more. I love everything about this series and am constantly confused as too why no one is fighting for the rights to publish this series in North America.
I haven't read any manga that's been too impressive beyond that and I keep hoping whatever I'll read next turns out to be a nice hidden treasure (hey, it happened before with Level E... which none of you have read yet. Shame on you). I did catch up with One Piece a few month ago. I love the series still, but I have to say... END! It's been 10 years and there's no sign that they'll find the treasure. Now it doesn't feel monotonous as some series (Inu-Yasha) but I really feel that a series chronicling the characters quest for a single goal should end after 10 years, just because the fans deserve an ending. Just make sure it's satisfying and appears before people stop caring about the characters (time can do that).
As for what's happening in American comics right now... well, I'm not actually terribly interested in the death of Captain America. Not just because he'll be back, but also because I'm just exhausted of anything related to Civil War. I do like the direction for a lot of books that Civil War ignited but I don't think it was worth all of these talented creators giving readers a tired and wildly uneven (and sometimes even contradictory) final product.
I'm much more interested in seeing how 52 ends. I like 52 not
only because it's well written, but it's tapping into the kind of things I love about super-hero comics: crazy ideas, the idea you can go anywhere or do anything while retaining the sense of danger and suspense. Luckily, the cast is all B-level characters so there's also a sense the things can be done with them that you can't do with the big iconic characters like Superman and Batman. Also, I really like Booster Gold, an athlete from the future who came to our time and become a super-hero simply to get popular and make money. He's always been kind of a neat character. There are other great ideas working here too: an island inhabited only by mad scientists, Booster using his knowledge of the future to stop crimes before they happen (and covering his uniform in stickers like a NASCAR car.... car) and Lex Luthor's giving ordinary people super-powers (including flight) only to turn them off at midnight on New Year's eve and watching them fall from the sky. Dick.
I'm not necessarily in favour of more weekly series on this scale, but I think that this series was certainly a success for the most part, especially considering this is the first American attempt at a weekly comics series in who knows how long. I'm very interested if all of the stories are in fact interconnected and what the 52 are.
I'd also really like to read SHAZAM!: the Monster Society of Evil, created by Bone creator Jeff Smith. there aren't enough high quality super-hero comics you can give to young readers and Jeff Smith's take on SHAZAM! is exactly the kind of book I want to see. It looks like it has the same humour that made Bone such a great read and has an old fashioned super-hero style that isn't drenched in kitsch. It's just a comic in the vein of the original series: a boy who gets to be a cool grown-up super-hero with a magic word. It's doesn't get any simpler than that.
I'm also excited about what's coming next in Heroes (not a comic, but close enough). I've been let down in ome elements of this show and have been very impressed with others. The origin of HRG (as the fans call him) episode was very impressive (though I have no idea how the crap he survived that much radiation) and was the kind of episode I wanted to see since the series began. I also liked Mohinder taking out Sylar (if just for a short bit) and am quite interested to see where that it heading. I'm just hope that the November explosion is taken care of at the end of this season, because I already want the show to move beyond that. I'm also interested to see if Hiro's father really wanted him to save face for his company or if he was just trying to protect him from "the Company."
I still don't care that much for the Petrelli family. They don't interest me that much. And Linderman's appearence was a bit disappointing (what won't you star in Malcolm MacDowell). I think my biggest beef with this series is that there's a lot of stuff I can see coming that the characters can't. Matt Parkman often strikes me as annoyingly incompetent (I'm never surprised he never made it as a detective). What I love in super-hero comics is seeing super-types doing intering, clever things with their powers. There's some of that (shooting Claire to appease Ted, Sylar telekinetically turning off his IV) but I'd like to see more of that as the series goes on. And some more subtlety. Not many people strike me as subtle on this show. Do something about that.
But now I have to wait a month to see. Crap.
