Was Superman Really that Super?

So we've all wished we could be Hiro Nakamura. That crazy but consistent Japanese time traveller from NBC's Heroes. We could control time and step forth into the realms of superherodom. Or do we really want this??? I just finished watching Clock Stoppers with yes Jesse Bradford of Hackers and Paula Garces of Dangerous Minds. The power was the ability to control time - what a thing. But amidst all of this something I even find myself today facing became a reality and that is fear. We are so powerful and it is amazing the things we can do or others can do through us, yet it is truly fear that topples us when it is time to move. Fear of rejection; fear of technology; fear of science; fear of failure; and yes fear of success. I'm sure there are hundreds more that could be listed. Zak had a choice to move forward or to watch what he valued disappear.

In Clock Stoppers as is true in life friends got through the fear. It wasn't about overcoming fear because there wasn't a choice, it was recognizing and being grateful for the helping hands that came when he wasn't ready. Carrying one another's burdens is the part that makes humanity most human. When I watched Zoom I felt it was recognizing the problems and our duty to step forth (yes I watch Zoom and I liked it alot thank you!).

On this quest to study superheroes I'm only finding two things consistent - the humanity living in the super and the super coming from the everyday humanity. Its great to see how we affect our world and the effect coming out of just one person stepping forth.

I just finished watching the 1st season of "Painkiller Jane". It sounds dark, but its about this woman who suddenly develops the ability to heal. She's never had this ability before, she cannot explain it - she's falling out a sky rise window and wakes up in the morgue. The healing is almost instantaneous but she still feels pain like we do so she needs lots of asprin (yes she's addicted to painkillers, but duh wouldn't you?). Jane is dark and looking for understanding in the world around her as she brings people to justice. Honestly I think this is what NBC intended when they created the cheerleader Claire Bennet on Heroes who seems almost too teenaged jaded.

Jane Vasko (Painkiller Jane) is a woman in her late 20's to early 30's who is a DEA agent turned government agent trying to find out why she heals while at the same time fearlessly jumping into situations her mortal teammates cannot. What hooked me was the end dialogs where Jane explains what she is feeling while commenting on the vary aspects of life we cannot address either through our political correctness or lack of vocabulary on the issues. I enjoyed the other characters around her: Riley, the computer nerd who is always trying to be more than just the computer guy; Connor, the tough guy ex-cop, ex-con hiding his emotions kind of guy who is in love with BOTH of his female teammates; Andre, the leader who seems like military, but anti-authority all at once; Maureen, the tough woman act, yet soft side Jane doesn't appear to have; Brian, her journalist boyfriend who seems to know Jane has a secret but then loses his train of thought.

It was creatively done in a character discovery sort of way and I am saddened by the announcement the first season is the last. What surprised me the most was a comment on the Scifi discussion groups classifying Eureka as "good" programing and Painkiller Jane as not. Well in an effort to find if there is any hope for other shows I'll be checking out the Bionic Woman next... (not as hopeful on this series)

The summer is nearer and nearer. Spider-man is out in less than 2 weeks (YIKES) and a bunch of superheroes prepare to make their way to the big screen again. I sit in my room surrounded by papers and tests and anxiety and what these heroes bring to me is hope. Hope there is something on the other side of my meaningless existence (not saying I'm meaningless but where I am right now feels hopeless with all this STUFF I have to focus on) and helpless situation as I hope to grad.

Spider-man's greatest enemy this summer will not be Sandman, Harry Osborne or Venom, but himself. Spider-man must fight the anger and frustration he hides inside. The world looks in fear at both the Autobots and the Descepticons as both sides can smash, though the Autobots choose to help mankind. The Fantastic Four are now an established superhero group who have to fight both Doom and Silver Surfer, though are fully not aware of the bigger danger of Galactus. All these aspects seem to be part of me right now.

I know I have enemies but the one who keeps me from truly doing good of late seems to be me. My progress is hindered; my chance to finish well impeded; a chance to stop evil stoped by the evil within. I fear both God and the Devil, yet I seemingly miss the opportunities to be part of something great everytime I stumble in the presence of the one who came to save me. Finally I'm buried in crap (so I hate school, sue me) and I keep fighting night after night after night. It just came to me last night - I'll be jobless on the other side of school, so last night I started job hunting with 1 week left of school.

Blah. Again these superheroes bring me hope and I turn and I try to think greater than me, yet keep being pulled back to the present where it seems helpless.

It dumbfounds me how comics I read as a kid, teen and even young adult are now making it to the big screen after years of taunting me about casting rumours, and producers coming out of the wood work to make my heroes in fiction heroes on the big screen. As a teen I remember seeing Batman (1989) for the first time and AWED by the mysterious darkness of Michael Keaton as Batman and the larger than lifeness of Superman when I saw Christopher Reeve play him in 1981.

