This episode centers on Arizona MC Random (aka MegaRan) and his compatriot K-Murdock. Random recently gave up his job as a college professor in order to pursue his dream of being a successful rapper. We caught up with Random and Murdock in the midst of touring the country before heading back here in July for Nerdapalooza.
Don't call it a comeback. Well, actually, maybe?
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Count3rCu1ture - A Random Episode
Brand new episode of Count3rCu1ture premieres not now...but right now.
This episode centers on Arizona MC Random (aka MegaRan) and his compatriot K-Murdock. Random recently gave up his job as a college professor in order to pursue his dream of being a successful rapper. We caught up with Random and Murdock in the midst of touring the country before heading back here in July for Nerdapalooza.
This episode centers on Arizona MC Random (aka MegaRan) and his compatriot K-Murdock. Random recently gave up his job as a college professor in order to pursue his dream of being a successful rapper. We caught up with Random and Murdock in the midst of touring the country before heading back here in July for Nerdapalooza.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Meet "Scrap Daddy"
(What I thought was originally going on with this? Not quite what I thought was going on. Therefore, re-presenting...)
It was recently announced in the world of professional wrestling that, after nearly 16 years in the business, a former multiple-time World Champion has suffered a neck injury that has resulted in a potentially debilitating situation. With that in mind, he had to announce that he is going on “One Last Ride”.
Wait a minute, when did Edge announce he was going on one last run to say goodbye? Who the hell mentioned Edge?
Author: Al Pavangkanan from Van Nuys, USA
Courtesy of WikiMedia Commons
“Scrap Iron” Adam Pearce began his career in 1996 and had his first match shortly before he graduated high school. From there, he went on to work all over the independent circuit in the US, as well as in Mexico and Japan. He was the second-ever Pro Wrestling Guerilla world champion as well as the National Wrestling Alliance (yes, they are still around, thanks for asking) World Champion on three separate occasions.
“Scrap Iron” may be most well-known for his stint in Ring of Honor (where I first noticed and became a fan of his work). Pearce led the charge during that promotion’s feud with CZW and then became one of the most hated men in the ring. Pearce then took a different turn within the company and vanished from the ring altogether when he became the matchmaker for Ring of Honor after Gabe Sopolsky left the company.
Pearce has come this close to tasting the fame of the big time several times, but has shied away from the mainstream spotlight. He has been the Ultimate Pro Wrestling Champion when that promotion was a developmental system for World Wrestling Entertainment. He had also worked several television matches for WWE, which led to interest from backstage agent Terry Taylor after he left for WCW. He had two separate tryouts with World Championship Wrestling and was offered a contract - only to turn them both down for different reasons. He has been in the ring with “Diamond” Dallas Page, “The Masterpiece” Chris Masters, and has feuded with Sean Waltman, better known as X-Pac.
“Scrap Iron” Adam Pearce is the epitome of the journeyman wrestler in 2011. He has wrestled and traveled all over the world and has tasted success on his own terms. In today’s culture of bright lights and “sports entertainment”, Pearce is the epitome of a wrestler who has flown under the radar and thrived in doing so.
There’s much more to the story of Adam Pearce than can be written here. The stories he has to tell from his time on the road, as well as his own story of being the ultimate journeyman in 2011, is a fascinating tale better told by Pearce himself. As well as the story of "One Last Ride", which he still has yet to take. All of those stories will be told - by Pearce himself - here very soon.
In case you want to get more lowdown on Pearce's condition, give a listen to The Greg DeMarco Show courtesy of 411Mania Radio. Yes, my old stomping ground has gotten in to the broad-podcast business! Very happy for the crew there. In addition to getting some more info on Pearce, Ari Berenstein drops by and talks about the latest Ring of Honor iPPV, "Best In The World:
It was recently announced in the world of professional wrestling that, after nearly 16 years in the business, a former multiple-time World Champion has suffered a neck injury that has resulted in a potentially debilitating situation. With that in mind, he had to announce that he is going on “One Last Ride”.
Wait a minute, when did Edge announce he was going on one last run to say goodbye? Who the hell mentioned Edge?
Author: Al Pavangkanan from Van Nuys, USA
Courtesy of WikiMedia Commons
“Scrap Iron” Adam Pearce began his career in 1996 and had his first match shortly before he graduated high school. From there, he went on to work all over the independent circuit in the US, as well as in Mexico and Japan. He was the second-ever Pro Wrestling Guerilla world champion as well as the National Wrestling Alliance (yes, they are still around, thanks for asking) World Champion on three separate occasions.
“Scrap Iron” may be most well-known for his stint in Ring of Honor (where I first noticed and became a fan of his work). Pearce led the charge during that promotion’s feud with CZW and then became one of the most hated men in the ring. Pearce then took a different turn within the company and vanished from the ring altogether when he became the matchmaker for Ring of Honor after Gabe Sopolsky left the company.
Pearce has come this close to tasting the fame of the big time several times, but has shied away from the mainstream spotlight. He has been the Ultimate Pro Wrestling Champion when that promotion was a developmental system for World Wrestling Entertainment. He had also worked several television matches for WWE, which led to interest from backstage agent Terry Taylor after he left for WCW. He had two separate tryouts with World Championship Wrestling and was offered a contract - only to turn them both down for different reasons. He has been in the ring with “Diamond” Dallas Page, “The Masterpiece” Chris Masters, and has feuded with Sean Waltman, better known as X-Pac.
“Scrap Iron” Adam Pearce is the epitome of the journeyman wrestler in 2011. He has wrestled and traveled all over the world and has tasted success on his own terms. In today’s culture of bright lights and “sports entertainment”, Pearce is the epitome of a wrestler who has flown under the radar and thrived in doing so.
There’s much more to the story of Adam Pearce than can be written here. The stories he has to tell from his time on the road, as well as his own story of being the ultimate journeyman in 2011, is a fascinating tale better told by Pearce himself. As well as the story of "One Last Ride", which he still has yet to take. All of those stories will be told - by Pearce himself - here very soon.
In case you want to get more lowdown on Pearce's condition, give a listen to The Greg DeMarco Show courtesy of 411Mania Radio. Yes, my old stomping ground has gotten in to the broad-podcast business! Very happy for the crew there. In addition to getting some more info on Pearce, Ari Berenstein drops by and talks about the latest Ring of Honor iPPV, "Best In The World:
Listen to internet radio with Greg DeMarco on Blog Talk Radio
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Shut That Camera Off: Apple Targets Concert Filming - Blogcritics Music
Apple gets in bed with the major record labels. Censorship controversy ensues.
More of the ongoing saga of the corporate fatcats who want to control the new media vs. the future.