Not much happening here. I helped some guy beat House of the Dead II with all of my loose 100 yen coins (about 8-9 dollars worth). A little kid watched on and while I have no idea what he was saying, he seemed amazed by everything that was going on. I only got rookie, but that's because I allowed the continue to hit zero half way through. And I shot a guy who wasn't a zommbie so that didn't help.
My Mom wants to visit me in Japan some time, but I don't know when she's coming or what she'd do. Too my knowledge, winter is Hokkaido's big season because of the mountains used for skiing and I really don't know if the sakura bloom up here in Spring (I believe one student told me they bloom later here than anywhere else, but I don't know when that would be) so I really don't know what there is for my parents to do here.
I've
been reading the comics that have been sent to me (and I at my KD) and have finished Astonishing X-Men Vol. 3, which might have been better in one sitting than one chapter a night (but still, I want it to last a while) and is a little disappointing, though mostly because all of the big surprises were ruined for me before I picked it up. Still, there are some great moments (Wolverine spends much of the story mentally regressed into his 12 year-old pansy self) and some interesting developments (the real secret behind Cyclops' optic blasts are revealed), but too much of it is setting up for the forth and final story arc. And since I'm not too into X-Men in Space stories, I'm not looking forward to that one too much.Nonetheless, I'm definitely gonna get it because while I'm not all that interested in X-Men in Space, I want to know what the Hell's going on with Emma Frost and I want to know where Cassandra Nova's (Xavier's creepy and positively evil twin sister) consciousness went. I guess my biggest problem with this is that instead of a proper ending, it ends on a cliffhanger and I wanted at least a little bit of closure before blasting headlong into the next story. This story is clearly too attached to this next story and I really want to read the next one simply to clear up that one important plot point. Frankly, I don't even care is Colossus is destined to bust up a planet.
Right now, I'm in the middle of the first volume of Young
Avengers, one of Marvel's most critically acclaimed series. It was created by veteran TV writer Allan Heinberg (The OC, Sex in the City, Grey's Anatomy and many more) and drawn rather well by Jim Cheug. It has a really good premise, a lot of critical acclaim, a good hook at the end of the first issue and a lot of potential but it's really left me cold... so far. The premise is an Avenger's themed super-group of teens shows up after the original Avengers team is decimated by one of their own. The characters look like side kicks and are all modelled after classic Avengers (Iron Lad, Asgardian, Patriot and Hulkling) but their origins and connections to the Avengers turn out to be not what anyone expects. I like the fact that Iron Lad is actually a young Kang the Conqueror and the revelation that the team was planned by the Vision before he "died," but the characters' aren't doing all that much for me. Of course, I am reviewing a book before it's finished, but at the same time, I'm just not that into it yet. Now if we're talking awesome teen super-book, I much prefer Runaways.I also am close to being all caught up in Gantz and I always have to say that this series impresses me in terms of art, story telling and just how far the creator can go with keeping things fucked up. I do like the fact that the series feels a little less cynical in some ways, yet doesn't manage to betray it's feel. No matter what the character Kei Kurono is like, you root for him simply because of the fact that he's place in oer his head in an unfair situation. I really like the evolution of his character and where the series is heading. The best thing about this series is that whenever one question is answered it manages to raise many, many more. I love everything about this series and am constantly confused as too why no one is fighting for the rights to publish this series in North America.
I haven't read any manga that's been too impressive beyond that and I keep hoping whatever I'll read next turns out to be a nice hidden treasure (hey, it happened before with Level E... which none of you have read yet. Shame on you). I did catch up with One Piece a few month ago. I love the series still, but I have to say... END! It's been 10 years and there's no sign that they'll find the treasure. Now it doesn't feel monotonous as some series (Inu-Yasha) but I really feel that a series chronicling the characters quest for a single goal should end after 10 years, just because the fans deserve an ending. Just make sure it's satisfying and appears before people stop caring about the characters (time can do that).
