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Brainiac On Banjo: Another Brightest Day

Brainiac On Banjo: Another Brightest Day

Posted on by Mike Gold

You put your whole self in. You put your whole self out. You put your whole self in and you shake it all about. You do the Hokey Pokey and you turn around. That’s what it’s all about! From The Hokey Pokey, written by Charles P. Macak, Larry Laprise and Taft Baker.

Now that the first season of Lanterns is reaching end times, I think it’s time for me to put in my two cents on the most important controversy of the day, the “this is not MY Hal Jordan” issue.

First of all, to quote William Shatner’s most famous utterance, get a life. Your childhood remains unaltered. Nobody is shitting on those thrilling days of yesteryear you remember so vividly. Given that I’m not in a position to carbon date all the whiners, I am compelled to ask which Hal Jordan are you talking about? Continue reading “Brainiac On Banjo: Another Brightest Day” →

Brainiac On Banjo: “And We Have — A Hulk”

Brainiac On Banjo: “And We Have — A Hulk”

Posted on by Mike Gold

“I want a world without gravity. It could be just what I need. I’d watch the stars move close. I’d watch the earth recede.” From Wicked Gravity, written by Jim Carroll.

Wikipedia defines Pet Peeve thusly: A pet peeve, pet aversion, or pet hate is a minor annoyance that an individual finds particularly irritating to a greater degree than the norm. Okay. Here’s my pet peeve.

From time to time, just about every person realizes they belong to at least one group that has been heavily discriminated against, and most of us belong to several. That is not my peeve. People who think that every comment about some act performed by a member of such a group is an insult or even an attack against all members of such group. That is my pet peeve. You can be a left-handed deaf German immigrant who wears moth-eaten lederhosen, and I may comment on your particular costuming, but that is not a comment upon on all left-handed, deaf German wearers of lederhosen.

Case in point: Mark Ruffalo, actor, activist, and Glamour magazine’s two-time sexiest actor alive. Nice guy, great actor (then again; some think Dean Cain can act), solid sense of humor, and, yup, he’s The Hulk. MAGAts do not like anyone to the left of Kevin Sorbo.

Like a majority of those who labor in our entertainment industries, Ruffalo is opposed to Paramount Skydance’s nearly finalized purchase of Warner Bros — the movie studios, the teevee studios, the cable holdings including CNN, and DC Comics. Paramount Skydance already owns Paramount, including CBS News. Already, they have crapped on their news operations by turning CBS into another redundant voice of fascism, ruining the reputation of the Tiffany Network, destroying the news division’s credibility along with the most honored American television news program, 60 Minutes. Where Paramount Skydance is concerned, you are no longer watching the CBS eye. The eye is watching you. Continue reading “Brainiac On Banjo: “And We Have — A Hulk”” →

So Long and Thank For The Fish, Man #116: Prelude to the Finale of the End of The Boys

So Long and Thank For The Fish, Man #116: Prelude to the Finale of the End of The Boys

Posted on by Marc Alan Fishman

Having enjoyed the absolute heck out of Wonder Man, and recently catching up with Invincible and Daredevil: Broody Blind Guy Pants Alot… there was only one other comic-centric property to tick the box on my “late spring second screening” tour: The Boys. And here, on the precipice of the series finale of the streaming gore fest, I thought I’d check in with some thoughts. 

First, let’s cover the business end. The show itself is an adaptation of the comic by Garth Ennis and Darrick Robertson, which debuted back in 2006. It lasted six issues with the DC imprint Wildstorm, before being picked up to complete a seventy-two issue run with Dynamite Entertainment — who gave Ennis and Robertson the freedom to let the disgusting jokes, insane violence, and deep-cut cynicism flow like water. In 2015, Seth Rogan, Evan Goldberg, and Eric Kripke signed the paperwork to adapt the comic into a streaming series. The show itself was picked up in 2017, and debuted in 2019 on Amazon Prime. On Wednesday, May 20th, the series ended — most likely with as much Hollywood blood as Jeff Bezos can afford. 