More of the ongoing saga of the corporate fatcats who want to control the new media vs. the future.
MegaRan and Storyville with Lost Perception - "One Winged Angel"
One of the coolest songs on one of the coolest albums so far this year now has its own video. How cool is that?
MegaRan's delivery on this song is top-notch. But this is the one track that Storyville could well out-shine him on. You now know, if you didn't before (and it's not like Advent Children made it easy or anything), why Sephiroth is the way he is and how he feels. Which, according to Storyville, is so nihilistic it's frightening. Excellent stuff.
We'll talk more about that with MegaRan - and K-Murdock! - as well as returning for Nerdapalooza 2011 and a lot more. Well, I already did talk to him, but this Thursday, you'll get to see it. You may also get to see another track from Black Materia: Final Fantasy VII performed live...
...oh, and kid-you-not - the moment I post this, Davey Richards takes the title from Eddie Edwards and carries Ring of Honor in to its future with Sinclair Broadcasting. Big congratulations to Richards, who has fought for this a long time now and should make a hell of a representative for Ring of Honor.
First pics of the new champ come courtesy of Ring of Honor announcer Dave Prazak:
MegaRan's delivery on this song is top-notch. But this is the one track that Storyville could well out-shine him on. You now know, if you didn't before (and it's not like Advent Children made it easy or anything), why Sephiroth is the way he is and how he feels. Which, according to Storyville, is so nihilistic it's frightening. Excellent stuff.
We'll talk more about that with MegaRan - and K-Murdock! - as well as returning for Nerdapalooza 2011 and a lot more. Well, I already did talk to him, but this Thursday, you'll get to see it. You may also get to see another track from Black Materia: Final Fantasy VII performed live...
...oh, and kid-you-not - the moment I post this, Davey Richards takes the title from Eddie Edwards and carries Ring of Honor in to its future with Sinclair Broadcasting. Big congratulations to Richards, who has fought for this a long time now and should make a hell of a representative for Ring of Honor.
First pics of the new champ come courtesy of Ring of Honor announcer Dave Prazak:
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Count3rCu1ture News Desk: 06.25.11
Another edition of the news desk features two brand new songs, DC Comics continuing to wuss out, and a wrestling promo you have to see to believe. Let’s get in to this.
Music Fuels The Savage Beast
First off, two new tracks from Apathy off of his new album, out August 23. The album that holds the honor of having my single favorite title of 2011 (at the very least)...Honkey Kong.
Track one is the first official single, “Check to Check”. Slightly more laid back than I’m used to from Ap on first listen. But a few more have revealed a focus and drive that Ap conveys best in a great track about trying to make it in today’s entertainment business.
Second up is new music from Anthrax. Oh yeah, you heard. The band’s first new album in seven years - and their first with Joey Belladonna in 21 years (!) - is upon us, as Worship Music is out September 13.
Now, most that know or have read me know I was totally against the idea of John Bush being ditched in favor of bringing back Belladonna. However, I have to say after seeing that lineup live last year, I will totally admit I was in the wrong here. They sound as good as they ever have on stage with Belladonna back in the fold.
So how does that translate in to new studio music? Holy crap, man. Almost like they never left.
Seriously, go get “Fight ‘Em ‘Til You Can’t”, like, right now. Trust me on this one. You won’t be sorry.
Superman Fears Politics
Remember when Superman renounced his American citizenship? And then had to take that back because of the reaction? DC apparently learned a lesson about how much the mainstream does not want to have to think when reading comics, because they did it again this week in much quieter fashion.
CBR broke the story that DC had announced in its weekly email to comic shop retailers that Superman #712 (which came out this past Wednesday) would have a completely different story that was inserted at the last minute. The original story, which was to be part of the “Grounded” story (which features Superman walking across America reconnecting with the people...think about that one for a second), saw Superman arrive in Los Angeles and featured a Muslim superhero called Sharif.
DC’s official reason? “DC Comics determined that the previously solicited story did not work within the "Grounded" storyline.“
Why is this a line of bull? The originally solicited issue promised a story where "Sharif discovers that in today’s current cultural climate, some people don’t want his help – they just want him gone."
What officially makes DC’s reason a line of bull? Writer Chris Roberson himself told CBR, "As much as I look forward to seeing an unpublished Kurt Busiek Superman story, it's a shame that DC didn't determine that the story we prepared for Superman 712 didn't work in the Grounded storyline in time for us to do a different story. As it happened, the Sharif story was included in the outline for the remaining issues of Grounded that I submitted in November. The outline was approved, and in February the issue synopsis that I provided was used to draft the solicitation text, to work up character designs for Sharif (the grown up version of Sinbad from the early 90s), and for cover art to be pencilled, inked, and colored. The script for the issue was accepted in April, and was drawn, inked, and lettered. Unfortunately, when the issue was ready to be sent to the printer in the third week of May I was informed that the decision had been made not to print it."
I’ve written about this sort of thing before. Nearly six years. Only then, it had to do with the WWE character Mohammed Hassan. When WWE turned a sympathetic American character with Arab origins in to the typical, one-dimensional “USA-hock-*ptui!*” heel, I thought it was a shame that a character like that couldn’t be used because of how people wouldoverreact in such a knee-jerk fashion. It’s a shame that, five years after that, there’s been no growth in the area of public conscious and intelligence whatsoever.
To their credit, DC realized this before they had a chance to come under from Fox News and the rest of those zombies for the second time in a few months. It’s just a crying shame they’ve been forced to do so.
What could have been:
The unused cover for Superman #712
”What y’all boys know about the Murphy Rec Center?”
In promoting this Sunday’s “Best In The World” show from Ring of Honor - as well as their future under the Sinclair Broadcast Group banner - the Briscoe Brothers aired a promo on YouTube. Some people love it, others hate it.
Put me in the former category. I’m pretty sure now I can officially declare the Briscoes (not Jack and Jerry, mind you) my favorite tag team ever. Part of it is because they go non-stop, from bell-to-bell, at a pace that has to be seen to be believed. The other reason is because the Redneck gimmick isn’t really a gimmick. What you see with jay and Mark is what you get. They’ll speak out about how they feel, and that stalwart passion has turned in to one of the best promos so far this year.
Bear in mind, though, this is NSFW due to bad language:
Whether it’s part of the storyline or not, I totally believe that they feel as if they’ve been overlooked and they’re looking to prove that they’re the team to take Ring of Honor in to the new frontier. And that’s what good wrestling should make me do - believe.
And speaking of the “Best In The World”, I’d lastly like to welcome back Ari Berenstein and the Column of Honor. I don’t know if this is a return to regular duty or not, but Ari previews “Best in The World” better than anyone else could even think about attempting. In short, it’s what he does and I’m glad to see it back for this.