As for what's happening in American comics right now... well, I'm not actually terribly interested in the death of Captain America. Not just because he'll be back, but also because I'm just exhausted of anything related to Civil War. I do like the direction for a lot of books that Civil War ignited but I don't think it was worth all of these talented creators giving readers a tired and wildly uneven (and sometimes even contradictory) final product.
I'm much more interested in seeing how 52 ends. I like 52 not
only because it's well written, but it's tapping into the kind of things I love about super-hero comics: crazy ideas, the idea you can go anywhere or do anything while retaining the sense of danger and suspense. Luckily, the cast is all B-level characters so there's also a sense the things can be done with them that you can't do with the big iconic characters like Superman and Batman. Also, I really like Booster Gold, an athlete from the future who came to our time and become a super-hero simply to get popular and make money. He's always been kind of a neat character. There are other great ideas working here too: an island inhabited only by mad scientists, Booster using his knowledge of the future to stop crimes before they happen (and covering his uniform in stickers like a NASCAR car.... car) and Lex Luthor's giving ordinary people super-powers (including flight) only to turn them off at midnight on New Year's eve and watching them fall from the sky. Dick.I'm not necessarily in favour of more weekly series on this scale, but I think that this series was certainly a success for the most part, especially considering this is the first American attempt at a weekly comics series in who knows how long. I'm very interested if all of the stories are in fact interconnected and what the 52 are.
I'd also really like to read SHAZAM!: the Monster Society of Evil, created by Bone creator Jeff Smith. there aren't enough high quality super-hero comics you can give to young readers and Jeff Smith's take on SHAZAM! is exactly the kind of book I want to see. It looks like it has the same humour that made Bone such a great read and has an old fashioned super-hero style that isn't drenched in kitsch. It's just a comic in the vein of the original series: a boy who gets to be a cool grown-up super-hero with a magic word. It's doesn't get any simpler than that.
I'm also excited about what's coming next in Heroes (not a comic, but close enough). I've been let down in ome elements of this show and have been very impressed with others. The origin of HRG (as the fans call him) episode was very impressive (though I have no idea how the crap he survived that much radiation) and was the kind of episode I wanted to see since the series began. I also liked Mohinder taking out Sylar (if just for a short bit) and am quite interested to see where that it heading. I'm just hope that the November explosion is taken care of at the end of this season, because I already want the show to move beyond that. I'm also interested to see if Hiro's father really wanted him to save face for his company or if he was just trying to protect him from "the Company."
I still don't care that much for the Petrelli family. They don't interest me that much. And Linderman's appearence was a bit disappointing (what won't you star in Malcolm MacDowell). I think my biggest beef with this series is that there's a lot of stuff I can see coming that the characters can't. Matt Parkman often strikes me as annoyingly incompetent (I'm never surprised he never made it as a detective). What I love in super-hero comics is seeing super-types doing intering, clever things with their powers. There's some of that (shooting Claire to appease Ted, Sylar telekinetically turning off his IV) but I'd like to see more of that as the series goes on. And some more subtlety. Not many people strike me as subtle on this show. Do something about that.
But now I have to wait a month to see. Crap.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Wha's Hap'nen
So what's going on in Japan right now? Not much really.
For work I was recently observed, which is never a comfortable experience. Still, it went by pretty painlessly. However, it doesn't look like my probationary period will end quite yet and I might have too wait another month or more.
Most of the students are really nice, and even the ones who are pains aren't too bad. The only real pain is this one guy who's in a much higher level than he deserves to be. He doesn't participate all that much either. It's like he's spaced out unless I'm giving him constant attention. In fact, he's one of the few cases where it might be better to have him and him alone in a class, simply because I can give him as much time to talk and stop him from nodding off.
There are students from all walks of life, but where I work seems particularly popular among older women. Most of them are pretty nice and are really interested in learning the language. But there are also people ranging from high school to their elder years. There's even one young kid from Jr. High, although he's incredibly quiet. Things, for the most part, are going pretty good on that end.
