Here it is…My DC Relaunch List (My Top/Bottom 10)

Alright, so we’re about 2 weeks or so from the highly-anticipated (is that the word I want to use?) DC Comic’s Relaunch.  Well since I’ve already given my two cents on the whole issue already, I’m going to let the world know just which titles I’m looking forward to the most and which titles I’m a little worried about or aren’t interested in.  So, them’s the rules and here we go…

The 10 DCnU titles I’m most excited to read…

10.  This is my last choice huh?  Oooo this is tough.  And just because one of them didn’t make my top 10 doesn’t mean it won’t become one of my top 10 as the series go on.  But I’m going to have to go with Suicide Squad.  Essentially, they look like the closest thing to Secret Six without actually being the Secret Six.  People have been freaking out over Harley’s getup, but come on…IT’S HARLEY!!!  She’s crazy and leading Deadshot and what can only be described as a Giant Shark (I know, I know, it’s King Shark) into well…suicide missions.

9.  Wonder Woman:  Dear God this woman needs a fresh start.  When was the last time she had a solid run?  (Gail Simone’s run???)  Anyway, I’ve wanted to see Diana for the warrior she is supposed to be.  I’m going to guess that DC wants to take that route and hopefully that’s where it’s headed.

8.  Green Arrow:  Apparently I have an affinity for green…maybe it goes with my eyes, but nevertheless, Oliver Queen has been an underrated badass for quite some time now.  I’m thinking the Emerald Archer should be a fun and exciting read.

7.  Grifter:  I’m not going to lie to you (Would you care if I did?), I can’t give you a solid answer.  Although, I’m looking at it as a new character (Yes, I’m fully aware he was in WildStorm) to me and an interesting one at that.  This one might actually be judged by its cover, but it intrigues me.

6.  Green Lantern:  Since Rebirth, I’ve been hooked on Green Lantern.  That’s really all the reasoning I need to keep on board Oa’s Emerald train.

5.  Demon Knights:  You know why?  Because I’ve always wondered about vigilantism in a different time period.  Etrigan has never been a favorite of mine, but this should be extremely interesting as it looks like DC is going to entertain science fiction and a little fantasy.  Oh and there’s swords and stuff…

4.  The Savage Hawkman:  Well, he’s Savage now, sooo maybe that leads to badassery?  I do feel like this title is also a sleeper that is going to jump Mr. Hall up the ranks of the Justice League and the Big 4? (Big 4 as in Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern…these are DC’s primary characters aren’t they?)

3.  The Fury of Firestorm:  Yes people, the Fury of Firestorm.  All I know is that they are walking nuclear bombs…is that not enough to entice anyone to read?  Well that and I used to read it way back when.

2.  Deathstroke:  Why Slade Wilson you ask?  Well, maybe it’s because I don’t feel there isn’t enough that we know about this man.  They say Deadpool was a direct response to Deathstroke, but that’s quite clearly not the truth.  Two totally different characters in two totally different worlds.  The similarities?  Same last name and same occupation, otherwise complete opposites.  Bottom line is that I want to see Deathstroke thrive and I want to see a new A-list villain that isn’t the Joker or Lex Luthor (Not knocking them, just saying, sheesh).

1.  Bat-Family:  A little obvious?  I know this includes 10 different titles, but I can’t help it, I’m just that big of a Bat-fan.  However, I can rank these in order of intrigue through my eyes.

11.  Birds of Prey:  I’m all about the Bat-Family so I’m still psyched about this more than the rest.  My issue is…I don’t know what to expect with these girls.

10.  Batwing:  Ok, I’ll nip it in the bud.  I’m not racist.  I just never got to read about this guy in Batman, Inc.  He could be great, and again I’m sure it will be, just seems like a Black Panther type.  That’s a good thing though.

9.  Catwoman:  By now, I’m thinking I look racist and sexist.  Not at all…I’m ready for Selina in her own series.  I just hope it can go the distance.

8.  Batman:  My favorite character comes in here because he’s solid and I’m expecting it to continue, simply not the most exciting title.

7.  Nightwing:  Dick gets his old namesake back.  I love it…I wonder if he’s going back to Bludhaven?

6.  Batwoman:  Ah, Kate…sweet, sweet Kate.  Do what you do girl…just do it for a lot longer.

5.  Batman – The Dark Knight:  Well, obviously it contains Batman, but it seems like a darker series.  Me likey darker.

4.  Batgirl:  I don’t get it.  Ok, well I do, but still.  A lot of people are bummed she’s no longer Oracle and I get that.  But come on…Babs is kicking ass again!  Who know’s, maybe bad luck will come her way again, turning her back to the wheelchair.  (I’m not wishing it on her, I just understand the impact she’s had with fans while in the chair, myself included)

3.  Batman & Robin:  I love the little shit, and now he gets some quality time with dear ol’ dad.  Damian and Daddy, side by side, kicking ass and…well kicking ass.  It was fun watching Dick and Damian as Batman & Robin, but this will be a whole new ride for the father and son duo.