Music Fuels The Savage Beast
First off, two new tracks from Apathy off of his new album, out August 23. The album that holds the honor of having my single favorite title of 2011 (at the very least)...Honkey Kong.
Track one is the first official single, “Check to Check”. Slightly more laid back than I’m used to from Ap on first listen. But a few more have revealed a focus and drive that Ap conveys best in a great track about trying to make it in today’s entertainment business.
Second up is new music from Anthrax. Oh yeah, you heard. The band’s first new album in seven years - and their first with Joey Belladonna in 21 years (!) - is upon us, as Worship Music is out September 13.
Now, most that know or have read me know I was totally against the idea of John Bush being ditched in favor of bringing back Belladonna. However, I have to say after seeing that lineup live last year, I will totally admit I was in the wrong here. They sound as good as they ever have on stage with Belladonna back in the fold.
So how does that translate in to new studio music? Holy crap, man. Almost like they never left.
Seriously, go get “Fight ‘Em ‘Til You Can’t”, like, right now. Trust me on this one. You won’t be sorry.
Superman Fears Politics
Remember when Superman renounced his American citizenship? And then had to take that back because of the reaction? DC apparently learned a lesson about how much the mainstream does not want to have to think when reading comics, because they did it again this week in much quieter fashion.
CBR broke the story that DC had announced in its weekly email to comic shop retailers that Superman #712 (which came out this past Wednesday) would have a completely different story that was inserted at the last minute. The original story, which was to be part of the “Grounded” story (which features Superman walking across America reconnecting with the people...think about that one for a second), saw Superman arrive in Los Angeles and featured a Muslim superhero called Sharif.
DC’s official reason? “DC Comics determined that the previously solicited story did not work within the "Grounded" storyline.“
Why is this a line of bull? The originally solicited issue promised a story where "Sharif discovers that in today’s current cultural climate, some people don’t want his help – they just want him gone."
What officially makes DC’s reason a line of bull? Writer Chris Roberson himself told CBR, "As much as I look forward to seeing an unpublished Kurt Busiek Superman story, it's a shame that DC didn't determine that the story we prepared for Superman 712 didn't work in the Grounded storyline in time for us to do a different story. As it happened, the Sharif story was included in the outline for the remaining issues of Grounded that I submitted in November. The outline was approved, and in February the issue synopsis that I provided was used to draft the solicitation text, to work up character designs for Sharif (the grown up version of Sinbad from the early 90s), and for cover art to be pencilled, inked, and colored. The script for the issue was accepted in April, and was drawn, inked, and lettered. Unfortunately, when the issue was ready to be sent to the printer in the third week of May I was informed that the decision had been made not to print it."
I’ve written about this sort of thing before. Nearly six years. Only then, it had to do with the WWE character Mohammed Hassan. When WWE turned a sympathetic American character with Arab origins in to the typical, one-dimensional “USA-hock-*ptui!*” heel, I thought it was a shame that a character like that couldn’t be used because of how people would
To their credit, DC realized this before they had a chance to come under from Fox News and the rest of those zombies for the second time in a few months. It’s just a crying shame they’ve been forced to do so.
What could have been:
The unused cover for Superman #712
”What y’all boys know about the Murphy Rec Center?”
In promoting this Sunday’s “Best In The World” show from Ring of Honor - as well as their future under the Sinclair Broadcast Group banner - the Briscoe Brothers aired a promo on YouTube. Some people love it, others hate it.
Put me in the former category. I’m pretty sure now I can officially declare the Briscoes (not Jack and Jerry, mind you) my favorite tag team ever. Part of it is because they go non-stop, from bell-to-bell, at a pace that has to be seen to be believed. The other reason is because the Redneck gimmick isn’t really a gimmick. What you see with jay and Mark is what you get. They’ll speak out about how they feel, and that stalwart passion has turned in to one of the best promos so far this year.
Bear in mind, though, this is NSFW due to bad language:
Whether it’s part of the storyline or not, I totally believe that they feel as if they’ve been overlooked and they’re looking to prove that they’re the team to take Ring of Honor in to the new frontier. And that’s what good wrestling should make me do - believe.
And speaking of the “Best In The World”, I’d lastly like to welcome back Ari Berenstein and the Column of Honor. I don’t know if this is a return to regular duty or not, but Ari previews “Best in The World” better than anyone else could even think about attempting. In short, it’s what he does and I’m glad to see it back for this.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Count3rCu1ture Audio Premiere Episode - Summer of Punk 2.0
Welcome to the first edition of Count3rCu1ture...Audio.
Yep, another component of the website goes live as we venture in to the podcast game. Somewhat. See, this isn’t going to be a regular thing. It’s a great way to deliver interviews I may have from time-to-time that aren’t caught on video or a good way to discuss something going in Pop Culture now. And that’s what this will be for.
This is in no way meant as any competition to the shows I listen to on a weekly basis - Slacker and the Man, Nerdy Show, Hipster, Please!, We Love Colt, I Want Wrestling, or Live Audio Wrestling. There’s no way what I can do will be as good as any of those guys. But is that gonna stop me from unloading more content? Of course not.
The first edition is (*Spoiler Alert~!*) wrestling-related and centers on CM Punk and the storyline that took place on the 06.20.11 edition of Monday Night Raw. Hear my thoughts on that, how I think it might play out, and Punk’s possible meaning behind the entire angle by merely clicking on the image below.
Thanks again for reading, listening, watching...whatever you feel like doing here. Keep coming back - it works.
Yep, another component of the website goes live as we venture in to the podcast game. Somewhat. See, this isn’t going to be a regular thing. It’s a great way to deliver interviews I may have from time-to-time that aren’t caught on video or a good way to discuss something going in Pop Culture now. And that’s what this will be for.
This is in no way meant as any competition to the shows I listen to on a weekly basis - Slacker and the Man, Nerdy Show, Hipster, Please!, We Love Colt, I Want Wrestling, or Live Audio Wrestling. There’s no way what I can do will be as good as any of those guys. But is that gonna stop me from unloading more content? Of course not.
The first edition is (*Spoiler Alert~!*) wrestling-related and centers on CM Punk and the storyline that took place on the 06.20.11 edition of Monday Night Raw. Hear my thoughts on that, how I think it might play out, and Punk’s possible meaning behind the entire angle by merely clicking on the image below.
Thanks again for reading, listening, watching...whatever you feel like doing here. Keep coming back - it works.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Count3rCu1ture - CEO 2011
Part 2 of our CEO 2011 coverage premieres right here!
