Monthly Archives: July 2022

Comics

The Bizarre Meta Issue from Spawn’s Early Days

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It’s hard to predict what will become popular in the entertainment industry. There have been so many instances where studios tried using a movie to launch a franchise…only for it to die before it even got a chance. And then there are the movies and shows that became popular out of nowhere – or despite the obstacles they had to overcome. The same can be applied to the comic book industry. At the time, I imagine only Todd McFarlane believed that Spawn would have lasted this long and continues to go strong. But that doesn’t mean he kept that to himself. He let his belief become public knowledge in the tenth issue, released back in May 1993.

In the previous issue, Al Simmons had his first fight with an angel named Angela. Spawn managed to lure Angela into a trap and defeated her. But she had left her lance in the New York alley. When Spawn went to grab it, he is seemingly transported to another place. And that is depicted in issue 10 and it gets a bit weird. The issue has these narration boxes coming from Al’s point of view. Only, it also isn’t his point of view? He’s both the Al/Spawn of his world but also the one of this alternate world too. I think the narration continuously confusing us about this is supposed to enhance a dream-like feeling of this other world. But it only makes it confusing on who exactly is supposed to be telling us what is going on.

Moving on though, Spawn goes out and finds this cave that turns out to be a prison. One one side of the wall, there are a bunch of unknown people with hands behind their back and bags covering their heads. On the other side is the actual prison. Out from the bars are this arms for all of these superheroes. None of them are actually referred to by their official names. But the way Spawn describes this group of heroes and the designs of these outstretched arms clearly indicate they are heroes from both Marvel & DC. There is even a figure that falls just sort of outright confirming it’s Superman, but referred to as “He-Who-Came-First”. They all give Spawn their power so that he can try to free them…only to fail. Oh, and we also see a female version of Violator wearing a dress made of money. Not much else to say about that.

This also counts as a crossover because this character named Cerebus arrives in this issue. I’ve never read any of Cerebus’s comics so I don’t know enough about him to give an opinion about the character. But he explains to Spawn this is a world where superheroes have been sold by their creators. That is, with the exception of this world’s Spawn. Cerebus takes Al to a home that belongs to him and to this world’s Cyan. It ends on this bittersweet moment where Al goes downstairs holding his child to greet his – or this world’s – Wanda.

So…there are a couple of ways to view this issue. Let’s look at it as if it’s 1993 and this just came out. It must have taken big brass balls to release an issue like this – and for a series that’s still technically within it’s first year of publishing! But this actually does connect to why Image Comics was created in the first place. There were artists in the comic industry that were frustrated with how they were treated by the two big companies and how their work was owned by them and not by the creators. You could read this entire issue as a big middle finger to DC & Marvel. Doesn’t necessarily excuse the awkward writing, especially with confusing narration. But I’ll grant that this was written with courage.

Now, let’s view this from the modern era. And I have to say that this is…an amusing issue. Still has flaws when it comes to the writing. But it does read differently given everything that has happened with Spawn in recent years. Spawn has run for over 300 issues, even earning the title of longest-running creator owned comic book series. It has now launched 3 new titles in an effort to created a shared universe. And the first issue of each of those titles has broken different sales records. This is no small feat for this industry, where the two leading companies are constantly restarting series with new number one issues and struggling to maintain a consistent direction for any number of books.

This issue is by far the most meta Spawn has ever been. But it came out at an awkward time. Not only was the writing for a lot of comic books at the time – especially from Image – awkward, but it was for a comic that had yet to prove any staying power. Yet in time, it has actually become something of a prophetic story for the character. I’m not going to act that the Spawn title has been perfect for it’s entire history. I’ve had some issues with it from time to time. But I find myself still connected to this character and world. And that’s most likely because Spawn’s creator still owns him and is passionate about him. Cheers to whatever lies ahead! Just make sure the writing doesn’t get as awkward like it was in this old issue and you should be fine.