For those not in-the-the-know? I’m not going to try to pitch you the series, nor waste words recapping the thirty-nine episodes therein. Simply put: if you ever wanted to see what the MCU would feel like if it occurred in our world as led by Donald Trump? This is about the most logical, sensible, and honest take on superheroes you’ll ever find. It’s obnoxious, gory, horny, celebrity-focused, and there’s barely half a dozen people in the entire show who themselves are abject absolute pricks. If that’s your cuppa? Welcome home. For the rest? Best be on your way and I’ll catch you down the road. Continue reading “So Long and Thank For The Fish, Man #116: Prelude to the Finale of the End of The Boys” →

So Long and Thank For The Fish, Man #115: WWE, We Need to Talk.

So Long and Thank For The Fish, Man #115: WWE, We Need to Talk.

Posted on by Marc Alan Fishman

WWE, buddy. Have a seat. No, no, don’t run for the door. This needs to happen. I know you’re busy! What with your WWE Backlash PPV absolutely being panned across the web, fan sentiment falling faster than Doink’s pants once did, and your mothership becoming (somehow) even more hated than Vince McMahon. But, c’mon kid. You’re in a safe space. It’s time we go ahead and address a few things. Clear the air. And yes… this is your Performance Improvement Plan. 

Let’s go ahead and warm things up a bit with what you’re doing right, mmk?

I know it’s creating a bit of controversy among certain former colleagues of ours online… but I’m going to commend you thus far on your use of Danhausen. He’s moving plenty of merch. His pairing with Miz right out of the gate was a smart first feud. I’m going to warn you though… don’t blow this. The match at Backlash was getting some pre-show buzz with the thought of Mr. Hausen tagging with any number of stars not on the bill that night. With only five (!) matches on the card, you had stars like Oba Femi, Joe Hendry, Je’Von Evans, or Pepsi Phil himself, CM Punk all without anything to do on a nice Saturday night. Instead, you continued this narrative of Danhausen’s minhausens. I hate to be the bearer of bad news here… Dan is over. The minis? Not so much. It’s playing to the kids a bit much, and while I applaud the attempt? Danhausen is peak when he has more to play off of. And hey… much love to El Torito. He’s an amazing performer. But the dime store gear looked awful, and it slid the match into the kind of “ha ha” that you’re not needing. 

And hey, kid. Good job with putting over Bron Breakker and Trick Williams. They are both young, with a ton of upside. Letting them beat some ring vets like Rollins and Zayn helps them continue to establish themselves — and sets us up for hopefully some new storylines. 

Giving Iyo Sky and Asuka proper time to tell a great story in the ring was also a nice play. Good on you. And while you’re being coy as to whether or not this was the curtain call for The Empress of Tomorrow… I’m sure we’ll know soon enough. She’s got a hall of fame career, and you did right by her. No notes.

I’ll get to Roman Reigns in a bit. He’s part of a much larger concern we need to discuss.  Continue reading “So Long and Thank For The Fish, Man #115: WWE, We Need to Talk.” →

With Further Ado #395: Student Winner #4 -Tessa Dill and The Hannah Montana Craze: Twenty Years Later

With Further Ado #395: Student Winner #4 -Tessa Dill and The Hannah Montana Craze: Twenty Years Later

Posted on by Ed Catto

I’m so pleased to announce that that this year’s ITHACON was another rousing success. It’s a unique convention. Bill Turner, Carmelo Merlo and the Comic Book Club of Ithaca have been running this one for 49 years. Next year will be a big one!

In my day job, as a professor at Ithaca College’s School of Business, I teach the Promoting and Managing ITHACON Class. The students learn about trade shows and work hard to actually run the convention.

Every year we embrace this annual tradition, writing about fandom, conventions, or their experience with the With Further Ado column. Each spring, I ask the students to submit a column on pop culture as if they were the author of this space. Our crack editorial staff pours over the submissions and selects a winner, and they get published on the Pop Culture Squad website.

Anyway, we have several amazing columns to publish this year.

Our third runner-up winner of this year’s fill-in columnist contest is Tessa Dill. She’s written a fantastic essay on Hannah Montana. Of note, she was part of our crack Registration Team at the convention this year. Congrats and thanks for all the hard work managing ITHACON this spring, Tessa.