Oh, and I finally got my comics from home (and a box of KD) so now I got Astonishing X-Men, Day of Vengeance, Doom Patrol and Young Avengers to live off of for the month. I'm trying to stretch it out by reading a single chapter a night, which is almost painfully for more slowly paced books. I feel sorry for people who read certain monthly books. I was only able to find one place with English books (more than I thought, but less that was implied by my roommate). I had very little options so I just picked up the classic Heart of Darkness and Dragonball Vol. 10.
I've also been reading lots of manga, including Eyeshield 21, which is much better as a manga than an anime. I like the fact that even the series artist likes mocking the characters insane proportions (the artist points out that certain characters are ten feet tall but only during the games. I also recommend Eternal Sabbath (less generic than the title implies), My Name is Zushio (a little too hyper at times though), Mr. Fullswing (one again, sometimes a little too hyper) and Freesia.
I've been keeping up with my English TV, watching the Daily Show and Colbert Report on the Comedy Central website. I've been good with downloading everything thing else I would miss but there isn't that much I watched on TV that wasn't reruns, so I'm downloading some other shows I haven't completely watched before. I'm also renting movie from Tsutaya, the "culture convenience" store that rents movies and, interestingly enough, CDs. So if there's some J-pop you want me rip and send you I'll see what I can do.
Tsutaya actually has a really good selection of new and classic films (Darcy would be happy to know there's a silent film section), but apart from sections, it's hard to tell where to find something if you're looking for it. Now I'm just picking a few random movies that I heard were good or look like their good. Or are really old looking. Apparently, DVDs of American TV series are very popular in Japan, particularly 24. Frankly, I prefer to download my shows, so I'll probably just stick to that. Right now I have the first season of Masters of Horror downloaded and have found it mostly disappointing. I know Dario Argento can do better.
I went skiing yesterday, which was a lot of fun, and it was nice to just get out there and do something. Stil, it's been quite a while since I went skiing so it was a little choppy, though I got the basics down pretty quick. The weather on the mountain was quite crazy, ranging from very clear to completely closed in. I should also try to get my legs ready for next winter so I can ski longer without my legs feeling the strain. Still, I had a pretty good time and I was somehow able to get some rental boots for my giant feet.
I'm thinking of getting a DS (partially because Jordan nags me to get one and I'm a pretty malleable guy), but aside from Wario Ware and New Super Mario Bros., I'm not sure what to get. I hear Shonen Jump Stars is good, but will it be good as a one player. I'd like Eyeshield, but I'm tempted to wait until the next game in hopes that they add more stuff from the manga. Also, I can't read Japanese. Any ideas for games when I bite that bullet?
Anyway, I'll try to update more often (especially since I'm done those 2 back to back six day work weeks.
For work I was recently observed, which is never a comfortable experience. Still, it went by pretty painlessly. However, it doesn't look like my probationary period will end quite yet and I might have too wait another month or more.
Most of the students are really nice, and even the ones who are pains aren't too bad. The only real pain is this one guy who's in a much higher level than he deserves to be. He doesn't participate all that much either. It's like he's spaced out unless I'm giving him constant attention. In fact, he's one of the few cases where it might be better to have him and him alone in a class, simply because I can give him as much time to talk and stop him from nodding off.
There are students from all walks of life, but where I work seems particularly popular among older women. Most of them are pretty nice and are really interested in learning the language. But there are also people ranging from high school to their elder years. There's even one young kid from Jr. High, although he's incredibly quiet. Things, for the most part, are going pretty good on that end.
Oh, and I finally got my comics from home (and a box of KD) so now I got Astonishing X-Men, Day of Vengeance, Doom Patrol and Young Avengers to live off of for the month. I'm trying to stretch it out by reading a single chapter a night, which is almost painfully for more slowly paced books. I feel sorry for people who read certain monthly books. I was only able to find one place with English books (more than I thought, but less that was implied by my roommate). I had very little options so I just picked up the classic Heart of Darkness and Dragonball Vol. 10.