Movie Reviews, Movies

Review – Nope

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When Jordan Peele released his first film “Get Out”, it became an instant hit. Audiences and critics were thrilled with the scares and engaged with the racial commentary the movie provided. It became one of the few Horror films to have been nominated for Best Picture. The follow-up, “Us”, was more complex for general movie audiences to digest. The feel of the movie was more reminiscent of Horror from the 1970s or 1980s. It actually felt inspired by the work of one of my personal favorite filmmakers, John Carpenter. Audiences still overall enjoyed it but critics and film fanatics had a ball dissecting the themes of Peele’s sophomore project. Now we have his third has come out and it’s time to see what it brings to the table.

If your looking for a film that is a spectacle to watch, then this is something you should check out. The story centers around a horse wrangler ranch in California, one that has historically worked on a number of movie sets. But the death of the family patriarch brings brother & sister home (Daniel Kaluuya & Keke Palmer respectively) and they try to financially save the ranch by taking a picture of a UFO that visits at night and selling it. Both of these actors bring strong performances to the screen. Kaluuya brings a quiet yet engaging personality to his character while Palmer brings energy that balance each other out and make them entertaining to see interact. All the performances in the movie are honestly fun to watch. From Steven Yeun who plays a rather interesting character during the first of the movie. To even Brandon Perea who plays the tech support comedic role that helps our main characters try to get evidence of alien life.

Several people have pointed out similarities between Jordan Peele’s movie & M Night Shyamalan’s movie “Signs”. Both take place on a farm/ranch and have the families deal with alien life. But that’s really as far as the similarities go. Shyamalan’s film was a dour movie, the characters devoid of any real personality. The aliens in the movie had standard designs and were taken out pathetically easily. Peele’s characters bring both depth and humor to their roles, making you both tense but can also make you laugh. And the reveal of what exactly is stalking their ranch is actually a fin spin on your typical Hollywood UFO flick. The climax of the movie is the most action-focused of Peele’s film career and that is where the spectacle of the movie takes center stage.

However, the one major flaw of the movie is the social commentary. Or rather, the movie’s failure to provide an easily identifiable connection between it’s commentary and the events playing on screen. The movie starts off with a rather tense and dread filled scene that connects to Steven Yeun’s character. You can feel that this backstory is in the film for a reason and that there is a connection between it and what’s happening in the present. But you will probably struggle to figure out what that connection is as your watching the movie. Of course, you can ponder it and do research following the credits. But it will ultimately be a distraction for you if that’s what you are going to this film to see. While “Us” is probably more abstract with it’s themes, it does provide enough clues and small details where you can at least start making the connections as you watch it. But there might be some people who will be initially confused by what this new offering has to say.

Overall though, this is a very enjoyable film. One that provides spectacle and commentary, even if the latter is a bit tricky to properly identify. A film that enjoys playing with tropes and the familiarity of this kind of UFO story that has tense scenes and entertaining performances. I would say that this is definitely worth going to the theaters for.

Movie Reviews, Movies

Review – Saint Maud

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A24 has grown to occupy a unique standing in Hollywood. They are quite possibly the biggest independent film studio at the moment. But it does feel like they have grown into one of the biggest studios in Hollywood, along studios like Warner Brothers and Paramount. Their brand and style has become well known among critics and general audiences alike. They are best known for producing movies with a unique dramatic and/or horror focus. Even for films where they only acted as distributors, they often carry a style that’s pretty similar to other work A24 has been involved in. That can be seen with this British Horror film which had flown under the radar for a lot of people but has gone on to be considered a modern classic of the genre.

A former hospital nurse known as Katie has left her job prior to the film to become a hospice nurse, going by the name Maud. In addition to the professional change, she has recently converted to Roman Catholicism and takes her faith seriously. To the point where she claims to feel God communicate with her, although not with words but sensations that her body feels. She likes the work that she does but feels like everything is leading her towards some higher purpose that God has planned. This seems to take shape when she becomes the nurse for a sick former dancer named Amanda. Things seem to go well at first, and it appears as though Amanda might have an interest in sharing Maud’s religion. Maud takes that as a a sign that she could save a soul and takes it seriously. But when she becomes a bit too involved in Amanda’s personal life, things take a sharp turn downward. All of it leading to Maud making violent choices with no opportunity to turn away. Even if she wanted to back out.

