The 10 Comic Book Movie Adaptations I’ve Tried To Push Out Of My Head

I’m not even sure I can tell you how much an “average” hollywood movie costs to make.  I suppose it depends on the actors, the topic, and the amount of special effects.  No matter how you look at it they cost more money to make than you and I make in...well...our lives.  On top of that we then spend our hard earned dollars to go see these money holes and hope they are worth it.

Here is The Comic Whisperer’s Top 10 Comic Book Movie Adaptations I’ve Tried To Push Out Of My Head:

10.)  R.I.P.D. - Which stands for Really Is a Pathetic aDaptation.  Arguably the love child of Men in Black and Ghostbusters, this film was terrible.  It’s no mystery that Ryan Reynolds was involved.  His acting is pathetic and you will see his earmark throughout this list.  Looking through the internet it looks as though this bomb cost $130 million to make.   This buddy cop meet supernatural thriller couldn’t even be resuscitated by The Big Lebowski himself Jeff Bridges.

9.)  Batman Forever (1995) - Just saying the title makes my stomach churn.  Those who saw the casting play out were somewhat hopeful when the Riddler was to be played by Jim Carry but were not thrilled at the casting of Val Kilmer as Batman and Tommy Lee Jones as Two-Face.  Then it was made even messier by the addition of the Boy Wonder.  At the time it was a hit at the Box Office, but at the time it was all you had.  The addition of the new Batman films has made Batman Forever a distant, but ugly, memory.

8.)  Jonah Hex - I think many would put it closer to the top but I gave it top marks for makeup.  The whole “skin across the mouth” thing was well done (although I confess that I still have no clue as to how one could end up like that and not take a scissors and just clip the darn thing).  That being said, whoever decided to make this a film should get a hearty slap in the mouth.  This old west bounty hunter deserves more than being made a joke of on film.  Remember, this was fresh off the heels of Blade and Ghost Rider, so the studio was only too glad to give it the thumbs up.  But with Josh Brolin not able to enunciate properly and the Director Jimmy Heyward seeing that doing this film was MUCH different than doing his Pixar films, it was terrible.

7.)  Ghost Rider - I know, I know, I just said that the studios approved Jonah Hex on the heels of Ghost Rider BUT, even though a small box office bounty, Ghost Rider’s campy script and ridiculous villains places it on this list.  I will admit that although I am a Nicholas Cage fan (for such hits as FACE OFF and LORD OF WAR) even he couldn’t salvage this film.  This should be shown in a film class on how to have world class special effects and good actors and STILL be a bomb people want to forget.

6.)  Trinity - Wait, isn’t that another Ryan Reynolds movie?  Why, yes it is!  I don’t think it’s a secret that Blade was an incredible film.  I even give Blade II props for putting together a stellar cast, strong special effects, and a great storyline.  But Trinity just made no sense from the beginning.  It also has the distinction of being the first movie to prominently feature the made-up Esperanto language.  All this on top of bringing in new people, killing off old ones, and Ryan Reynolds’ tired sarcastic monologues (yet, in all of Hollywood’s brilliance this chowderhead is cast as Green Lantern, which stank, and now Deadpool where his mouth may prove valuable).  Although I haven’t seen it I understand that the DVD’s “extras” include a scene where Goyer the writer interviews Goyer the Director.  It’s kind of like ramming your head into a wall but with less opportunity for reward.

5.)  Green Lantern - By this point you must think that I have it out for Ryan Reynolds and, frankly, I do in a way.  I’m not a big fan since his only acting consists of remarks that aren’t funny that he tries to make funny.  There’s not much range to his acting.  But, I’m not the only one who feels this way about the movie.  Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 26% green splotchy thing and it got a staggering 1.5 stars.  (See?  It’s not just me.)  What with Ryan’s usual lines of sarcasm and the incredibly dull writing, this film took an awesome comic character and smashed it to pieces.  I know Hal Jordan and you, sir, are no Hal Jordan.  Add this to the list of garage sale fodder.