I've also been reading lots of manga, including Eyeshield 21, which is much better as a manga than an anime. I like the fact that even the series artist likes mocking the characters insane proportions (the artist points out that certain characters are ten feet tall but only during the games. I also recommend Eternal Sabbath (less generic than the title implies), My Name is Zushio (a little too hyper at times though), Mr. Fullswing (one again, sometimes a little too hyper) and Freesia.
I've been keeping up with my English TV, watching the Daily Show and Colbert Report on the Comedy Central website. I've been good with downloading everything thing else I would miss but there isn't that much I watched on TV that wasn't reruns, so I'm downloading some other shows I haven't completely watched before. I'm also renting movie from Tsutaya, the "culture convenience" store that rents movies and, interestingly enough, CDs. So if there's some J-pop you want me rip and send you I'll see what I can do.
Tsutaya actually has a really good selection of new and classic films (Darcy would be happy to know there's a silent film section), but apart from sections, it's hard to tell where to find something if you're looking for it. Now I'm just picking a few random movies that I heard were good or look like their good. Or are really old looking. Apparently, DVDs of American TV series are very popular in Japan, particularly 24. Frankly, I prefer to download my shows, so I'll probably just stick to that. Right now I have the first season of Masters of Horror downloaded and have found it mostly disappointing. I know Dario Argento can do better.
I went skiing yesterday, which was a lot of fun, and it was nice to just get out there and do something. Stil, it's been quite a while since I went skiing so it was a little choppy, though I got the basics down pretty quick. The weather on the mountain was quite crazy, ranging from very clear to completely closed in. I should also try to get my legs ready for next winter so I can ski longer without my legs feeling the strain. Still, I had a pretty good time and I was somehow able to get some rental boots for my giant feet.
I'm thinking of getting a DS (partially because Jordan nags me to get one and I'm a pretty malleable guy), but aside from Wario Ware and New Super Mario Bros., I'm not sure what to get. I hear Shonen Jump Stars is good, but will it be good as a one player. I'd like Eyeshield, but I'm tempted to wait until the next game in hopes that they add more stuff from the manga. Also, I can't read Japanese. Any ideas for games when I bite that bullet?
Anyway, I'll try to update more often (especially since I'm done those 2 back to back six day work weeks.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Phoning It In
Yep, it's a terrible post title all right, but appropriate, since I have very little too say.
I got a cell phone recently. Now I don't really like cell phones as it is, but I figured I pretty much had to get a phone while I'm here and everyone in Japan has a cell phone so....
Unfortunately, it turns out my phone has no bi-lingual option and changing the phone is a huge expensive chore. Frankly, the only thing I really wanted the phone for was the camera and now I don't know how to use it. Goddammit! *sigh*
I'm also starting to get a little bummed out, seeing as I have no friends here and there isn't much to do. I don't have a lot of money to spend right now, so I got to think about how to eat economically until the next payday and I'm still waiting for my comics to get to me.
So not much happening right now, but I thought you'd like the update.
I got a cell phone recently. Now I don't really like cell phones as it is, but I figured I pretty much had to get a phone while I'm here and everyone in Japan has a cell phone so....
Unfortunately, it turns out my phone has no bi-lingual option and changing the phone is a huge expensive chore. Frankly, the only thing I really wanted the phone for was the camera and now I don't know how to use it. Goddammit! *sigh*
I'm also starting to get a little bummed out, seeing as I have no friends here and there isn't much to do. I don't have a lot of money to spend right now, so I got to think about how to eat economically until the next payday and I'm still waiting for my comics to get to me.
So not much happening right now, but I thought you'd like the update.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
A Serious Parlor on a Serious Earth
Hey, you want to know where I live? You want to know?
That's right. I live above GOTHAM FUCKING CITY! YEAH!
I wanted to mention this much earlier but I wanted to wait until I got a picture. I forgot I took this shortly after I got here before my camera stopped working, but I also really wanted a good night shot when the place was lit up like Vegas.