2.  Detective Comics:  It’s the company’s namesake and a perennial favorite.  Sure it’s a bummer that it’s back to Numero Uno, but it looks like it’s going to be a blast.  I find it easier to invest in titles that will stand the test of time.

1.  Red Hood & The Outlaws:  That’s right kiddies…Red Hood & The Mutha Freakin’ Outlaws.  I don’t know, something about Jason Todd and his brand of vigilantism has me pumped for this series.  Arsenal and Starfire have always been solid characters, so I don’t know how this strange trio gets together in the first place, but I wouldn’t want to piss them off.  I see that Starfire is virtually naked…eh, moving on…

The 10 DCnU titles I’m least looking forward to…

1. I, Vampire:  Um, well let’s start off with the fact that I’ve become more and more hateful of anything utilizing I in its name.  I know it’s not like iPod or iTunes or iCrapinatoilet, but still I’m pretty sick of seeing the “I” involved with anything.  My next beef with this title is that, and I may be in the minority on this one, but I’M SICK OF ZOMBIES AND VAMPIRES!!!  Dear God, hasn’t this fad faded away yet?  Isn’t True Blood all you vampire-cravers need?  It may very well be a good story, but for now, it’ll probably be the title I read last.
2. Voodoo:  I don’t get it…
3. O.M.A.C.:  Still don’t get it…See I was under the impression that O.M.A.C. was a Ultron-wannabe.  However, this seems to be some menacing, blue-mohawk, Iron Man/Hulk hybrid.  Not saying this won’t be good, since now the focus is on Brother Eye’s One Man Army Corp going on a roid-rage that could shatter the DCnU!!!  (I know…that last line was lame.)
4. Resurrection Man:  Right off the bat I understand his powers.  Well, kind of.  Now I know what you’re saying, “You could Google it, JACKASS!”  Think I don’t know that?  That’s not my point.  This is based purely on the title and first impressions.  I’m intrigued only because I’m wondering if he resurrects people, or keeps dying and resurrecting himself.  Or mayhaps both?  Either way, a guy who only resurrects people doesn’t seem all that riveting.
5. Mr. Terrific:  Holy crap, his name is Mr. Terrific, YAY!  Yeah, no…not feeling it.
6. Captain Atom:  A. There should only be one Captain in the comic world and he’s over on the other team.  B. Why are they always Captains?  Doesn’t anyone ever get promoted?  But in all seriousness…he’s not wearing any pants.
7. Justice League International:  Hmm…um…hmm…I’m looking forward to the Justice League, really I am.  However, wouldn’t it make sense to have the A-listers looking over the world while these guys stick to the states?  Just putting it out there.  Again, this should very well be an entertaining read because Batman is in it, BUT HOW MANY FRIGGIN’ PLACES CAN HE BE AT ONCE?!?!?!?!?  I hope there’s some kind of pay scale for the heroes of the DCnU because that boy might need a pay raise.
8. DC Universe Presents:  They present what?  Deadman in chains…Can we just call it Deadman?  Or is this an attempt to test the waters with various B and C list characters by putting them all in random storylines through DC Universe Presents?  Hmm…
9. Frankenstein – Agent of S.H.A.D.E:  It’s not Frank’s fault.  Not entirely.  By now it looks like I’m tearing DC’s “Dark”, but to reiterate, is not the case.  I’m excited about Demon Knights, and can’t wait for Justice League Dark, but the acronym game is kind of stale to me.  Being ex-military I’m all too aware of the crap acronym’s we put out but hardly ever do they actually form a word in the dictionary.  Why do comics abuse this?  I’m getting all 52 for the first go-round so I’ll read it and quite possibly change my mind…we’ll see.
10. AQUAMAN:  Ah, yes, the water guy.  There’s not much that Geoff John’s has written that I don’t like and hopefully, this too will be great.  That said…Arthur’s boring…he runs the sea like it’s his own personal mafia.  I liked where he was going in Brightest Day and Blackest Night, but it’s hard to remain optimistic that it’ll last much longer.  Personally…I miss the hook, the long hair, and the beard.  On the plus side, he is rocking a trident.

