Okay, let’s see what I’ve got lying around on these ol’ internets.
First off, a couple days ago the comic strip Blondie was showing that not only is it an almost 78 year old zombie strip, it’s also trying to make progress on the comics page. Yes, on Friday, Blondie introduced a Black character. Just look at that not at all stereotypical dialogue:
Meanwhile, I found a link to a collection of geek cakes. I think the Mario one might be my favorite.
Lastly, there’s some sad news to report. The actor Julius Carry died last Wednesday from pancreatic cancer. I first saw him on the awesome sci-fi-western-self-conciously campy The Adventures of Brisco County Jr. If you haven’t checked that show out, do so, it’s amazing. Carlton Cuse, who now is a show runner for Lost was one of the show’s co-creators. One of Carry’s most notable roles though was the part of Sho’Nuff the Shogun of Harlem in the Berry Gordy produced cult classic The Last Dragon. It’s a Kung-Fu film set in Harlem, plus it has Carry reciting this classic speech:
If you’re of a more sadistic bent, perhapps you’ll get a kick out of Bunny Suicide Comics. Every episode features one or more cute cartoon bunnys attempting exciting new ways of offing themselves. It’s darkly ironic and twistedly funny.
Finally, if you’ve ever wondered what it would be like if Mary Worth, Rex Morgan; MD, Mark Trail and Garfield were a super hero team, you might have a bit too much time on your hands. However, some guys with nothing better to do have made two Protectors of the Earth videos which answer the question of what would happen if these four teamed up.
And what exciting adventures will befall your blogger hero? Well, join him next week as I blog from Lake Arrowhead.
Well, as you may recall, yesterday I wrote a letter to the L. A. Times about the unfunniness of Marmaduke. Today I opened my inbox to find a reply from the Deputy Editor of Features Sherry Stern:
Dear Michael,
Thanks for writing. I, too, wish Marmaduke were more consistently funny.
The problem is that I like to have a few comic strips for children.
Marmaduke one of the few ones anymore that are appropriate for our
youngest readers.
I’m always on the lookout for fresh comics, but most of the new
offerings are aimed for young adults or parents.
I do appreciate your letter.
Sincerely,
Sherry Stern
Deputy Editor, Features
Los Angeles Times
202 W. First St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
I am not normally one to complain however this morning I was reading the comics section of the Times and felt the need to say something about one of the strips. There is an unstated agreement between the writers of comic strips and their readers that the strip should at least try to be funny. Sure, Garfield hasn’t been funny in years, but at least there is the semblance of a lame punch line.
Today’s (August 7th) Marmaduke did not even attempt to be funny. In today’s strip, Marmaduke was depicted catching a ball in his mouth as a team of little leaguers swarmed around him with the intent to catch the ball. Meanwhile, a girl stands off to the side and says to her friends “There’s Marmaduke.”
There is no joke in this strip; it is merely a statement of fact. Cartoonist Brad Anderson is phoning it in and this is unacceptable. There are many clever and creative cartoonists out there who aren’t getting their shot because long running strips like Marmaduke get to stay on the comics page long after their expiration date has passed. Although it has been a long time since Marmaduke was funny, it has become an untouchable institution just because it’s been around since the Eisenhower administration.Imagine if other parts of the newspaper were allowed to show the same level of disinterest seen in this Marmaduke. Would we really want election coverage that read “Obama in Europe” or Olympics coverage that was little more than “China is in Asia”?
So please, the Great Dane has had a good run, but I believe it’s time to put the dog to sleep. Please, retire Marmaduke and find room for a cartoonist who cares about their craft.
The Associated Press is reporting that a man in Three Rivers, Michigan was caught stealing Dark Knight posters and other promotional items from an area movie theater. The kicker of course is that he was dressed as the Joker at the time. Maybe it’s just me, but if I were to attempt to steal things from a movie theater, I wouldn’t dress as a noted super villain.
I’m out of it for a little while and everybodygets delusions of grandeur. Here’s a quick round up of things that happened over the weekend that make me ask “What the hell is happening?”
*The film adaptation of Watchmen looks good. The trailer makes me want to believe that it’s possible to film this thing. However, I’m starting to worry because Zack Snyder has given the okay for My Chemical Romance to record a cover of Bob Dylan’s amazing song “Desolation Row” for use in the film. The original can be picked up on the classic Highway 61 Revisited album. A good band should recognizes its strenghts and weaknesses. MCR’s strenghts are being whiny, releasing over the top concept albums about death and bweing little pricks who compare themselves to Queen. Their weaknesses are everything else including covering Bob Dylan songs that shouldn’t be covered.
*Also from the unnecessary remake department, MTV has decided to remake The Rocky Horror Picture Show as a tv-movie. The plan is to use the original screenplay and possibly add new music.
*Finally, on a lighter note, Sunday’s edition of the comic strip Mary Worth featured a surprise appearance of music from the film Once.Although the singers don’t look a thing like Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova, they’re definitely singing ”Falling Slowly.”
Mark Trail is a serialized comicstrip best known for unnecessary close ups of giant animals. The basic plot of a Trail storyline has the title ranger hero go off to fight some evil that’s threatening the enviroment. Conflict is typically resolved with Mark punching the villain in the face.
That being said, here’s panel 3 from Saturday’s episode depicting what apears to be a troll holding a large piece of very pale bacon.
Apparently Paradise and Adam West aren’t too far apart. On a related note, try to track down a copy of the album “Jan and Dean meet Batman and Robin”, it’s kinda brilliant.
Tonight at Midnight I’ll be attending a midnight showing of the highly anticipated film Mama Mia The Dark Knight. It is going to be great, but I’m not sure it can ever be as good as the original Batman movie. No, not Tim Burton’s Bat-film. I’m talking about the original, classic Batman The Movie starring Adam West as the Dark Knight Detective. The Caped Crusader and the Boy Wonder take on not one but four villains, The Joker, The Penguin, Catwoman, and The Riddler. It’s a camp classic and the only part thing related to the 1960s Batman tv series that’s available on DVD. Also, it has this:
Fun Bat-Fact: In the Spanish speaking world, Bruce Wayne is known as Bruno Diaz.