You may have guess already but Gotham city is a pachinko parlor, pachinko being an extremely popular gaming device that combines the loudness of pinball and playing requires the skill usually reserved for one-armed bandits. That's right, pachinko is all this and more too. And by more I mean less. I assume. I actually haven't played pachinko so maybe there's a subtle element that I'm missing but I don't really like any game that requires luck and luck alone. If I can't at least attempt to help the outcome in my favour than I can't see the appeal. Which is why I was really surprised that there seemed to be a whole manga magazine centered around pachinko. And not just comedies but also competition manga. How can that not get old really fast. Sigh.
Anyway, I have not actually entered Gotham City yet, so I don't know what it's like, but peering in I get an idea: pretty much like any pachinko parlor. Just rows and rows of machines. Still, I guess I should enter one to get the whole feel, but I don't think I'll like it. Still, I did see an interesting machine that was part video game and part VLT so maybe I'll soften up on the whole thing (not that I have hard feelings towards them at this point).
But the point is I live above Gotham City. I mean, think about this. I begin the last leg of my journey home with a heavy-ass bag still nervous about the whole affair. I did see a red fox in a white snowy field, which I took to be a good sign (though I'm not sure I should, since the fox is a trickster in Japanese mythology). Then I get to the place I'll be spending the next year and find that I'll be living above Gotham City. I mean, I was seriously unsure if I followed the map wrong or what. It was a truly surreal experience and a somewhat surreal country. I guess I should have broken out my copy of The Dark Knight Returns and read through it that night, but at that time I was looking for something a little more upbeat than that so I started rereading Bone.
Now make no mistake, this place has "seeing how Batman-ish we can make this place without getting in trouble" written all over it. There are flags with the Batsymbol minus the ears and pictures that feature Batman's silhouette with a pointed head (and when I can I'll get pictures of those for you too, and maybe some from inside, if they'll let me). This place is like the pachinko parlor equivalent of those action figures that you find at dollar stores that are clearly knock-offs of a much more successful character. But this is a lot more fun because it's in big lights and it's a lot less thrown together looking than a cheap toy.
Now there are a couple other things that I feel I'll just have to take pictures of and show you (just telling you would not have the same impact), but this was the one that meant the most, so I figured I may as well get this one out of the way. By the way, a warning: any sort of Gotham City joke will be old by the time I get back home so don't bother.
Now, I'm more of a Marvel zombie and am always quick to point out that while I love super-hero comics, that's not the extent of my taste. Still, this makes me feel a little giddy, just knowing that those bat wings are flashing in on this snowy winter's night.
Sunday, February 04, 2007
I really wish the blog menus weren't in Japanese
I didn't think I'd be able to get back on to my blog. Well, it's been many moons since I last posted and I haven't had much time to go into detail. I guess there were a lot of weird small things that I wanted to remember for my first blog that never really stuck with me. Fewer things are around to strike me as strange then when I first came here. I don 't think it's just me getting used to the culture because I swear fewer things are talking to me. But I guess part of that is what part of town I wander into.
I promise to have some great pictures when I get a working camera (the one Dad sent with me is wonky at best), and trust me, there's some weird thing's you'll want to see.
Classes are going well though my first couple weeks where a little discouraging. I feel very confident that they're not going to fire me and that I'm getting much better as a teacher. Let me explain. Before I could teach I had to take On-The-Job training in Sapporo (a rather large city). I liked teaching but I still lacked confidence and at the end of the first three days they told me I needed another day. Then after that day they told me I'd be training more when I got back to Obihiro. Now I harbour a little resentment to the guy who told me this, but really he's a good guy. He's just the messenger is all, and I appreciate his honest and fair criticism. But it always feels so negative when he does. My roommate tells me thats just the way it is in Japan and that I shouldn't worry too much. Anyway, I feel that I'm getting better with each lesson and the students generally seem to like me. I do enjoy teaching and watching them learn, but I still need to refine my skills in the department of saying things in a concise and simple manner as possible. Not easy for a chatty cathy like myself, but I'm getting better.