4.)  Barb Wire - Many would like you to forget this movie based on a short lived comic series, especially Pamela Anderson who played the lead character.  Being a huge Pamela Anderson fan, and not for her acting, I could see why she shouldn’t be counted on to pull this movie above it’s poor premise and “Casablanca-esque” writing.  That being said, Pamela does have the “attributes” needed for the tight fit latex costumes that grace the super-heroines.  This film however did not have the “attributes” needed to make it a good film.  If you have a choice between watching this movie and jumping on broken glass weigh your options.

3.)  Catwoman  Watch how two terrible films effect one another...it’s kind of neat.  Tim Burton and Michelle Pfeiffer (remember her?  me neither) were given the thumbs up to make this film while the Batman franchise was all the rage.  Unfortunately, the script for this movie was delivered the same day that Batman Forever premiered and it was mothballed (this is a classic case of cause and effect.  you didn’t think you’d be learning physics today did you?)   After years of bickering Halle Berry was cast as Catwoman and French visual effects supervisor Pitof was selected to make the film work.  It didn’t.  It earned Halle a Razzie and Pitof an early retirement.

2.)  The Spirit (2008) - This was an epic failure on more than one front.  First, the effects in this movie were nothing short of horrific.  You could make better effects in your kitchen with a couple of eggs, some yarn, a paper clip and a pinch of oregano.  Second, they took a huge success in Will Eisner’s character The Spirit and reduced it to burning rubble.  If the name sounds familiar, yes, we are talking about THE Will Eisner who the prestigious Eisner Award is named after.  They took his baby, not just anyone’s baby, HIS baby, and trashed it.    It had unforgettably bizarre and disturbing acting from Scarlett Johansson and Samuel Jackson (who played the character “Octopus”).  The height of the movie is when The Spirit is bound in a contraption resembling a dentist chair while Jackson in an SS type uniform drones on about death.  That, in itself, pegs the gag-meter.

1.)  Howard the Duck - How could this possibly be the worst comic adaptation?  Easily.  This was George Lucas’ baby after he stepped down as president of LucasFilm to focus on producing.  He should have stayed as President and rested on his Star Wars fame.  It’s a shame, really, as Howard the Duck is a great character that has come a long way since his introduction in Adventure into Fear in 1973.  He has a certain style with his direct and cruel wit accompanied by his love of cigars.  The problem is that the character in the film was nothing like that.  He was amiable and lovable....NOT very Howard the Duck.  There was also a sexual side, which was never in the comics, that became evident in the female duck whose nipples were evident on her rather large breasts throughout her scenes.  I’m not lying, watch the film and you tell me.  It was a brilliant idea gone astray and, if a movie is ever made again, I will deliberate between laying out the money for a ticket and laying the money on the floor and burning it.

Well, there you have it.  The Comic Whisperer’s list of The Top 10 Comic Book Movie Adaptations I’ve Tried To Push Out Of My Head.  Let me know if you have any additions or subtractions.  No matter how you slice it Ryan Reynolds has to go.

I’m Buying An Apartment In Astro City

OK, OK I will admit I missed the bus on this one.

I remember the day it hit the shelves actually.

The beautiful art on the cover, the intriguing title, the comic company I had not yet had the honor to get books from, Homage Comics, and the incredibly talented writer Kurt Busiek of a Red Tornado Limited Series, Power Man and Iron Fist comics and a run with the Avengers.

It was a powerful combination but I already had far more comics in my hands than I had the money for (I have 10,000+ comics, so I really don’t NEED more, but I WANT more).  I just couldn’t justify putting down a favored comic for an unknown.  What a mistake.