This edition spotlights all the action at Florida's only major (and EVO sponsored) tournament. We chat with Mike Ross about the tournament as well as take a look at some of the action from this year's tourney.
This edition spotlights all the action at Florida's only major (and EVO sponsored) tournament. We chat with Mike Ross about the tournament as well as take a look at some of the action from this year's tourney.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Sunday Morning Coming Down - More Digital Disdain: The Story Of Rebecca Black Gets Stranger
Rebecca Black squares off against Ark Records, and the famous video is already a casualty.
This is really late because I did something really dumb. Basically, it was a matter of hitting a button I forgot to hit. Nonetheless, here it is. Enjoy.
This is really late because I did something really dumb. Basically, it was a matter of hitting a button I forgot to hit. Nonetheless, here it is. Enjoy.
CEO on CEO
I was hoping to have CEO Main Man Alex Jebailey on one of the Count3rCu1ture episodes discussing CEO 2011. Unfortunately, it didn't come to pass. And I should have known better, watching him run around playing one man army and busting his ass to make CEO the awesome event that it was.
However, Alex put out his own video(s) talking about the tournament. Hear how it all went, some behind-the-scenes tidbits, and what to expect from CEO 2012 from the man himself. And a big thanks again to Alex for what turned out to be a hell of a time and a hell of an event.
Part 2 of Count3rCu1ture's coverage premieres on June 23. Stay tuned for that and thanks again.
However, Alex put out his own video(s) talking about the tournament. Hear how it all went, some behind-the-scenes tidbits, and what to expect from CEO 2012 from the man himself. And a big thanks again to Alex for what turned out to be a hell of a time and a hell of an event.
Part 2 of Count3rCu1ture's coverage premieres on June 23. Stay tuned for that and thanks again.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Count3rCu1ture - King of Chinatown
That's right - ANOTHER new episode of Count3rCu1ture! Learn all about the EVO Series Championships and the movie "King of Chinatown". Including an interview with Justin Wong!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Count3rCu1ture - Episode Marc
We are back on the air!
Premiering today is a new episode of Count3rCu1ture featuring...the one, the only...Marc With a C. And some bad language. And some good music. And some bad language describing good music. All in all, a pretty fun show. Please enjoy it!
Monday, June 13, 2011
Ice Loves Coco
I have to preface this before I get in to the show proper. I was terrified of this idea when I first saw the commercials. I grew up on Ice-T. I know most of his catalog - including the work with Body Count - inside and out, for the most part. I own his book, The Ice Opinion, and have read it a few times. I’ve been a huge fan of ”the epitome of antidisestablishmentarianism” for well over 20 years.
All that in mind, of course I’m well aware of his relationship with Coco. I’ve actually met both Ice and Coco down in Tampa a little over seven years ago. Both were as gracious and cool as you’d imagine them being. Looking in from the outside (because that’s all any of us are doing, really), she seems to have made a huge difference in Ice’s life and happiness.
But, does that difference mean taming Ice? Is he the doting-husband-cum-corporate-sellout? Even considering a project like E!’s “Ice Loves Coco” would certainly seem to indicate that, much less making the reality show a reality that premiered Sunday, June 12. That’s why I was terrified of this whole idea - Ice-T being on the same network as the Kardashians (who rank right up there with Paris Hilton in the “why are they popular again?” category) and participating in a reality show that shows his relationship instead of something like, say, his directorial debut documentary he’s working on (The Art Of Rap) made me fear for the worst. But, in knowing how Ice rolls, that may have been an error in judgment.
After seeing the first episode (as well as the preview show they aired in the week leading up to it), I'm relieved to know that Ice knows what he's doing and that E! is on board with it. As indicated, Coco has made a difference in Ice’s happiness, but that doesn’t mean he’s become a punk over it. They're equals. On the same page. Neither plays second fiddle. His interaction with Coco on the show is a man in love with his wife, but who’s still...well, he’s Ice-T.
Take all the Bunnies out of the equation and he’s this generation’s Hugh Hefner. Ice is the epitome of cool. He has what every straight guy wants in Coco and he is what every guy wants to be. “Ice Loves Coco” opens the door to that idea for viewers. Many have seen Ice and Coco out and about on TMZ, Heyman Hustle, and all the other sites and each time they have, the overall thought is mostly the same - “Man, that Ice-T is a cool dude.”
I almost typed “a lucky dude” there, but that would have been horribly inaccurate. Many people point at Jay-Z as the ultimate “ne’er-do-good-made-good” but, to me, Ice has him beat. A few times over. This is a guy that lost his parents at a relatively young age and was a shot-caller (look it up) for the Crips at age 14. He overcame all that and a little more to become one of the most successful men on the planet - and all of it was self-made. Early on in his career, Ice made it a goal to show others that had no hope how to not only escape the dead-end life of the ghetto, but to make it out on top. The “sell-out” accusations are null and void for that reason; selling out indicates an abandonment of principles for the sake of money and fame. Ice not only did what he originally set out to do, but to this day has never lost sight of where he came from and who he is in the process. That’s been in the case ever since his first acting gig as a cop in New Jack City - which he pulled off so well that all the outrage that came from the initial announcement shut right the hell up once the movie made money. This show, so far, is another great example of Ice branching out in to new territory - the same territory that helped him escape a doomed path and also show others the way to do it. And E! is certainly one of the most unlikely places you’d think to look for it.
The show also displays a side of Coco we’re not used to seeing - that of a human being. Men look at her proportions and can’t want to get to the nearest bathroom. Women decry how fake it all looks. The show recognizes her physical appearance (how can it not?), but also focuses more on her personality and her interaction with her man. I’m glad to see that this side of Coco - which I’ve seen in person - now come out to the forefront so the general public can see it and maybe not focus so much on her ass.
All in all, the show doesn’t seem to be at all what I was so afraid of. E!, thank God, is straying away from the “OMGDrama” of the typical reality show and is simply showing one of the most notorious couples in the world just being a couple. If you want to get to know both Tracy Morrow and Nicole Austin, “Ice Loves Coco” is actually a pretty good way to do that. I’m actually looking forward now to watching the rest of the season.
All that in mind, of course I’m well aware of his relationship with Coco. I’ve actually met both Ice and Coco down in Tampa a little over seven years ago. Both were as gracious and cool as you’d imagine them being. Looking in from the outside (because that’s all any of us are doing, really), she seems to have made a huge difference in Ice’s life and happiness.But, does that difference mean taming Ice? Is he the doting-husband-cum-corporate-sellout? Even considering a project like E!’s “Ice Loves Coco” would certainly seem to indicate that, much less making the reality show a reality that premiered Sunday, June 12. That’s why I was terrified of this whole idea - Ice-T being on the same network as the Kardashians (who rank right up there with Paris Hilton in the “why are they popular again?” category) and participating in a reality show that shows his relationship instead of something like, say, his directorial debut documentary he’s working on (The Art Of Rap) made me fear for the worst. But, in knowing how Ice rolls, that may have been an error in judgment.