I'm getting used to the food, which for the most part is noodles. Seriously, I'm eating a lot less rice than I expected. But part of that is that I didn't see rice at the grocery store (probably looking in the wrong place) and our rice cooker is really nasty dirty. I'm scared to clean it. I try to cook for myself, but only a few stir fries and a spaghettini (like thin spaghetti) dinner turned out well. I liked Tako Yaki at first but slowly I realised I liked everything about except a certain goop inside (the octopus part and the coating where great). Butadon is good (an Obihiro specialty), and I find that pretty much anything with noodles is enjoyable. Still, I will miss some of the food from back home, like decent pizza and anything with cheese (the cheese here is generally not good)
On work days I eat out (since I usually work nights) and generally get something from the food court downstairs, which is pretty OK. I also find that obento is a a somewhat decent price in the day but gets really cheap in the evening. Like 30% off stuff that's only about 6 bucks anyway. At the end of the evening you can see that there's quite a few discount stickers on them. Still, since the bento boxes have things crammed with preservatives (like, more than is legally allowed in Canada) it's better to go light on them.
At this point I am attempting to save this blog. Unfortunately, the blog site I'm on has a hiragana menu, so I might be posting this early. For that I'm sorry.
Edit: Dammit, I knew this would happen.
Anyhoo, I guess this post will end prematurely and I'll have a post with much juicier details than lunch sometime within the next few days.
I promise to have some great pictures when I get a working camera (the one Dad sent with me is wonky at best), and trust me, there's some weird thing's you'll want to see.
Classes are going well though my first couple weeks where a little discouraging. I feel very confident that they're not going to fire me and that I'm getting much better as a teacher. Let me explain. Before I could teach I had to take On-The-Job training in Sapporo (a rather large city). I liked teaching but I still lacked confidence and at the end of the first three days they told me I needed another day. Then after that day they told me I'd be training more when I got back to Obihiro. Now I harbour a little resentment to the guy who told me this, but really he's a good guy. He's just the messenger is all, and I appreciate his honest and fair criticism. But it always feels so negative when he does. My roommate tells me thats just the way it is in Japan and that I shouldn't worry too much. Anyway, I feel that I'm getting better with each lesson and the students generally seem to like me. I do enjoy teaching and watching them learn, but I still need to refine my skills in the department of saying things in a concise and simple manner as possible. Not easy for a chatty cathy like myself, but I'm getting better.
I'm getting used to the food, which for the most part is noodles. Seriously, I'm eating a lot less rice than I expected. But part of that is that I didn't see rice at the grocery store (probably looking in the wrong place) and our rice cooker is really nasty dirty. I'm scared to clean it. I try to cook for myself, but only a few stir fries and a spaghettini (like thin spaghetti) dinner turned out well. I liked Tako Yaki at first but slowly I realised I liked everything about except a certain goop inside (the octopus part and the coating where great). Butadon is good (an Obihiro specialty), and I find that pretty much anything with noodles is enjoyable. Still, I will miss some of the food from back home, like decent pizza and anything with cheese (the cheese here is generally not good)
On work days I eat out (since I usually work nights) and generally get something from the food court downstairs, which is pretty OK. I also find that obento is a a somewhat decent price in the day but gets really cheap in the evening. Like 30% off stuff that's only about 6 bucks anyway. At the end of the evening you can see that there's quite a few discount stickers on them. Still, since the bento boxes have things crammed with preservatives (like, more than is legally allowed in Canada) it's better to go light on them.
At this point I am attempting to save this blog. Unfortunately, the blog site I'm on has a hiragana menu, so I might be posting this early. For that I'm sorry.
Edit: Dammit, I knew this would happen.
Anyhoo, I guess this post will end prematurely and I'll have a post with much juicier details than lunch sometime within the next few days.
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