I need to take a step back here and say that I am a fan of Kurt Busiek.  If you have ever read about Kurt’s background you will see that he has had an interest in comics for many, many moons and he fought hard to break into comic writing.  I don’t know Kurt personally (although I’d love to) but I can tell you that he fought for what he wanted and deserved what he got...an Eisner Award winning comic in Astro City.  It won Best New Series, Best Single Issue (for the first issue) and Best Cover Artist.  This is the cover for that game changing comic:

Recently, however, I was given a second chance.

The flea market where I am known as The Comic Whisperer recently had a run of Astro City available.  The price is unimportant...me having the run was VERY important.

It could NOT have been a better purchase.

In short, Astro City is about a fictional American city of the same name.  The first series debuted in 1995 published by Image Comics and since published by Homage Comics, part of the Windstorm Signature Series.  It’s written by Kurt Busiek with character designs and cover paintings by Alex Ross.

Astro City was published from 1995 - 1998 then came back again in 2003 with "Local Heroes" and "Dark Ages" story arcs.  The Dark Ages ran 16 issues.  In those issues the characters pondered the functions and motivations of superpowered beings and their fit into the community (it was very “Watchmen-esque”).  Dark Ages went from 2005 - 2010.  Then in June 2013, Astro City went monthly published by the powerhouse Vertigo Comics.  The thing that makes Astro City stand apart, besides its incredible art, is that the stories are told as third person OR told by the criminals or heroes from their perspectives.  The writing and art wound up taking up a style all their own completely different from the comic books I have read since childhood.

Not to sell other writers and other comics short, but the issues are captivating with their art alone.  The art is magnificent.  Take a gander:

It’s almost as if it’s from a different age.  Every panel looks like a mural someone would have painted on the side of a building.  EVERY PANEL.   It also takes me to a different time.  A time when things were easier, the colors brighter, the women more beaut.....well, you get the point.  I will honestly say that in the 45 years I have been writing and collecting comics there has never been a series that has captivated my attention like Astro City.  As I have read over 10,000 that’s saying something.

If you have already read it, you know what I am talking about.  If you haven’t read it already go out and buy it.  You certainly won’t regret it.

CHALLENGE! CAN YOU SOLVE IT BEFORE WE DO An Idea That Should Be Revisited

DC had an idea that I love to this day and I feel it would have been HUGE if the internet was around to spread the idea.  Let’s revisit something that would go big if done today.

The idea was a series of comics called CHALLENGE:  CAN YOU SOLVE IT BEFORE WE CAN?

DC Challenge was a 12-issue comic book series produced by DC Comics from November 1985 - October 1986.  It was a round robin experiment in narrative.  The tagline was “Can you solve it before we can?”

I want to interject here real quick about when this came out.  In 1985 - 1986 I was in college and the internet was just in it’s infancy.  The fact is there really wasn’t one readily available.  The only thing one could do is send messages to people across seas.  I did it regularly.  The issue was that you could send a message but it could take hours or days to get a reply.  Because the login to the messaging site was so complicated, and there was no notification system that you got a message, people may never get back to you.  So, there really wasn’t a way for great ideas to spread quickly like they do today.  OK, now back to the story.

The series concept was conceived during the San Diego ComiCon in 1983 during a rooftop party.  The full story can be found in the editorial section of the first edition of CHALLENGE!

The idea was that each chapter, or comic, would be written by a different author and illustrated by a different artist.  Sounds simple right?  Just wait.  No consultation between authors and illustrators was allowed.  Further, each chapter would end in a seemingly impossible cliffhanger from which that chapter’s author had to have planned a feasible escape, and the name of the next chapter would be provided.  Authors could use any character or concept currently in the DC bullpen (at the time there were 50 years of characters to use) EXCEPT those whose appearance they were currently writing.  The last issue would then be a collaborative effort by six of the twelve writers.