After seeing the first episode (as well as the preview show they aired in the week leading up to it), I'm relieved to know that Ice knows what he's doing and that E! is on board with it. As indicated, Coco has made a difference in Ice’s happiness, but that doesn’t mean he’s become a punk over it. They're equals. On the same page. Neither plays second fiddle. His interaction with Coco on the show is a man in love with his wife, but who’s still...well, he’s Ice-T.
Take all the Bunnies out of the equation and he’s this generation’s Hugh Hefner. Ice is the epitome of cool. He has what every straight guy wants in Coco and he is what every guy wants to be. “Ice Loves Coco” opens the door to that idea for viewers. Many have seen Ice and Coco out and about on TMZ, Heyman Hustle, and all the other sites and each time they have, the overall thought is mostly the same - “Man, that Ice-T is a cool dude.”
I almost typed “a lucky dude” there, but that would have been horribly inaccurate. Many people point at Jay-Z as the ultimate “ne’er-do-good-made-good” but, to me, Ice has him beat. A few times over. This is a guy that lost his parents at a relatively young age and was a shot-caller (look it up) for the Crips at age 14. He overcame all that and a little more to become one of the most successful men on the planet - and all of it was self-made. Early on in his career, Ice made it a goal to show others that had no hope how to not only escape the dead-end life of the ghetto, but to make it out on top. The “sell-out” accusations are null and void for that reason; selling out indicates an abandonment of principles for the sake of money and fame. Ice not only did what he originally set out to do, but to this day has never lost sight of where he came from and who he is in the process. That’s been in the case ever since his first acting gig as a cop in New Jack City - which he pulled off so well that all the outrage that came from the initial announcement shut right the hell up once the movie made money. This show, so far, is another great example of Ice branching out in to new territory - the same territory that helped him escape a doomed path and also show others the way to do it. And E! is certainly one of the most unlikely places you’d think to look for it.The show also displays a side of Coco we’re not used to seeing - that of a human being. Men look at her proportions and can’t want to get to the nearest bathroom. Women decry how fake it all looks. The show recognizes her physical appearance (how can it not?), but also focuses more on her personality and her interaction with her man. I’m glad to see that this side of Coco - which I’ve seen in person - now come out to the forefront so the general public can see it and maybe not focus so much on her ass.
All in all, the show doesn’t seem to be at all what I was so afraid of. E!, thank God, is straying away from the “OMGDrama” of the typical reality show and is simply showing one of the most notorious couples in the world just being a couple. If you want to get to know both Tracy Morrow and Nicole Austin, “Ice Loves Coco” is actually a pretty good way to do that. I’m actually looking forward now to watching the rest of the season.
Examining the DC Relaunch Part 03: The Heavyweights - Orlando Comic Books | Examiner.com
Concluding with the official word (so far) on Superman and Batman.
We had to know this was coming. Detective and Action Comics have both been announced to be completely reset come September.
I'm taking deep breaths and counting to ten, hoping and praying that Johns and Lee are right about what's to come. I really do.
We had to know this was coming. Detective and Action Comics have both been announced to be completely reset come September.
I'm taking deep breaths and counting to ten, hoping and praying that Johns and Lee are right about what's to come. I really do.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Examining the DC Relaunch Part 02: The Revamps - Orlando Comic Books | Examiner.com
Examiner's in-depth look at the DC Relaunch continues...
And honestly, I have to say my thoughts on the whole things have softened a little since I initially found out. I think my problem came not from that they were throwing away 77+ years of history, but doing it for what seemed like no real good creative reason. After talking to Hex, however, I think I get where they're coming from now.
Do I think this is going to be all roses in the end? Nope. I still give it two years - tops - before they switch it all back. (I've got two words for ya, folks: "New Coke".) But am I now more willing to give it a look and see what they have in mind? Sure, I will. Some of the stuff looks too cool for me not to at least do that.
And honestly, I have to say my thoughts on the whole things have softened a little since I initially found out. I think my problem came not from that they were throwing away 77+ years of history, but doing it for what seemed like no real good creative reason. After talking to Hex, however, I think I get where they're coming from now.
Do I think this is going to be all roses in the end? Nope. I still give it two years - tops - before they switch it all back. (I've got two words for ya, folks: "New Coke".) But am I now more willing to give it a look and see what they have in mind? Sure, I will. Some of the stuff looks too cool for me not to at least do that.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Examining the DC Relaunch Part 01: The Business - Orlando Comic Books | Examiner.com
Beginning an in-depth, three part look at the DC Relaunch...
Now we're getting a little more in-depth with the "Relaunch", starting with the business side. Tomorrow, we get a little more in to the creative side...
Now we're getting a little more in-depth with the "Relaunch", starting with the business side. Tomorrow, we get a little more in to the creative side...
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
World of Hurt - Review
WWE Tough Enough ended earlier this week, but another wrestling-oriented reality show is still going.
The show is, of course, “World of Hurt” - and for more information on the premise, you can refer back here. At the time, the idea was to do a weekly review of the show...if possible.
The ”if” came from the fact that the show only airs in Canada (on The Cave network, to be exact). There are no real avenues here in the U.S. to be able to see it on a regular basis. However, the first three episodes were available for viewing, and that’s whet we’ll cover here. All in one shot.
Before we do, consider this your official SPOILER WARNING. If you’re able to see the show and don’t want details about the first three episodes that have already aired (including some not-so-pretty pictures), stop right now and hit the “Back” button. I am no longer responsible from this point forward if you read or saw something you shouldn’t have and get mad about it.
A couple caveats about the show already make it stand out just a little more. First, as you may remember, there is no competition here. No big cash prize or a WWE contract is on the line. Rather, ten hopefuls in an advanced class at trainer Lance Storm’s Wrestling Academy are here to learn the finer points ofsports entertainment pro wrestling in an effort to step up their game to make it to the big time. Second, because of that the show is a total of ten episodes for a reason; each episode focuses on a particular trainee (in no discernible order) during their advanced class. That leads us to third, each episode runs the entire duration of the training, culminating in the live event each had to participate in and their post-course evaluation from Storm as to why each one has not made it yet.