So, what have we learned?  Alright, well this is MY blog and by no means is how the world views these titles.  Who the hell am I?  I’m a fan and just felt the need to tell my fellow comic fans what I am and ain’t looking forward to.  “Ah, you’re an idiot” you say.  Maybe, but hey, you didn’t have to look at my choices in the first place.  However, I’m always up for a good discussion about what is coming for the DCnU.  From the minute this whole relaunch, reboot thingy happened I was optimistic.  It just seems that now, people who have wanted to get into comics now have a great chance without catching up with trades or 900 of someone’s previous comics.  And on the other hand, if some characters really catch fire, maybe people will go back and grab old trades and comics.  Those stories won’t fade away.  They’re still there and will always be.  They’re trying something new and let’s hope it’ll work huh?  So why don’t we all just go into this open-minded?  We know they all won’t last, and we know that eventually new faces will pop up in some form.  Like I said in a previous blog…everyone just calm down.

The Pop-Culture Fan’s Terms of Endearment

“Geek”, “Nerd”, “Dork”, “Loser”.   I’m pretty sure many if not all of us (pop-culture) have been labeled with any or all of one of these ever-loving titles at some point.  And to most some are not synonymous with others.  Before I go any further I just want to elaborate on why it’s the “Pop-Culture” terms as opposed to strictly comics.  Initially I wanted to dub this for comic-fans, but realized that it isn’t just comic fans.  These titles are often given to fans of Manga, Trading Card Games (Magic, WoW, etc.), Table Top Games (Warhammer 40K, D&D, etc.), and more.  The point being that we are all in the same labeled group of geeks, nerds, dorks, and losers.

So why is this?  Why are we ridiculed with these names because of things we love or are passionate about?  Why is playing Magic the Gathering any different from playing Spades or Poker?  If you want to get technical all Magic does is take a standard deck of cards and bring a new version of gameplay to the table.  Comics and Graphic Novels are no different than the latest copy of a John Grisham best-seller.  They both have compelling characters, fantastic authors, and worlds all their own.  But don’t try to tell me that the woman reading Birds of Prey doesn’t get certain looks that she wouldn’t have if she picked up an Anne Rice murder –mystery.

Again, for some reason society has some prejudice about what interests a “normal” person should have.  Apparently our hobbies are not in that list.  I understand that some of us have very understanding people in our lives that are perfectly ok with our hobbies and don’t think any differently about who we are as people.  So why the hell are we judged?  Who decided that because of our interests we can be labeled as “dorks”?  Who?  Was it someone interested in politics?  Or was it someone into sports or the stock markets?  I just want to know when it became acceptable to put a nametag on those who follow something a little out of the ordinary, as if there was a clear-cut definition for ordinary.

I’ve just recently become very active with Twitter (Don’t ask why, but it has connected me with some awesome people with similar interests) and have noticed the plethora of fans all over the globe.  Not to mention the women who take their passions so seriously that they relentlessly argue with DC about them not having enough female-writers or artists (I’m not saying you’re wrong, just noting your passion).  But I’ve also noticed some of us have fully embraced the “geek” title and wear it as a badge of honor.  That, too, is fine, but it just seems to me that the more we embrace the title the easier it is to throw around.  Someone tell me why must we be chastised???  I know the words are a little theatrical, but as a whole, don’t we share the taste for the theatrical (Anybody recognize the line from Batman Begins?  Gold Star for you).

What if we started nit-picking all of the so-called “normal” hobbies?  What if we turned the tables on those who don’t assume they’re “dorks”?  It is the most mature of ideas, but we shouldn’t just allow our interests to be looked at as immature or irrelevant.  Let’s pretend those titles weren’t pressed on us…do you think that would change anybody’s beliefs as to how our hobbies were perceived?  If comics were no longer for “losers” would readership go up?  If cosplaying was more in-style would more people do it?  Or are we doomed to live on as geeks, nerds, dorks, and losers?

Dare I say we start a revolution?  Nay, a revolution never seems to pan out.  I say we simply respond to those who don’t appreciate our favorite pastimes with questions as to why.  Why are we the outcasts?  Our diversions are like any other are they not?  Manga takes us out of our lives for a while doesn’t it?  World of Warcraft connects families and friends while having a little fun (I know, some of you hate the grind, but there is some 14 million subscribers who would disagree).  All I’m saying, is maybe we try to break free from the tyranny that is…whoa, just went a little Stewie for a second.  Anyway, let’s just try to change the way we are seen and do it without burning down a local Wal-Mart.

That whole “history geek” debacle that came out of Miss USA’s mouth started a whole gaggle of people’s opinions on what a “geek” is.  And I’m sorry, but whatever you assume a geek to be might not be entirely correct to someone else.  I’m proud to be a member of this group, the group that wears our hobbies proudly on our sleeves, but why can’t we just be fans?  I’m not saying we should be embarrassed or ashamed, just don’t understand why we must assume the role of “geek” for the things we love.

Bottom line, if you’ve found this blog, you’re probably a fan of the same things I am.  We’re fans just like with anything else.  I’m a fan of baseball and football as well but let’s face it, not many people refer to themselves as sports geeks.  A fan also has a passion for something, much like some say a geek does.  So why can’t we be happy with being fans?