Again, let me interject.  Think about this for a minute.  The first writer and artists probably had it easy.  Take some characters and go crazy with them by putting them into bizarre scenarios, and cook up a crazy cliffhanger, for the next team.  The next team then had approximately 30 days to come up with a “response” comic.  So, if you put yourself in the place of Team 2 you realize that they have to take what is given them, continue the storyline, then come up with their own twists and impossible cliffhanger ending.  Imagine how difficult this really was.  You are served up whatever the team before you can imagine and then you have to create a story with a different set of characters to make a feasibly connected storyline.  Then, in the last issue, you had to tie all of the previous twists and turns together into a cohesive ending that made sense.  Yikes.  Personally I’d like to see that type of challenge again today.  It truly lived up to the tagline “Can you solve it before we can?” because nobody, including the writers and artists, knew how it would end until...well...the end.

I won’t lay out each chapter and who was in it but I do want to give a shout out to the writers and artists who were involved in the incredible undertaking:

The writers were Mark Evanier, Len Wein, Doug Moench, Paul Levitz, Mike W. Barr, Elliot S. Maggin, Paul Kupperberg, Gerry Conway, Roy Thomas, Dan Mishkin, Marv Wolfman and Cary Bates.

On the artist side you had Tom Mandrake, Ross Andru, Frank McLaughlin, Steve Lightle, Stan Woch, Jan Duursema, Luke McDonnell, Denys Cowan, Dan Spiegle, Keith Giffen, Curt Swan, Terry Austin, Don Heck, Rick Hoberg, Dick Giordano, Gene Colan, Bob Smith, Chuck Patton, Mike DeCarlo, Carmine Infantino, Gil Kane, Klaus Janson, Dave Gibbons, Mike Farmer, Dan Jurgens and Joe Staton.

The featured characters involved a HUGE lineup and dug DEEP into the DC vault.  The characters were Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, Adam Strange, Riddler, B’wana Beast, Jonah Hex, Congorilla, Hawkwoman, Aquaman, Viking Prince, Hawkman, Martian Manhunter, Zatanna, Detective Chimp, Jimmy Olsen, Doctor Fate, Captain Comet, Captain Marvel, Uncle Sam, Blackhawks, Silent Knight, Deadman, Mister Mxyzptlk, Plastic Man, Woozy Winks, Orion, Enemy Ace, Lightly, Joker, Geo-Force, Metron, Son of Vulcan, Guradians of Oa, Tomar Re, Arisia, Vigilante, Phantom Stranger, Darkseid, Desaad, Green Lantern, Flash, Elongated Man, Vixen, Vibe, Firestorm, Spectre and Perry White.

Here are the covers from 1 - 12.

 

 

 

 

 

All total there were 12 writers, 26 Artists, and 48 characters.  When has a 12 issue series had that many writers, artists and characters?  If you haven’t read them, do so, they are a masterpiece of art and writing.

Dick Giordano was the original editor of the series but turned the job over to Robert Greenberger before the first issue was published.

My argument here is that in this day and age of social media and the internet a collaboration like this would have received much more fanfare, and a much higher distribution, than it did back then.  Perhaps it’s time that DC take a look back at projects like this and reissue them so that the fans of today can enjoy them and give the writers and artists the credit they deserve for such an undertaking.

A special thanks to Wikipedia for the backstory, along with the editorial page in issue 1 of Challenge!

The 10 Super-Heroes I’d Like To See Done PROPERLY In The Movies

I just finished a blog about the 10 villains I’d like to see done properly in the movies, so let’s just say that the introduction is the same as that one.  I don’t try to even out DC and Marvel heroes, nor do I list them in the order of preference or importance.  There may even be some that have been in movies already that I’d like to see redone and redone properly.  All that being said, let’s cut to the meat of it.

1.)  The Flash:  Come on, arguably the most powerful of all the heroes in the DC Universe and he’s been absent?  “Most Powerful”?  Come on, what about Superman?  (this is you saying this to me in case it’s unclear).  Yes, the most powerful (this is me again).  He can run super fast, he can travel in time, he can mess with the time stream, he can vibrate through walls, and other things you already know.  I think he is out and out a powerhouse.  Not muscle-wise, but in other ways.  He’s been done on TV (done poorly, but he has been done), now let’s get him into a movie....but done properly.