This film serves as the directorial debut of Rose Glass. Watching the movie, you start to notice how the movie is influenced by Horror flicks of the 1970s. A couple of comparisons that have been made are to the films “Carrie” and “The Exorcist”. But I think another film that might have inspired Miss Glass’s movie is the Scorsese film “Taxi Driver”. Maud’s personal life is shown as being practically non-existent ever since she left the hospital and converted. Her personal apartment is very small with only the bare essentials. She doesn’t seem to have any friends, although one former friend that also worked at the hospital does make an effort to try and reconnect during the film’s plot. Maud is solely focused on her work that she considers noble. But finds bigger purpose with Amanda, despite her firing Maud following a physical altercation. She takes it on herself to become the savior of someone she sees as in trouble.

Based on that, Maud does have vague similarities De Niro’s character Travis Pickle. But adding in the influence from those 70s Horror films turns it into a more unique film. Maud appears to have some sort of literal connection to the supernatural, which she views as God communicating to her. However, if you pay attention to the scenes where the supernatural events occur, she is the only one actually experiencing it or reacting to it. The movie’s visuals play with the idea of what Maud is experiencing is actually happening or if she is imagining it. Of course, Maud truly believes that it is God. But Amanda, despite seemingly interested in converting, eventually reveals that she was just playing with Maud. Her reasoning being that dying is boring. There is one scene early on in the movie where you do get the feeling she isn’t being entirely sincere. But that scene also starts fueling the possibility that the other supernatural elements aren’t actually there either, serving a dual purpose.

A more recent film to compare this movie with that also was influenced by Martin Scorsese’s work is “Joker”. That film could be read as happening in a variety of different ways. It is heavily debated whether any of the events in the movie happened, if it was all real, or if some of it was real but actually played out differently. The movie leaves all of those possibilities and theories open. But with “Saint Maud”, despite playing with the idea of how much of it is actually happening, you get the feeling that the movie prefers you view the supernatural elements as all being in Maud’s mind. While not explicitly described, you get enough of Maud’s past to know that a horrible death happened at her old hospital job where she tried to save the patient’s life but failed. The former co-worker who tries to reconnect with Maud tries to re-connect and give her support. But despite latching onto the offer for a human connection, Maud continues to isolate herself and keep focused on what she views as her mission. All of Maud’s actions and choices since that day at the hospital could be her mind’s way of making sense of what happened. Quite possibly breaking down over a period of time.

And that’s what brings us to the overall theme of the movie. Maud’s passion in her faith and mission to save Amanda’s soul starts being shown as a woman losing herself in obsession. Someone who is trying to comprehend past trauma but ultimately succumbing to violence resulting in death. Maud would no doubt view her story as something similar to “The Exorcist”, a story of someone wresting with faith but ultimately winning over evil both internal and external. But to the audience, it’s a mixture of “Carrie” and “Taxi Driver”. Someone who has become socially isolated, views her environment as a decaying world and ultimately a distraction from her mission. And while human connection does seem to be teased and become a reality, it is ripped out from under her, and so she takes matters into her own hands.

If you are a fan of 1970s Horror and/or enjoy psychological suspense that plays with perception of reality, this is an easy pick to watch. You will become engaged with Maud as you follow her throughout the movie’s running time. And by the end, regardless of how you view the supernatural elements, you will feel both fear of Maud as well as pity for her. This is a hidden gem that deserves to be seen.