* * *
The Hannah Montana Craze: Twenty Years Later
by Tessa Dill

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Hannah Montana, which is crazy for someone who grew up watching Disney Channel in the late 2000s. The era of sparkly jackets, catchy theme songs, and a blonde wig disguise is now officially old enough to be nostalgic. Continue reading “With Further Ado #395: Student Winner #4 -Tessa Dill and The Hannah Montana Craze: Twenty Years Later” →

So Long and Thank For The Fish, Man #113: Wonder(ful) Man

So Long and Thank For The Fish, Man #113: Wonder(ful) Man

Posted on by Marc Alan Fishman

While attempting to enjoy the new season of Daredevil: Not So Foggy, I hit the wall. I didn’t see that the current season was being rolled out weekly…because I accidentally started it when four episodes were live. Frustrated, I turned back to the main hallway of Marvel offerings on Disney+ to find something already completed that I could successfully binge in my normal “one a night until I’m done” method. Staring back at me first? Wonder Man.

Prior to clicking into the eight-part miniseries from the prestige micro-brand within the MCU (“Marvel Spotlight”) my knowledge of the actual comic book hero was as thin as the newsprint he was printed on. I knew he had nebulous ion-based superpowers that always made him sound way more powerful than he was ever depicted. I knew he was a West Coast Avenger — making him as valuable as a designated hitter on a National League team in 1983. I vaguely recall him being an actor. And that wrapped up my entire knowledge of the character. Let’s go.

After the first episode credits rolled, I went ahead and pressed “skip credits” to consume the next thirty minutes of story. And then again. Keep in mind kiddos: I typically will not binge a series in this manner. Ever. One-a-night has served me well ever since my home-with-gout Breaking Bad overdose marathon of 2014 (I was a late-comer to that series too). Something about this well-crafted carefully executed superhero farce simply compelled me to over-indulge instead of politely dosing out the enjoyment. Continue reading “So Long and Thank For The Fish, Man #113: Wonder(ful) Man” →

So Long and Thank For The Fish, Man 111: My Irrational Hatred of Jane Wickline

So Long and Thank For The Fish, Man 111: My Irrational Hatred of Jane Wickline

Posted on by Marc Alan Fishman

When I last wrote about Saturday Night Live, it was 2019. The show’s cast back then was led by stalwarts Kenan Thompson (the ever-living), Kate McKinnon, Cecily Strong, Aidy Bryant, and a lively crew of other decently-rounded sketch performers. I’d denoted even then that my personal proclivities as to the show’s success or failure rate had started to err towards a grouchier side. But go back and reread me; I wasn’t an old man yelling at the clouds… yet.

Well, I am now.

After drudging through the fifteenth episode of this, the 51st season of the NBC lynchpin of comedy (on Sunday morning, like the rest of us olds), I found myself yet-again leaving rage-baity comments on video after video. Recognizing that this propensity for ill-will after every single sketch finally permeated my thick skull, I rushed to an empty Google Doc to capture my sinful confession for you all. 

I don’t really like SNL anymore, and should stop watching it. It’s no longer for me. 

I pulled up the cast list, and realized I had an overt hot take on every single one: Continue reading “So Long and Thank For The Fish, Man 111: My Irrational Hatred of Jane Wickline” →

Brainiac On Banjo: “What Fools These Mortals Be!”

Brainiac On Banjo: “What Fools These Mortals Be!”

Posted on by Mike Gold

“They hurt you at home and they hit you at school. They hate you if you’re clever and they despise a fool ’til you’re so fucking crazy you can’t follow their rules.” From Working Class Hero, written by John Lennon.

I am not a fan of corporate bureaucracy. It is always counter-productive. It is the enemy of creativity and productivity. Sadly, it also is as predictable as a coal miner’s cough.

There are few folks operating in the comics racket more deserving of praise and acknowledgement than Mike Richardson, co-founder and publisher, until last week, of Dark Horse Comics. He was publisher for FORTY years, which might very well be the American record. Marvel/Timely/Atlas founder Martin Goodman held his gig for only a third of a century, and whereas Bill Gaines was the publisher at EC Comics and Mad Magazine for forty-five years. I’ll leave it to those with an attention span longer than mine to determine if that makes him the longest-lived comic book publisher or just a magazine publisher with a bottomless sense of humor and a terrific appreciation of line art.