2.)  Ghost Rider:  But, but, but hasn’t he already been in a couple of movies?  Yes, he has, but not done well.  If you’ve seen the movies you know what I’m talking about.  Voted by many as the worst comic character movies ever made, Ghost Rider was a disaster.  With updated CGI and better actors that Nicholas Cage there should be no reason that one of the coolest characters in comicdom can’t be remade into a huge hit.

3.)  Grendel:  The only one to make it on both of my lists, Grendel is a versatile character.  Books could be written about the arguments you could make with this character.  First, Grendel is not DC or Marvel.  In fact, you may not even know Grendel.  If you don’t, get some of the books you won’t regret it.  Second, for those of you who do know Grendel, which version should be used?  The male?  The female?  The young?  The old?  The Villain who fought Batman and The Shadow?  The “hero” who tried to escort a child safely across dangerous lands?  Who cares....just put Grendel in a movie and make him/her/it look awesome!  Grendel is, perhaps, my favorite comic character of all time.  I have the books, statues, etc.  A big thanks to Matt Wagner who made Grendel possible.

4.)  Doctor Strange:  The one time Sorcerer Supreme is a great candidate for his own film.  I know there one is in the making.  Let’s hope they do it right.  It won’t take much...get a strong actor...put him in a well made costume....add some special effects to show his magical might...add script and shake well and you have a movie!  Have him square off with any of the fan favorite villains and you should have a success!  Is there a doctor in the house?

5.)  Martian Manhunter:  I have mixed emotions about this one.  His character in the comic books is so powerful it is said that he could beat Superman in an all out fight to the death.  Yet, it is rare that they show him as being so formidable.  That could be rectified by showing him as the juggernaut that he is in a movie.  Start with his origin, show why he came to Earth, and then give him a solo project away from the Justice League.  CGI would be needed to give the full breadth of his power, but Guardians of the Galaxy showed that CGI can be made to look as real as real can be.  

6.)  Midnighter:  Hands down one of my top 5 favorite characters Midnight is an incredible hero that deserves a shot at the silver screen.  With his ability to think a fight all the way through before it even begins, put him up agains Jet Li or something creative like that.  Again, just a guy in a costume would  do it along with some well choreographed fight scenes. Sure, he’s been with The Authority and Stormwatch, but let him go solo on this gig.

7.)  Grifter:  With all the shoot-em-up Rambo like movies that have made it big, how could they have not made a film with Grifter in it?  Incredible reflexes, down and dirty, guns-a-blazing, and a hanky covering his face, Grifter is a character worthy of his own flick.  Put him in the next Expendables movie next to Sylvester Stallone or in a Full Metal Jacket II.  He’ll quickly become a fan favorite, I can guarantee it.

8.)  Iron Fist:  Again, with all the successes had by the martial arts films I am stunned that there hasn’t been an Iron Fist movie.  As both DC and Marvel have used up their top characters in films already this would be the perfect time to introduce Iron Fist and his origin.  It’s a cool story and could make for some great special effects.  You would draw the male demographic, the martial arts demographic, and the women who like guys with dragons on their chest demographic.  No matter how you spin it an Iron Fist movie would be awesome!

9.)  Scarlet Spider:  If you don’t know the origin of the Scarlet Spider I’m going to need you to research it yourself.  It’s far too in-depth for me to elaborate on here.  The long and short of it is that the Scarlet Spider is a stronger, cooler, more agile version of Spider-Man minus the ethics.  Scarlet Spider pretty much marches to his own drummer and if that means beating up an old lady, so be it.  It’s everything Spider-Man would never be except for the fact that he’s a clone of Peter Parker.  Wait, I said I wouldn’t get into that.  If you want to really juice up the ratings, put him in a movie with Spider-Man...it would be double the fun!

