Nov
17
2008
A retcon is a change to the continuity of a story that goes into effect retroactively - not only does the change in the status quo affect the story from then on, but it also establishes that things have always been this way, and any older stories that contradict this reality should be ignored or adapted to fit. It is a practice that DC and Marvel engage in regularly, much to the irritation of plot- and continuity-obsessed readers. However, it is not only the Big Two who change established continuity: it can happen in long-running independent entirely creator-owned series like Terry Moore’s Strangers in Paradise.
If you are unfamiliar with the series, which ended in 2007, at its heart, it is the story of a group of people and how true love, truth and lies, and lust and obsession affect their lives. Initially, the focus is on the love between three characters: Francine, Katchoo, and David. However, as the series progressed and more characters gained voices and importance, the story developed to accommodate them. It is a good comic with many powerful and emotional moments, and with some excellent fully realized characters, and there are parts where the story, art and dialog shine. It has its weaknesses: the mafia-style Big Six organization’s story requires a lot of suspension of disbelief and distracts from the starker and more interesting reality of the main story; and the series arguably goes on for too long, leaving it sagging in the middle. That said, I still highly recommend it, especially the first few volumes, and especially to first-time comic readers.
However, despite being the vision of one writer, there is one glaring inconsistency that makes it difficult to read through the whole series and completely get lost in the world he created.
(The rest of this post contains plot spoilers for Strangers in Paradise.) Continue Reading »
Oct
14
2008
As I mentioned on Sunday, I finally found Birds of Prey issue 42, one of he few issues of the series I was missing and actively hunting for. A prequel to the series, it is set after Barbara Gordon’s time with the Suicide Squad, but before the first time she contacted Black Canary, and it deals with events that have been referenced but never explained in other issues of the series. The readers know that Power Girl had gone on a mission, and things had ended so badly that she had sworn never to do any more work for Oracle. Even much later, in issue 100, when Power Girl receives an invitation to join the expanded roster of Oracle’s team, she simply says “When Hell freezes over,” and dumps the invitation. I was always curious as to the details of this mission gone wrong, imagining all sorts of scenarios, and now I´ve finally had a chance to read the story.
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Sep
09
2008
Gail Simone’s Birds of Prey was one of my favorite comics, one of the ones I had on order and would read first when I got home. The stories were thrilling and fun, and the art was always excellent, but most importantly, the characters were excellent. Each character had their own voice and role, and all were allowed to grow through her 4½-year run on the book. The character interaction was great: the strong friendship and love between Barbara Gordon (Oracle) and Dinah Lance (Black Canary); the initial mistrust Helena Bertinelli (Huntress) showed to Barbara and vice versa, and their falling out that nearly shattered the team; their subsequent reconcilliation; Zinda Blake and Helena’s friendship; Dinah and Lady Shiva’s mutual respect despite their lack of understanding of each other. Each interaction was believable, and the dialog rang true. The arc of Barbara and Helena’s relationship stands out in my mind as a long-planned and carefully realized story.
Naturally, Gail Simone couldn’t write Birds of Prey forever. Much as she admitted to loving the characters, she felt the need to move on, but says that she misses the characters. Well, I think if the characters were real, they’d miss her too: I certainly miss her hand on the book.
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Sep
04
2008
Emma Frost could have been a great comic. With a female lead who was not just a copy of a more successful male super-hero, but a popular, complex and interesting character in her own right, it could have been a rival for DC’s success with Birds of Prey and Catwoman, but it lasted only 18 months and has been largely forgotten. The main problem with it is that it seems to have been edited by two different people, one working on the covers and marketing, the other on the interiors, neither knowing what the other was trying to achieve. It is a real shame, because it isn’t a bad comic: it just looks like one.
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