Looking back I'm really disappointed with the 1989 Batman series as with the Punisher that came out during the 90's. The saving came in 2000 when X-Men broke into the market and shortly after Spiderman in 2002 and Hell Boy in 2004. DC got back on the map in 2005 with Batman Begins competing (and surpassing) Fantastic 4.

The comments I need to talk about start in 2004 with Punisher and this year with Ghost Rider (Both of them rated as R rated films). With the MPAA changing its rating system in the late 90's and movies like Star Wars beging downgraded from a PG to a G, I find it frightening that a movie, especially a comic movie, can get UPRATED to an R/PG14. Mind you these are some of the darker characters, yet Hellboy and Batman Begins were able to keep a PG 13 and they can carry some darker themes. I'm very confused as to why movie producers/directors would take teenaged themes and turn them into adult themes?

Unless they are trying to add to the weight of issues teens already have to deal with there is no rational explanation for it. I am undecided as to whether the movies are finally reaching the level of violence that already existed in the magazines I read as a kid or are the overall societal violence levels being more tollerated? I'm in mass turmoil right now, so all I can say is I couldn't bring myself to see Ghost Rider and Punisher, and there are parts of me that regret I went to see Constantine. In the same breath I'm glad I saw Constantine because I exposed myself (while educating myself in this gerational message) and made my decisions not to see Punisher and Ghost Rider stronger.

(Shrug) Who knows MPAA ratings, messages and such - I don't get them. I do know there is a trend to make the movies more violent through the argument of realism. I don't buy that as much as to match the violence levels that already exist in the comics. Thats my ramble for now.... Probably talking to you after Spidy 3 and Transformers for sure. Me out.........

Look, I know I talk about superheroes, society, lately alot about superhero movies, but I need to ask just who is the real superhero today? The banner answer for me should be "Jesus Christ" - see I'm a Christian and yeah I know that does mean much as religion can become a tag line in a person's resume and not have much content from what I've been seeing lately. The answer came to me tonight in a 17 year old girl I know. She was the superhero and I guess this night she was "Jesus Christ".

I was sitting at Tim Horton's denying the stack of papers on my desk and the inevidible deadlines with a group of great friends when in comes this broken girl with mangled hair, tears down her face and a constant anxious rocking. She was brought by a friend: they walked in and this girl was guided to sit over and beside us. Suddenly my friends became quiet and very aware that something out of the ordinary was happening; their fun became solemness, uncertainty and their attention became focussed on the girl who seemed out of place beside us. My friend was busy buying several sandwiches and juice, but more specifically a meal for someone who apparently hadn't eaten in a while and more importantly attention to someone who would become forgotten because it would be easier to than reach out and care. The coolest though was a major concern for her SPIRITUAL well being as well as personal care and physical support. The 2 girls turned to me and to be honest gave me a gift as they asked me to pray for this young lady.

Her history became only important in that RIGHT NOW she needed love and support as she chose to take come control over a life that was out of control (she looked to have spent many a night on the street and not in the best of conditions). She repeated over and over again "I have seen God", still we prayed for her well being for her strength, for her ability to deal with her circumstances as she learned about God and who he was. Jesus right at that moment was alive in my friend as she looked beyond what so many people try not to see. She willingly provided food, shelter, emotional support. She gave back this young woman a name and a place to stay (though I do not know where that place was going to be as they left). I have to say I was so greatful to see a hero alive at that moment. I regret it wasn't me but am grateful that I was reminded that it is possible and as easy as caring for what I see in front of me.

Ghost Rider just released ANOTHER trailer this week. WOW! Yes Eva Mendes looks pretty, but watching that flaming bike always gives me chills. The villains look pretty intense too.

Spiderman 3 trailer just got released (FINALLY). Now Spidy 3 has a whole new story. Peter meets the real killer of Uncle Ben, gets some super power help from a symbiote, and has to balance his love life with Mary Jane with his attempt to rekindle with Harry Osborne. This info all comes from teaser sites, but WATCH THE TRAILER WHEW! It was an intense 2:32. I can't wait for Spring when movies all come out.

I did the test 3 times and each time came up the same... I think the height part is rigged :P
Oh well try it and get back to me how you scored....

Jon Favreau Speaks out on Iron Man... listen to this podcast if you don't believe me - HE REALLY SAID IT! Jon Favreau's Podcast click here

WOW I was moved by this interview... WOW! Jon spoke about his growth as a director in Swingers (humble beginnings) to Elf (2003) where he proved what he could do to Zathura (2005) where he showed true special effects. Now he has the room as a director to Ironman where there will be more money but he still needs to watch his spending. Favreau shows that the dogfights need to be more " we don't look at Stealth we look at Top Gun" restrain everybody so the shots of the special effects are more possible and believable. "Its what you don't choose to do that makes it more practical and believable" :P I so agree with you Jon!