10.)  Cloak and Dagger:  Yes, I know it’s two super-heroes but it still counts as my tenth choice.  Not only do Cloak and Dagger have a great background that is relevant to this day and age they are also a powerful duo.  With Cloak able to send people to some nether realm Dagger being all beautiful and able to throw daggers of light, this team would translate well to the big screen.  The only drawback?  They aren’t exactly household names like Wolverine or Superman.  All characters started there, however, and the way to bring them out is through advertising and making them into kid’s meal toys.  Bring this pair to the general public and watch people swoon.

Well, there you have it.  The top 10 super-heroes they should bring to the big screen if they agree to do them PROPERLY.  It’s high time to start moving away from Batman 12 and Superman 17.  Give them a rest.  You’re running out of ideas and it shows.  Bring people up from the bench and watch the box office overflow.

Give me your feedback, who would you choose?

The 10 Villains I Want To See Done PROPERLY In The Movies

I’m sure there are a couple of you like me out there.  You know, the type of person who wants to see the villain win once in awhile.  The kind of person who appreciates the super heroes, and wants the good guys to win in real life, but in the movies would like to see them get slapped around a little.  The kind of person who would like to see Thanos or Dr. Doom or Lex Luthor as the last one standing.

But, I want to see them done properly.

I don’t want something sloppily done like villains in the Ghost Rider movie (or even Ghost Rider for that matter).  That was a mockery.  I’m talking super special effects, holy cow that guy looks real, I’m not going to sleep very well tonight, type of villain.  A villain that is a strong representation of the comic book character.

Let me say, however, that there will be some characters that have been done in movies who I do not mention.  Characters like the Joker (who has been changed and rehashed ad-nauseum) who I feel was incredibly done by Heath Ledger.  So, I may not mention some obvious, and devious, villains.

I make no attempt to even out DC and Marvel villains (and the one other choice mentioned) nor are they mentioned in order of preference or importance.  It is just a list of villains and I love them all.

Without further delay, here’s the list:

1.)  Dr. Doom:  I know, I know, you’re going to say that he was in the most recent Fantastic Four movie.  But, again, I said that I want a “strong” representation of the comic book character.  It kills me that with all the special effects we have, and the multitude of years he’s been represented in comic books, that he is STILL not done well in movies.  Is this really him?  Ummmm, no.  He wears a metal outfit, people, not some Freddy Krueger type of get-up. 

2.)  Galactus:  Come on, tell me that you wouldn’t want to see a full size Galactus in the movies devouring a planet.  Oh yes you would.  How awesome would that be to see that on a huge screen with surround sound.  I get goose bumps just thinking about it.

3.)  Darkseid:  I don’t think anyone would argue that Darkseid is just a different version of Thanos (which I’ll discuss shortly).  Properly done those omega rays would be incredible as they exploded on Superman’s chest (or went through it, depending on the writers).  I have seen some incredible cosplay of Darkseid over the years and in the movies he could be just plain fantastic.

4.)  Thanos:  Let’s get it out of the way now, you can easily argue that he has been seen briefly in movies and that he looks good.  I would then give you a hearty slap.  The Thanos we have seen, every so briefly, in the movies looks like a muppet.  Granted, this may not be the Thanos that we see in upcoming films, I’ll give you that.  I would add that THAT BETTER NOT BE THE THANOS WE SEE IN UPCOMING FILMS!  With all the CGI potential out there there is no reason to make him look like a muppet.  Anyway, he has destroyed the universe, commanded the infinity gems, asked Death to be his girlfriend, and defeated anyone who came near him.  What hasn’t he done?

