Thursday, August 13, 2009

crisis pains and rants

The crisis on infinite earths in 1985 was great because of its pioneer values. "Worlds will live, worlds will die, and the universe will never be the same". Hell of a line. Then came the entire Infinite crisis mega event in 2006 and that wasn't too bad. it was very good infact, especially the way the story was built up in all the DC titles over the preceding year, which got an explosive start with 'identity crisis", my all time favorite "event". Then came Final crisis, written by Grant Morrisson. Well Grant, you did exactly what i was afraid you would do. Take a huge universe affectiong story and fuck it up with bad story telling. I have not yet finished reading the 7 issue series, will start reading the last part infact, but the only issue i have liked so far is DC Universe Zero, which Grant co-wrote with Geoff Johns (my hero!!). Grant always has trouble with large scale stories. I noticed it in his JLA days, but there he had only around 7 characters to deal with and so succeeded in telling some good stories. But with crisis, his weaknesses shine out like the light from the green lantern power battery. Characters come and go without explanation, events happen which don't make sense, the story shifts from one focus to another without any link -- its all rubbish. Its very sad really, because Grant is a great writer. He should have just worked on the basic story and let Johns handle the breakdown and actually dialogues. For example, Johns wrote the accompanying story for Final Crisis -- Legion of 3 worlds. It has hundreds of characters, multiple planets and timelines and yet IT ALL MAKES SENSE. I am LOVING this storyline. All the incarnations of the legion come together to kick superman-prime'r butt and alnog the way we are treated to amazing moments and revelations, just like the Sinestro Corps War.


Geoff Johns, you da man. Grant Morrison, go back to writing single character books.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Conan and I, and other stories

Conan O'Brien is growing on me. And I think he's definitely going to end up apologizing to former Pres Clinton for his comments about how in the year 3000 he will go to a N.Korean massage parlor to discuss his release after negotiating the release of two female journalists :P And I also think his take on the Clunkers for Cash program is hilarious. Even better is HIS version of the program! The guy wants to find the worst car in America and give the owner a Lexus hybrid! He may not be a genius, but he tries, and in my books, that's good enough. Plus, genius is overrated. And in our country, it's over-overrated. Seriously, how many times did you hear that the 'first boy/girl' in your class was a genius? Probably all through your school life. But is s/he REALLY a genius? Afraid not. They turned out to be just like everyone else, methinks (if not worse). Not their fault. Bangladeshi school systems are proponents of 'mukhosto biddai shokol bidda', and anyone who manages to memorize pages and pages of textbook print end up being 'brilliant students'. Someone pointed out to me how this promotes plagiarism and wards off original thought and creativity. All I can say is, I completely agree.


I also wonder why are the Jonas Brothers so popular. Is it because people generally like to have idols to look up to? Or are they genuinely good musicians? They're on Conan and they seem like nice kids, but given how much clout they have, I wonder if they realize how they can shape the mindset of the young ones that idolize them. But then, they're probably too young to take responsibily for anything. Or too dumb.

Good day for Hispanics, today. I'm indifferent, but I see that many people are elated. Interesting is how both Obama and Sonia (yes, I'm on first name basis with them) have similar backgrounds, and how they worked hard to get on top. Hard work really pays off, appears to be the message that they're sending out (whoever they are). But I think people also need luck. Hard work and a little bit of luck = the magic formula for success. So, good luck to everyone who's reading this, and myself :)

Till later, be good.