Episode 01 concentrates on Australia’s Irena, who “always wanted to be a television star” - an attitude that doesn’t endear her to fellow trainees Dylan Knight (who points out how Irena is not cut out to be in this business), “The French Stallion” Tom La Ruffa (who thinks that because she’s a girl that she simply doesn’t belong, period) and Tenille Tayla (who thinks Irena comes off as being “above” her fellow classmates and not knowing how to be “one of the boys”).
Irena possibly proves them right at approximately 4:45 in when she waayy undershoots a simple back bump:
Owitch. The look on Storm’s face tells that story.
Having to overcome this for the rest of the show , Irena draws sympathy from her friend Taya Valkyrie as well as tempered guidance from Storm himself. She also continues to draw ire from several other trainees who see her as a “diva” (not a WWE performer, mind you) who’s milking her own incompetence for commiseration.
Irena doesn’t win any of them over when she shows up for the live event with minutes to go before her match instead of when she was supposed to – which was to be hours before the event was even supposed to start. Irena’s opponent for the night, KC Spinelli, gets in to a shouting match with her, immediately casting doubt as to whether they can work together on the match itself to pull it off. They do, but it certainly ain’t pretty.
In the end, Lance explains that she hasn’t made it to the “big time” yet because she needs to leave the drama outside - which I have to agree with. Irena is too concerned with being a star than being a wrestler. In this business, you have to hold both in at least equal regard to be able to achieve that stardom, or else your whole character and act becomes transparent and any respect gained by putting in the hard work to perfect your craft is nonexistent.
Deryck Crosse doesn’t have that problem in Episode 02. Crosse is certainly dedicated to making it. So much so that he takes the idea of having a character that will cause an audience reaction to heart and creates...wait for it...the “Prince of Perversion”. Of course, this guy just had to be from Florida, too.
Yes, it’s exactly what it would sound like. Crosse gets his point across - or his character “over”, so to speak - by doing things like, say...this:
And that’s to his friend, T-Bone (no, seriously). To someone he doesn’t know, like “The French Stallion”? Even worse:
Some of the trainees get a little homophobic or, at the very least, feel like they had this done to them against their will. Stallion has to work with this guy at the live event, and now he’s uncomfortable as all hell! To his credit, Storm advises Crosse carefully; he tells Crosse that he has to be careful with a character like this in so far as not driving the audience out the door, but that it could still work if he is able to commit to it.
Crosse is a trooper, dedicating himself to this character in order to break down boundaries. Problem is, Crosse doesn’t carry through with it come the live event. He has several openings, but loses his nerve in front of the crowd. Knight, who came off as a complete douchenozzle in the first show, is actually helping Crosse near the end of this one, offering suggestions as to how he could make the character work. Come evaluation time, Storm plays along those same lines, advising Crosse that finding a character, believing in it, and making it work is why he hasn’t made it yet.
Carlo “Cash Money” Cannon seems to already have a personality in place in Episode 03. The problem is, it’s as the victim. The episode features on aggression, and it’s established that Carlo is everybody’s buddy. The nice guy. The one that sells like he’s getting murdered when it comes to the aggression drills. It also doesn’t help that Dylan knight is back in “alpha male” mode, being the douchenozzle we came to love in the first show.
Lance then pushes the “aggression” bit further with a hard and heavy workout for the whole crew. Cannon wears down further and further, and finally bogaloos ‘til he pukes. Knight gets a kick out of it, Taya Valkyrie looks worried...the usual reactions that now become expected as we have an idea of each trainee’s personality. Although we get a little more of an idea, as Knight has pretty much targeted Cannon--who he calls “Princess”.
The cool part here is, in Episode 01 when Storm got Irena’s com-uppance on Knight for her, Cannon does it himself here. During another aggression drill, Cannon takes it to Knight, who expresses some fear and thankfulness at the fact that Cannon didn’t go for a dive to the outside. In what becomes one of the coolest moments of the show thus far, Storm pep talks Cannon in to taking the risk and doing the dive:
Of course, Storm books Knight and Cannon as opponents on the live show and Cannon is freaking out about the dive because the ring is a little smaller. Cannon has a bigger problem when he pops his knee out at the entrance after slipping on the floor. He puts all that to the side and hits the dive during the match. It doesn’t look picture-perfect like the one in training, but it impresses Storm to the point that this was the first mainly positive evaluation of the show.
All in all, “World of Hurt” is a pretty good show, from what I’ve been able to see. There’s certainly some of the reality “drama” to be had, but most of it seems somewhat legitimate in dealing with the volatile personalities found in wrestling. Could some of it have been egged on by the producers? Certainly. This is a “reality” show, and it’s very tough to believe that, like any other reality show, at least some of it hasn’t been worked.
There are also some minor technical issues as far as the overall production, particularly with some choices in camera angles and things of the like. If you’re not looking for them, chances are they’ll go unnoticed – save for the intro to each episode, where Storm almost never looks directly in to the camera. When you’re talking directly to the audience, that sort of thing helps.
Speaking of the main man, the show-ending evaluations are well done, also. Storm doesn’t dress people down like Steve Austin did on “Tough Enough”, but he doesn’t have to. Again, Storm is fair and honest when it comes to the talent, what they do right, and what they need to work on.
This is as real of a show about the insides of the pro wrestling business - from the aspect of what’s expected from a performer wanting to make it big - as you’ll ever find. Storm isn’t too much of an ass nor is he too nice; his even temper is perfect for someone in his position, both in real life and as seen on television. The trainees each have their faults and foibles, but they give you a reason to cheer them on as well. It’s compelling television and a good show about pro wrestling, which are the two goals this show strives to hit and does consistently. Bug the hell out of your local cable provider or Netflix so you can see it for yourself.
The show is, of course, “World of Hurt” - and for more information on the premise, you can refer back here. At the time, the idea was to do a weekly review of the show...if possible.
The ”if” came from the fact that the show only airs in Canada (on The Cave network, to be exact). There are no real avenues here in the U.S. to be able to see it on a regular basis. However, the first three episodes were available for viewing, and that’s whet we’ll cover here. All in one shot.
Before we do, consider this your official SPOILER WARNING. If you’re able to see the show and don’t want details about the first three episodes that have already aired (including some not-so-pretty pictures), stop right now and hit the “Back” button. I am no longer responsible from this point forward if you read or saw something you shouldn’t have and get mad about it.
A couple caveats about the show already make it stand out just a little more. First, as you may remember, there is no competition here. No big cash prize or a WWE contract is on the line. Rather, ten hopefuls in an advanced class at trainer Lance Storm’s Wrestling Academy are here to learn the finer points of
Episode 01 concentrates on Australia’s Irena, who “always wanted to be a television star” - an attitude that doesn’t endear her to fellow trainees Dylan Knight (who points out how Irena is not cut out to be in this business), “The French Stallion” Tom La Ruffa (who thinks that because she’s a girl that she simply doesn’t belong, period) and Tenille Tayla (who thinks Irena comes off as being “above” her fellow classmates and not knowing how to be “one of the boys”).