5.)  Deathstroke the Terminator:  If you watch the show “Arrow” that has been running for a couple of years now, you have seen their version of Deathstroke.  It’s terrible.  Why doesn’t the comic book industry have a lobbying group that protests misrepresentations like this?  Deathstroke is and incredible villain, that could be played by someone in a costume, that has yet to be in a movie.  I haven’t checked upcoming films to see if he’s in any of them, but I doubt he is.  His obvious counterpart, Deadpool, is in a movie (played by the former Green Lantern, Ryan Reynolds, which I hold a particular loathing for).  You’ve had to put it together, right?  Slade Wilson and Wade Wilson?    The same person with a different look and, well, facial scarring.  Anyway, put Deathstoke in a movie and we’ll call it even.  And DON’T let them pull the crap they did in “Arrow”.

6.)  Brainiac:  How is it that they made so many Superman movies and never had Brainiac in any of them?  But let me clarify, I’m talking the huge skull-like spaceship Brainiac, not the human with a couple of electrodes on his head and green skin Brainiac.  Again, this would be a CGI thing, not some model strung up with fishing line, and it has potential.  Let’s bring him on!

7.)  Venom:  Please, tell me you haven’t thought of this one yourself during all of those Spider-Man makes and remakes.  You could even start where Spider-Man got the symbiotic outfit and then, as the movie builds, have it evolve into Venom.  Get rid of this “Electro” nonsense and the Green Goblin.  Let’s face it, Norman Osborn has become a bigger villain than the Green Goblin at this point and it’s gotten old and tired.  So, let’s make a change for the better and go with MY choice...Venom!

8.)  The Anti-Monitor:  Oh, yeah, the big guy.  The one who killed Supergirl and gave the entire DC Universe a run for it’s money.  Any comic fan worth his salt has read Crisis on Infinite Earths and can tell the story.  Bring on the Anti-Monitor!  ‘Nuff Said.

9.)  Grendel:  Books could be written about the arguments you could make with this character.  First, Grendel is not DC or Marvel.  In fact, you may not even know Grendel.  If you don’t, get some of the books you won’t regret it.  Second, for those of you who do know Grendel, which version should be used?  The male?  The female?  The young?  The old?  The Villain who fought Batman and The Shadow?  The “hero” who tried to escort a child safely across dangerous lands?  Who cares....just put Grendel in a movie and make him/her/it look awesome!  Grendel is, perhaps, my favorite comic character of all time.  I have the books, statues, etc.  A big thanks to Matt Wagner who made Grendel possible.

10.)  Reverse Flash/Professor Zoom:  No matter what you call him the Reverse Flash has caused a multitude of problems for the Flash over the years.  Killing people, screwing up the time stream, etc., etc.  He is a character that has been, unsurprisingly, absent from any DC movies.  This, of course, is for the obvious reason that the Flash has been absent as well.  Frankly, if the movie would be anything like the TV show, don’t bother.  I would prefer to see it done right.  Professor Zoom, or whatever you call yourself, you have my vote!

I’m sure you have your own list and I would welcome you to share it.  You may even disagree with my votes and I would welcome you to share it.  You may even think I’m dead wrong about some characters who have been represented in movies and I would welcome you to share it.  No matter what your vote I think you’ll agree that there needs to be more villains and less rehashing of the same old thing.

Just Give Me a Friggin’ Sign!!

This post will be somewhat of a rehash and it won’t focus as much on comics like normal, but it needed to be written.  Consider it therapeutic.

It’s no secret that my son and I are trying, very hard mind you, to get our business regional and national attention.  The fact is that this blog is read internationally as well as nationally.  I want to thank all of the readers in China, Japan, Malaysia, Germany, the UK, Portugal, the US, Canada, and several other countries.  The hard part about thanking people is that you don’t want to miss anyone, so if I missed you I apologize.

Anyway, we are trying to get our business more exposure.  As you know, we buy, sell and appraise comic books and we run a charity called “Comics Help Kids Read” that gets comic books in the hands of kids who are learning to read.