Anyway its a must hear and I hope I'm as happy with the film as I am with his respect for the technology and the restraints that mimic practical photography. If you aren't used to me yacking on a cool idea sorry and I'm sorry if you feel I violated the heart of this superhero site.

J. Out

I have to say I'm alittle let down in the choice to cast Robert Downie Jr as Tony Stark or better known as Iron Man. He was good in NBK and Chaplain, but I just don't see him as a Billion Dollar tech genius with a drinking problem (I'm sure they had his coke problem in mind when they cast him as such). Maybe he did a voice for the Red and Yellow suit, but who knows what these guys are thinking...

On the other hand the idea of a joker batman face off for the 2nd movie makes me very excitied. Heath Ledger vs Christian Bale... can sink your teeth into that line - specially when they are basing their joker on "The Killing Joke" which is a VERY dark yet wild Joker.

I'm even MORE excited that Ghost Rider is ready for the spring and they just finished filming Transformers - maybe I need to start saving money for my addiction of comic films ;)

This summer I acquired as many Batman (1966, TAS, NAS, Beyond & THE BATMAN) episodes as I could. I also seemed to have gained the pilot for Mercy Reef (Aquaman), Justice League (& Unlimited), Spider-man (TAS, Unlimited, & NAS), X-Men (TAS & Evolution), the Ultimate Avengers (1 & 2), and Teen Titans. Wow I think I like superheroes. Did I mention I'm in the middle of trying to get all the Dark Angel :)

This consumer heart needs to be curbed but there is something facinating with all the different fiction that I can just watch and be sucked into the lore of these heroes - even if I have the pathetic Teen Titans theme almost memorized now 8-) ...

So I think I need a new set of eyeballs and a new brain (one for my fiction exploration and another for reality), but other than that I'm just fine.

Wow it is an exciting time if you love Warner Brothers and DC Comics. Wonderwoman, Flash, Batman, Superman, the Watchmen, Zantana, etc... DC is getting back into the game and seriously this time.

Joss Whedon is on board for directing and he did a fab job with Buffy the Vampire Slayer and I think he'll bring real character to the movie. Hopefully he'll have something to say about the script too! This is a different sort of movie unlike what movie goers have seen and I'm certain it will be different than the old TV series with Linda Carter.

Flash is on the go with Ryan Renolds cast to be flash. After seeing the TV series in the 90's I'm reluctant and scared of what another film will look like. Giving bit roles to Flash and keeping him as a character who we see for humour or when super speed is needed.

Batman with Christian Bale. Finally a dark messed up character to portray a dark film. Hopefully keeping with equally messed characters who stay within their comic existence (no more MUTANT Penguin or Arnold Mr Freeze!). There are so many ways to make Batman but dark and psychologically messed is the easiest way to be realistic.

Superman is back with a whimper. I say this because the franchaise has been blared in front of us since Lois & Clark. Dean Cain made a nice unsure actor, but the whole thing was a bit over the top.... Didn't you love every minute of it? Now we have Smallville all weird and quacky and I'm so watching it tonight! Now a new Superman, Kevin Spacey - actor extraordinaire as Lex Luther, Routh with a whole new Clark. I'm looking forward to Bryan Singer's interpretation of such a classic... I'm almost ready to go out and buy up the sets of Christopher Reeve's Superman!

That leaves us with a few oddballs like Zantana and the Watchmen. I'm sceptical, but anything is better than the Catwoman that just came out... Too bad we won't see Halley Berry in a DC film for a while because of it.

Yeah! Warner seems back in the game. Lets hope they take it serious this time and don't go all cooky. These films have great potential and well Wonderwoman and Flash totally can surprise me :D I'm expecting BIG things from Batman and Superman since they are the flagships of DC. Bring on an Aquaman, Green Lantern Corps or Green Arrow just because these series are just awesome!

Today I saw Constantine for the first time - the movie based on the Hellblazer comic. It really blew me away the level of detail taken into consideration. Hellblazer is about a Hell bound guy who is trying to earn his way into heaven by sending demons back to hell. He feels caught in a battle between Satan and God and is slowly dying of lung cancer from his smoking. He is almost annoyed about his circumstance more than compelled to be involved.

Theologically is was a blur of theologies - Catholicism, Protestantism, Satanism, Hedonism, and a touch of Black Magic. We see the Catholic Church in a losing battle to the demonic world while for the first time fighting to help people in a positive light. We see both sides of Satanism the serious cultic practices with demons and the humoring mocking of the devil and God. We see hedonism as just living it up "'We eat, we drink, the next day we die' and that's all there is to it". We see a Christian call to salvation through God through receiving grace and not by works and we see Black Magic yielding and being weak to the powers of darkness.