Irena possibly proves them right at approximately 4:45 in when she waayy undershoots a simple back bump:
Owitch. The look on Storm’s face tells that story.
Having to overcome this for the rest of the show , Irena draws sympathy from her friend Taya Valkyrie as well as tempered guidance from Storm himself. She also continues to draw ire from several other trainees who see her as a “diva” (not a WWE performer, mind you) who’s milking her own incompetence for commiseration.
Irena doesn’t win any of them over when she shows up for the live event with minutes to go before her match instead of when she was supposed to – which was to be hours before the event was even supposed to start. Irena’s opponent for the night, KC Spinelli, gets in to a shouting match with her, immediately casting doubt as to whether they can work together on the match itself to pull it off. They do, but it certainly ain’t pretty.
In the end, Lance explains that she hasn’t made it to the “big time” yet because she needs to leave the drama outside - which I have to agree with. Irena is too concerned with being a star than being a wrestler. In this business, you have to hold both in at least equal regard to be able to achieve that stardom, or else your whole character and act becomes transparent and any respect gained by putting in the hard work to perfect your craft is nonexistent.
Deryck Crosse doesn’t have that problem in Episode 02. Crosse is certainly dedicated to making it. So much so that he takes the idea of having a character that will cause an audience reaction to heart and creates...wait for it...the “Prince of Perversion”. Of course, this guy just had to be from Florida, too.
Yes, it’s exactly what it would sound like. Crosse gets his point across - or his character “over”, so to speak - by doing things like, say...this:
And that’s to his friend, T-Bone (no, seriously). To someone he doesn’t know, like “The French Stallion”? Even worse:
Some of the trainees get a little homophobic or, at the very least, feel like they had this done to them against their will. Stallion has to work with this guy at the live event, and now he’s uncomfortable as all hell! To his credit, Storm advises Crosse carefully; he tells Crosse that he has to be careful with a character like this in so far as not driving the audience out the door, but that it could still work if he is able to commit to it.
Crosse is a trooper, dedicating himself to this character in order to break down boundaries. Problem is, Crosse doesn’t carry through with it come the live event. He has several openings, but loses his nerve in front of the crowd. Knight, who came off as a complete douchenozzle in the first show, is actually helping Crosse near the end of this one, offering suggestions as to how he could make the character work. Come evaluation time, Storm plays along those same lines, advising Crosse that finding a character, believing in it, and making it work is why he hasn’t made it yet.
Carlo “Cash Money” Cannon seems to already have a personality in place in Episode 03. The problem is, it’s as the victim. The episode features on aggression, and it’s established that Carlo is everybody’s buddy. The nice guy. The one that sells like he’s getting murdered when it comes to the aggression drills. It also doesn’t help that Dylan knight is back in “alpha male” mode, being the douchenozzle we came to love in the first show.
Lance then pushes the “aggression” bit further with a hard and heavy workout for the whole crew. Cannon wears down further and further, and finally bogaloos ‘til he pukes. Knight gets a kick out of it, Taya Valkyrie looks worried...the usual reactions that now become expected as we have an idea of each trainee’s personality. Although we get a little more of an idea, as Knight has pretty much targeted Cannon--who he calls “Princess”.
The cool part here is, in Episode 01 when Storm got Irena’s com-uppance on Knight for her, Cannon does it himself here. During another aggression drill, Cannon takes it to Knight, who expresses some fear and thankfulness at the fact that Cannon didn’t go for a dive to the outside. In what becomes one of the coolest moments of the show thus far, Storm pep talks Cannon in to taking the risk and doing the dive:
Of course, Storm books Knight and Cannon as opponents on the live show and Cannon is freaking out about the dive because the ring is a little smaller. Cannon has a bigger problem when he pops his knee out at the entrance after slipping on the floor. He puts all that to the side and hits the dive during the match. It doesn’t look picture-perfect like the one in training, but it impresses Storm to the point that this was the first mainly positive evaluation of the show.
All in all, “World of Hurt” is a pretty good show, from what I’ve been able to see. There’s certainly some of the reality “drama” to be had, but most of it seems somewhat legitimate in dealing with the volatile personalities found in wrestling. Could some of it have been egged on by the producers? Certainly. This is a “reality” show, and it’s very tough to believe that, like any other reality show, at least some of it hasn’t been worked.
There are also some minor technical issues as far as the overall production, particularly with some choices in camera angles and things of the like. If you’re not looking for them, chances are they’ll go unnoticed – save for the intro to each episode, where Storm almost never looks directly in to the camera. When you’re talking directly to the audience, that sort of thing helps.
Speaking of the main man, the show-ending evaluations are well done, also. Storm doesn’t dress people down like Steve Austin did on “Tough Enough”, but he doesn’t have to. Again, Storm is fair and honest when it comes to the talent, what they do right, and what they need to work on.
This is as real of a show about the insides of the pro wrestling business - from the aspect of what’s expected from a performer wanting to make it big - as you’ll ever find. Storm isn’t too much of an ass nor is he too nice; his even temper is perfect for someone in his position, both in real life and as seen on television. The trainees each have their faults and foibles, but they give you a reason to cheer them on as well. It’s compelling television and a good show about pro wrestling, which are the two goals this show strives to hit and does consistently. Bug the hell out of your local cable provider or Netflix so you can see it for yourself.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
DC Comics Announces Complete Reboot. World Asks WHY?
You. Have GOT. To be. KIDDING. ME.
DC Comics announced today that the current ”Flashpoint” event series (you know, the one with sixteen different tie-in mini-series?) will end on August 31. On that same day, a new “Justice League” series by Geoff Johns and Jim Lee (nice!) starts at #1.
The following month, however, DC will unleash 52 new #1 titles as they set out to reboot the entire DC Universe.
Action Comics (currently at 900+ issues)? Detective Comics (currently at 875+ issues)? Wonder Woman? Green Lantern? ALL of them are starting over.
Those new #1s include costume redesigns for more than 50 superheroes (look to your left for an idea) and - get this - “a more modern, diverse DC Universe, with some character variations in appearance, origin and age. All stories will be grounded in each character's legend - but will relate to real world situations, interactions, tragedy and triumph,” according to DC's Senior Vice President-Sales Bob Wayne.
Which, according to Wayne, also means - you betcha! - "Some of the characters will have new origins, while others will undergo minor changes.”