Recently I’ve felt as though we weren’t gaining enough traction and saw that we were actually losing followers on Twitter and Facebook.  Being a hard working and ethical person I often look to the universe to somehow reward me for staying on the right path and doing the right thing.  In the past this has always been the case.  I also look for signs that the universe is listening and look for any possible forms of “feedback” that confirm that it’s “listening".

I got that feedback recently and here’s the story.

I keep notes posted all over my office and bathroom (the two places I spend time thinking) that are motivational and designed to help me with my “self-talk”, the stuff I say to myself in my head.

Oh, don’t tell me you don’t talk to yourself in your head.  You give yourself feedback constantly.  Things like, “I look terrible in this shirt” or “Why couldn’t I get that thing to work?”.  That kind of stuff.

Having read that your “self talk” is very important I keep these notes hanging all over the place and my wife puts up with it.  I want to remind myself to think positive.  To put those positive vibes out into the universe.

Then I check to see if the universe is listening.

It sounds freaky and new-ageish, if new-age is even a term anymore, but it’s not.  It’s being written about more and more that what you say to yourself is important and what you think changes your life.

I recently started a business partnership with someone to do something outside the comic book industry.  Like you, I need income so I needed a revenue stream to keep a roof over my head.  But in doing so the doubts hit me.  Shouldn’t I stay focused on one thing?  Shouldn’t I stick with the comic book business and keep pushing until it takes off?  I admit I was really torn.  It’s no secret that my wife has cancer and if I don’t have income I can’t take care of her and my kids.

So, I put it out to the universe.  What should I do?  Where should I focus?  I need an answer!!

I didn’t immediately see an answer as I had hoped.  Trust me, I looked and looked.

So, here’s the rehash part.

Then yesterday it came.

I was in my office working on plans for The Comic Whisperer and how we could continue to grow and I, as always, heard a piece of a TV show my wife was watching.  It was the Garage Brothers.  A show I blogged about previously.

As I said in the previous blog I don’t watch much TV, I prefer to read or mess around on my iPad, so I don’t catch many episodes of, well, anything.  Name a show and I can virtually guarantee you I haven’t seen more than a couple of episodes...if any.  There are exceptions; I love American Horror Story, Impractical Jokers, The Carbonaro Effect and Dexter (which is no longer making new episodes) but in general I don’t spend much time in front of the TV.

So, since Garage Brothers has had many episodes that aired the chances of me seeing (or hearing in this case) an episode I was familiar with was virtually nil.  Actually, that’s what’s nice about not watching TV.  Whenever you sit down in front of the boob tube you are almost guaranteed not to see a rerun.

Hearing it was on, and me needing to take a lunch break,  and almost guaranteed that I hadn’t seen the episode, I sauntered into the living room and sat down.  The show was at a point where they were just uncovering something so I came in at a good point.  I recognized the piece immediately.   They were uncovering a statue of the Silver Surfer.  This was the show with the comic book expert....the only episode I have ever seen.  The very one I blogged about.  What were the odds??

I took it as my sign.  Stick with the comic book business.  Stick with doing what I know and love.  After all, isn’t naming a show Garage Brothers making a commitment?  They can’t exactly go off and start an accounting firm.  They are committed.  American Horror Story can’t start showing a romance (unless it has a gruesome ending).  They are committed.  Michael Carbonaro can’t do a show on remodeling houses (unless he just makes new furniture appear).  He’s committed.

Again, I owe a debt to the Garage Brothers.  It’s just weird that the lesson comes from the same freakin’ episode.

All this being said, we can’t fail can we?  The universe told us so through that episode, right?  The odds of seeing the same episode when countless others could have been aired is too small, right?  It had to be a sign.  Well, this sign said “Garage Brothers” and I am going to take it and run with it.  It’s what I wanted anyway.

Please support us on:

Facebook:       The Comic Whisperer
Twitter:           @Comic_Whisperer
Instagram:      The Comic Whisperer
Our Charity:   www.gofundme.com/comicshelpkidsread

We look forward to many years of serving you.  The universe said so.