The ultimate point comes of course at the climax where Constantine discovers God's grace as he discovers what Jesus said - "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat - I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is not help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self." I won't tell you the end but it leaves room for a sequel as Jesus didn't come back during the film and the film recognized the sanctity of Jesus.

What moved me most about this film is John Constantine is the most anti-hero I've ever seen on film. He hates his powers. He hates God, the devil and the demons and angels equally - only he feels called to help people when he can't help himself. The film grows as we watch the world he lives in that makes what a Batman, Daredevil, or Hulk look luxurious. Constantine must delve into the spirit world in order to solve cases and recognizes both God and the Devil are ones to fear. What we later discover is his doubt in actually trusting God that keeps him from taking a side and the irony is the Angel Gabriel still thinks that he/she (androgenous) has influenced Constantine's choice in the end.

I still remember the day that they killed Superman. Crash Test Dummies range through the halls of DC Comics (a subsiduary of Warner Brothers Media) "Superman never made any money, saving the world from Solomon Grundy". Why did DC comics feel this insistent need to kill the grandfather of modern comics and probably the best known superhero in North America. He was so popular that of course DC would later break Batman's back and try to kill off practically everyone else in a strange story line to bring all their comics to an unusual end and start them all over with the original DC heroes back.

Now I go to the most popular holiday and I mean popular - merchandisers, restaurants, and PEOPLE put tonnes of money into this holiday - next to Christmas, New Years, and Easter. I'm talking of Valentines Day where kids spend money on corney cards for each of their class mates, family members remember their family for the only other day of year they are required to, and loved ones - yes the loved ones - spend exuberant amounts on each other.

I have both loved and hated this holiday so many times that I find it interesting I'm numb this year. Yes there is someone I wish I could spend it with, but with my mixed feelings I don't want to ruin the holiday for her at the same time. That and I'm broke - so playing the full Valentines Day game like Christmas requires dough $$$$. But don't let me stop you from celebrating your love and passion for each other - many will tell you (because they are single) that it is "Single Awareness Day" but is every day! Because of abused love many think that passion and love should not be in the same sentence but I think it should even more be included in the same sentence.

We need for the hero to come through and on this day, yes the couple is the hero. Successful relationships ready to stand the test of time. Shared tears of joy and pain, laughter of lunacy and dark humor, or the screams of chasing the other around with a wet towel - these are all required for a lifetime of love and if one day a year brings this love back, single or not I can support that!

I am waiting in anticipation of the complete series of the Tick cartoon. This cartoon really defined superheroes for my early young adult years as here was a guy who had no idea how to be a superhero, yet went out against every villain expecting to defeat them - regardless how rediculous the villain may seem.

We get to see other superheroes (many personalities stolen from movies from 1987-1994) of others trying to do the same thing while struggling with their personal lives. The Tick seems to counter this with only one personae and that is himself just as a superhero. His sidekick Arthur falls into the same traps that the other heroes do being human in a moth suit and wanting all the things that we want in our everyday lives.

The episode that to this day I can't get out of my head is when the Tick gets his battle cry. While at the coffee shop talking with the other heroes they tell him to think of the most fearsome thing he can and use it when he charges. Well the Tick sees his own reflection in a spoon and falls backwards in surprise, so that when he charges he raises his hand, points and yells at the top of his lungs "SPOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!"

The Tick was also continually learning as at the end of each episode he would reflect on what he learned which was completely different from what the audience learned and secretly taught us 2 lessons. 1) The lesson that was to be learned through the plot and storyline and always 2) there is many perspectives and each of us will take somethng different out of a given situation. K now to get out of the metasocial attack and just admit I liked the Tick because it was goofy and mind numbing at the same time.

SPOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!

The first comic I remember having was one of the Justice League of America. Universes of heroes were together celebrating their success at protecting the world when a group of super vilans (thats the rule you can't have a super hero without his counterpart) plotted on what it would take to take out the best superheroes and put them into stasis. Eventually the rest of the superheroes would be defeated too and the world would belong to the vilains. The names were big names for their time: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Latern, Black Canary, the Flash, Firestorm, Hawkman and Atom.

As a teen I collected Spider-man, Hulk, Daredevil, Superman, Batman, X-Force, X-Men, New Warriors, and Star Wars

Since then I've moved on to other comics: The Tick, Mystery Men, Freakazoid, and heroes who can laugh at themselves. What I have learned about being a hero from all of them is that there is responsibility with whatever you have been giving, sometimes good and bad becomes the choice of better and best, it may appear easier to go at it alone - yet there is no accounting for a good friend, and as much as you may want you cannot forget your past, but only make a new future.