A whole slew of us started making and distributing new comic books back in the early 1980s — a time when there was Marvel and DC and Archie and Paragon… and damn little else. Great old stalwarts such as Gold Key (Whitman), Harvey and Charlton already had gone blooie at least once or, if extant, were coughing up blood. But back then the comic book store had become a real thing and publishers, old and new, could sell their wares directly to those outlets without having to take returns on unsold copies. DC Comics’ honcho Paul Levitz once stated that you’d have to be a fool to screw that up. Continue reading “Brainiac On Banjo: “What Fools These Mortals Be!”” →

So Long and Thank For The Fish, Man 109: Scrubbing Back In

So Long and Thank For The Fish, Man 109: Scrubbing Back In

Posted on by Marc Alan Fishman

In my forty four years orbiting the sun, I have consumed a rather large mountain of content. Be it comic book, youtube video, literary work, film, long-playing cassette tape, CD, MP3, or television show… to wad it up and assign it a value? A nerdsworth seems fitting. According to the TikToks that flood my feed, my undiagnosed adult onset ADHD has likely pushed a comfort series or two upon my addled mind. (TikTok? I feel seen. Thank you.)

When it comes to the mélange of media I metaphorically masticate, nothing has been a repeat meal more than Scrubs. By my estimate, I have watched the original series run of 182 episodes around ten complete times. Yes, that includes the oft-maligned final season — which even series creator Bill Lawrence would denote the desire to either remove from canon or denote it as a failed spin-off. But bad Scrubs (to me) is akin to cold pizza… it’s really never bad-bad. But I digress.

When word came down from on high that there would be a continuation of the series — not a “reboot”, not a “retcon”, nor a “re-imagining” —, I was excited, but perhaps a bit terrified. The fact is, the season eight My Finale (part 2) ended things so astoundingly well I didn’t want to see the show dust itself off. What was said was poignant, hopeful, and so of itself that there wasn’t room to keep going without treading back over the same waters. Luckily, Bill Lawrence doesn’t have access to my dream journal (it also features a unicorn, but his name isn’t Justin. It’s Poppyseed.) They went ahead and brought Scrubs back for a new season (on ABC, and Hulu the next day). 

The story itself picks up some twenty years after we left Sacred Heart the last time. Spoilers from here on out on the first two episodes to drop thus far. Over the course of twenty-two minutes, Lawrence and crew reset the table:

JD left the hospital after he and Elliott couldn’t make their marriage work. He became a suburban concierge doctor — handing out pills, taking temps, and making bank. Elliott stayed at the hospital. Turk, now Chief of Surgery, deals with 3 daughters at home… and clear ennui at Heart. Carla remains the same mother hen she’s always been (so far…), and Dr. Cox? Greyer. No less acerbic. And by the end of My Return, he’s stepped down to pass the torch of Chief of Medicine over to Dr. John Dorian.  Continue reading “So Long and Thank For The Fish, Man 109: Scrubbing Back In” →

With Further Ado #382: I Spy with My Little Eye… I Spy

With Further Ado #382: I Spy with My Little Eye… I Spy

Posted on by Ed Catto

There’s a lot to watch. There’s so much new stuff (and I am way behind in Poker Face) and there’s so many classics to catch up on too.

Spurred on by Titan Books’ excellent biography Sergio Leone and the Revolution of the Western by the author called Amazing Ameziane (see WFA# 377 for my review), I started the year off watching The Good, The Bad and Ugly. I’m planning on watching the other two pictures in this trilogy before the spring.

I’m not sure if I am on a western kick, but I also recently enjoyed Bandoleros! It’s a 1968 western about two brothers. Jimmy Stewart plays the older, supposedly more responsible, one. Dean Martin plays the outlaw brother in search of a fine woman and simple domesticity. (It was surprising when the two brothers talked about how nice it would be, one day, to become grandparents.) Racquel Welch plays the beautiful woman. That wasn’t too much of a stretch for her.

The other night, I stumbled upon another old classic. It was an episode of I Spy. This show is offered at no additional cost after you’ve paid your annual ransom to Amazon Prime. The ‘60s series stars Robert Culp and Bill Cosby as undercover, world-traveling spies and it is outstanding. Clever plots, cheeky dialog, and lots of on-location filming. Continue reading “With Further Ado #382: I Spy with My Little Eye… I Spy” →