Film Editorials, Movies

A Reinterpretation of American History X

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This movie has gotten a fair amount of attention back when it first came out. Critics praised the themes and message that the movie was saying about Hate and the relation to Racism. It was even used as part of a campaign to raise awareness of Human Rights across several college campuses. There were debates about the film, with one group thinking the white gang (Disciples of Christ) were just a marginal group that only represented an extreme. I’m not going to dispute anything that has been previously talked about when others have analyzed the film. But I do believe that following the 2016 US Presidential Election and the aftermath of the 2020 US Presidential Election that there is a new layer of meaning that should be examined regarding the film.

By the end of the movie, the overall message we are supposed to take is that Hate doesn’t fix anything. It doesn’t improve anything if we are making actions based on that emotion. And the final scene of the movie illustrates the kind of consequences that come from acting on said emotion. But there is another important lesson that has been pointed out that I want to expand on slightly. In various scenes of the film, Derek Vinyard is shown to be second-in-command of a rising White Supremacy organization thanks to the mentorship of a man named Cameron Alexander. A seemingly average law-abiding citizen with a clean rep sheet that teachers his racist ideology to Derek following the death of the young man’s father. Derek then spreads the ideology to a bunch of lost kids to build the Disciples of Christ. And it is assumed by the audience that Cameron is where that Hate comes from. But there is a flashback towards the end of the movie where we see the real origin.

Back when Derek’s father was alive, there is a conversation about the new history teacher Derek has and the new literature they have to read for the class. The father makes comments expressing his thoughts on what he perceives to be affirmative action. There is even one moment where he claims to black men on his team became firefighters over two white men who allegedly were more qualified. Whether or not that’s true is up for debate. But the point here that other critics have pointed out is that the movie is showing how Hate is taught to the next generation. A cycle of violence based on misunderstanding on only focusing on the pain being inflicted. But I want to point out that this is only part of the cycle that I think is overlooked.

Derek Vinyard had the seed of Hate in him before his father’s death. Following that tragedy, he began giving in more to that emotion and repeating arguments and logic that is fed to him by someone else. A seemingly normal guy from a position of power he has over him in order to spread his own personal agenda. Then Derek goes to prison and slowly begins to realize that the logic he has believed in up to this point no longer holds up. He has been abandoned by his leader – someone who claims to understand Derek and the people of his community. But is later confirmed that he doesn’t share their experiences – experiences that many of them have gone through due to his manipulation. Even though Derek finds people he thought believed in the same things he did, he ends up leaving them and sees them as traitors. Only for him to be (literally) f***** over by the people he believed to be on his side.

This is admittedly a slightly long way of getting to my reinterpretation. If you are ever curious about why so many people follow men like David Duke or Donald Trump…well, this movie shows how and why. Everyone has the capacity to hate and act on logic that is contradictory or flawed because sometimes we don’t know the full context or story. But then someone comes along who presents themselves from a position of strength and understanding. They give us easy targets to project our Hate towards and they can get us to support them and help support their own agendas. Which oftentimes includes plans and actions that the followers no nothing about and would probably perceive as going against what was spoken to them in order for those leaders to get our support.

“American History X” is a look at a huge part of real American history that people choose to ignore. When people were arguing over the topic of Critical Race Theory, they used arguments such as they don’t want children to know this subject matter. Or even argue that there isn’t anymore Racism because the country voted for Barack Obama twice as President. The same country that then voted for a man who ran on messages and promises that completely go against many of the ideas and beliefs Barack Obama was fighting for. All the while not acknowledging the finer details that poke holes in their arguments and not realizing that they aren’t looking at the complete story.

In the end, this isn’t a brand new analysis of the film. But rather one that points out how slightly more current events show how truly relevant it is. A story that shows the journey of how so many people can follow a leader that offers them an outlet for their rage and pain. And how said leader can leverage that into more power and influence that spreads ideas that go against the very same country they claim to be fighting for. This isn’t an easy topic to talk about. And there are no easy ways to start fixing things. But the longer we continue to acknowledge the details many people don’t know about or acknowledge, the longer we keep the cycle going.