So how, exactly, does DC justify throwing away 77 years of history like Ah-nuld ditching a Kennedy for a dumpy middle-aged Hispanic chick? Here’s Co-Publisher Dan DiDio to explain (via USA Today): "We looked at what was going on in the marketplace and felt we really want to inject new life in our characters and line. This was a chance to start, not at the beginning, but at a point where our characters are younger and the stories are being told for today's audience."
In other words, they’re going to pull an Ultimate Marvel (go look it up). The only difference is, when Marvel did this sort of thing, it was to attract readers who had seen the X-Men and Spider-Man movies and give them a latching on point without scaring the hell out of them with several decades of ongoing plotlines that would turn them right off. They made a line of comics that new readers could jump right in to if they wanted to, but were still smart enough to leave in place their established line for those fans who had invested all of their time, money, and effort in to following those stories.
Not DC, jack! No way! They’re tossing out EVERYTHING! And the sick, sad part of it is...they’re doing it for no good reason.
Let’s torpedo the whole “All stories will be grounded in each character's legend - but will relate to real world situations” right the hell now. Superman recently announced his US Citizenship to become more of a global hero (among several other logical reasons). That was met with a knee-jerk, ignorant response from people who hadn’t read these books since the days of Curt Swan and Murphy Anderson (and that’s being generous) that Sooperman’s an Uh-murh-kin, Gawd demmit! You don’t like it, you kin git out! Hence, DC rescinded the move - and asshats like the guy who wrote the article at the other end of the previous link celebrated, feeling safe that a fictional alien comic book character was back on the side of the “good guys”, not realizing that he’d never left in the first place. So, out goes the “real world situations” argument.
Next? Oh yeah - "We looked at what was going on in the marketplace and felt we really want to inject new life in our characters and line.” WHY?? You have the Green Lantern movie coming out. You have Batman: The Brave and the Bold as well as Young Justice on the Cartoon Network. You have DC’s animated movies making a pretty good killing at a pretty good pace. Where can you possibly see where they need to be “freshened up” when people around the world know and recognize these characters and where they came from?
Marvel didn’t feel the need to relaunch their entire comics line when Iron Man made bank at the box office, did they? No - because they were well aware of the marketplace and their fans. They didn’t try to shove down consumers’ throats the idea of starting all over because the core fans wouldn’t have stood for it and, I’m sorry to have to break the bad news here but, if newer fans were coming in to buy the books based on the movies, they would have already shown up. Instead, DC is out to alienate both sides. Stupendeous.
This argument and several other tangents and examples pointing out how monumentally idiotic of an idea this is could continue for days. At the end of the day, DC has inexplicably done what they do best...when the train is rolling with full momentum, they’ve decided to slam on the brakes and attempt to make a left turn right off the track. As a lifelong DC fan, it hurts to say...and they wonder why Marvel keeps kicking their asses.
WCW - one of many examples of why ”rebooting the product” doesn’t work.
DC Comics announced today that the current ”Flashpoint” event series (you know, the one with sixteen different tie-in mini-series?) will end on August 31. On that same day, a new “Justice League” series by Geoff Johns and Jim Lee (nice!) starts at #1.
The following month, however, DC will unleash 52 new #1 titles as they set out to reboot the entire DC Universe.
Action Comics (currently at 900+ issues)? Detective Comics (currently at 875+ issues)? Wonder Woman? Green Lantern? ALL of them are starting over.
Those new #1s include costume redesigns for more than 50 superheroes (look to your left for an idea) and - get this - “a more modern, diverse DC Universe, with some character variations in appearance, origin and age. All stories will be grounded in each character's legend - but will relate to real world situations, interactions, tragedy and triumph,” according to DC's Senior Vice President-Sales Bob Wayne.Which, according to Wayne, also means - you betcha! - "Some of the characters will have new origins, while others will undergo minor changes.”
So how, exactly, does DC justify throwing away 77 years of history like Ah-nuld ditching a Kennedy for a dumpy middle-aged Hispanic chick? Here’s Co-Publisher Dan DiDio to explain (via USA Today): "We looked at what was going on in the marketplace and felt we really want to inject new life in our characters and line. This was a chance to start, not at the beginning, but at a point where our characters are younger and the stories are being told for today's audience."
In other words, they’re going to pull an Ultimate Marvel (go look it up). The only difference is, when Marvel did this sort of thing, it was to attract readers who had seen the X-Men and Spider-Man movies and give them a latching on point without scaring the hell out of them with several decades of ongoing plotlines that would turn them right off. They made a line of comics that new readers could jump right in to if they wanted to, but were still smart enough to leave in place their established line for those fans who had invested all of their time, money, and effort in to following those stories.
Not DC, jack! No way! They’re tossing out EVERYTHING! And the sick, sad part of it is...they’re doing it for no good reason.
Let’s torpedo the whole “All stories will be grounded in each character's legend - but will relate to real world situations” right the hell now. Superman recently announced his US Citizenship to become more of a global hero (among several other logical reasons). That was met with a knee-jerk, ignorant response from people who hadn’t read these books since the days of Curt Swan and Murphy Anderson (and that’s being generous) that Sooperman’s an Uh-murh-kin, Gawd demmit! You don’t like it, you kin git out! Hence, DC rescinded the move - and asshats like the guy who wrote the article at the other end of the previous link celebrated, feeling safe that a fictional alien comic book character was back on the side of the “good guys”, not realizing that he’d never left in the first place. So, out goes the “real world situations” argument.
Next? Oh yeah - "We looked at what was going on in the marketplace and felt we really want to inject new life in our characters and line.” WHY?? You have the Green Lantern movie coming out. You have Batman: The Brave and the Bold as well as Young Justice on the Cartoon Network. You have DC’s animated movies making a pretty good killing at a pretty good pace. Where can you possibly see where they need to be “freshened up” when people around the world know and recognize these characters and where they came from?
Marvel didn’t feel the need to relaunch their entire comics line when Iron Man made bank at the box office, did they? No - because they were well aware of the marketplace and their fans. They didn’t try to shove down consumers’ throats the idea of starting all over because the core fans wouldn’t have stood for it and, I’m sorry to have to break the bad news here but, if newer fans were coming in to buy the books based on the movies, they would have already shown up. Instead, DC is out to alienate both sides. Stupendeous.
This argument and several other tangents and examples pointing out how monumentally idiotic of an idea this is could continue for days. At the end of the day, DC has inexplicably done what they do best...when the train is rolling with full momentum, they’ve decided to slam on the brakes and attempt to make a left turn right off the track. As a lifelong DC fan, it hurts to say...and they wonder why Marvel keeps kicking their asses.
WCW - one of many examples of why ”rebooting the product” doesn’t work.
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