Love and Lust in TV Land

(Published Feb. 16, PDI-Super)

By Oliver M. Pulumbarit

Fictional people have been written to reflect some of reality’s more complicated relationships, especially in some of the better-written TV shows. Love, lust and all the things in between can be entertaining and addictive narrative hooks. They can be explored thoroughly, if done just right. These characters pursue what they want, and if some of these examples are any indication, there’s a different thrill in the supposedly illicit. Well, here are some memorable fantasy TV hookups, breakups, complicated relationships and couples, in no particular order:

Veronica Mars’ first season boyfriend trouble was easy to follow, as she’s torn between rich kid jerkoid Logan Echolls and rich kid weirdo Duncan Kane. She also has a chaste relationship with the hot new Italian cop, but it was one of the show’s best moments when she unexpectedly locked lips with Logan, someone who’s almost her exact opposite. Hawt.

Titus Pullo, Rome’s rogue centurion, loved the slave girl Eirene from the get-go. He treated her with uncommon respect. Sadly, he went berserk after discovering that her heart belonged to a fellow slave. It was rewarding, however, that Eirene and Pullo found that rare connection eventually, before the amoral warrior-woman Gaia entered the picture.

The Jenny-Tim-Marina triangle of The L Word was developed well, however predictably. When lesbian restaurateur Marina met the similarly well-read Jenny, they hit it off fast. They soon repeatedly fool around behind the back of the latter’s boyfriend, Tim. But, wait, Jenny still fancies guys! Yep. Bisexual.

In Queer As Folk, among the most intriguing storylines was the breakup of the longtime lez couple Melanie and Lindsay, caused by the blonde’s unexpected attraction to an artist. A guy! This was foreshadowed over a span of episodes, but the eventual tryst was still surprising.

Also in QAF, college boy Justin abandoned his bedhopping soulmate Brian Kinney for a sweet and gifted violinist. The inevitable discovery by Brian and his succeeding devious machinations to mess up the new lovers were excellently executed.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer has always had affecting romance arcs and moments, but the Buffy-Riley-Angel confrontation back in the fourth season was among the best. It was priceless when the Slayer’s vampire ex Angel and current soldier beau Riley first met face-to- face under less than pleasant circumstances. Ah, that Buffy and her alpha male admirers. Angel mocking Riley in front of Buffy: “You sleep with this guy?!” Zing.

Super-double agents Julian Sark and Lauren Reed from the series Alias were formidable as separate threats, but together, they made life hell for her husband Vaughn and his ex-girlfriend Sydney Bristow. The villain team-up was just wickedly cool.

The implied occasional pairing of Captain Jack Harkness and Ianto Jones in Torchwood was a stunning revelation. Everyone knows that Jack’s into guys, but Ianto? After his whining and mourning in the episode where his girlfriend-turned-killer cyborg nearly snuffed the Torchwood agents, who’d have thought?

24’s Jack Bauer and Nina Myers, ex-lovers and eventual arch-enemies, gave the show an interesting dynamic during the early seasons. It was especially mind-blowing when their enmity escalated.

Everyone saw it coming. Heroes’ Claire Bennet, cheerleader with regenerative powers (and daddy issues), just had to fall for West, the classmate with potentially freaky secrets. But the young super-lovebirds’ relationship felt natural, and one that you just had to root for. Too bad the other love angles in the second season felt too contrived.

Frost Perched Onna Town

With young thang Gerald at the Lovapalooza event. Interviewed him and some celebs.

Thanks to my bro, who lent the camera. Was able to take a few pictures before the battery died. To view the other photos, just visit the Multiply site.

It was damn cold there at the NBC Tent. You can practically feel your testicles freezing. Well, it was the "Lovapalooza Frost Fest," after all. Fun Tuesday night, I was able to drink four vodka cruisers while working. Lotsa hot people in that cold place. Thanks to my beerchugger pal Markywanna for sending me, by the way.

Birds, Balls, Bush

Spent late Wednesday afternoon birdwatching at Southwoods’ golf course-bird sanctuary in Cavite. We were accompanied by knowledgeable avian experts, who happily talked about certain species inhabiting the area. I enjoyed some whispered double entendre-ish jokes--about birds in bushes, breeding grounds, stray balls and swallows--by friends and occasional co-workers Lester “Soundfactory” H. and Mark “Markywanna” P. They were pretty hilarious, if you’re into that guttery kinda thing.

Attending that event was fun; I rode a golf cart, met new people, admired some rocking violinists, loved the food, and had a glass of red wine. And not necessarily in that order. Well, there was work too. After the fun trek across the sprawling, refreshing golf course, we had to go to another part of the site to attend a phase launch. I was noticeably giddy at the van, and jokingly told Mark (my bartending friend), “Do we have to? I don’t wanna!”

We had to interview the property developer head, and attend the tree-planting ceremony (above, thanks for the pics, Lester). For the latter part, we just had to plunk those baby trees into pre-dug holes, so it was done with pretty quickly.

Shaira Luna’s a charming, intelligent girl, as expected. She told us that people mention that old TV commercial she did for that kids’ health drink everyday. She’s a photographer-writer now, and she covered the event for another broadsheet. She thought that I was a quiet guy, because she spotted me covering that Taichi event at UP last year, looking serious the whole time. Well, to her surprise (and possibly, dismay, heh) last Wednesday, I proved that I’m far from quiet and serious. That’s because of the company, mostly.

Mark was a quick learner; he took to driving our golf cart in no time at all. He’s still a funny guy, the workaholic insomaniac. It’s great that he’s handing me stuff to do. I’m glad to help out, and glad that he trusts me enough to do the assignments. I kinda owe this fella for another thing too; he was my bartender-babysitter last week. He looked after me when I zonked out after ten beers. Anyway, I think we’re comfortable with mocking each other now. But I like his big ideas. He’s just that kind of person. And it’s always nice to hear him speak lovingly of his son, Noah.

Lester, meanwhile, is very knowledgeable when it comes to music. He’s making me a mix CD, a compilation of songs drawn from, well, other mix CDs and some of my old albums. It’s so strange and cool to discover months back that we went to the same university and graduated at the same time. He was in the old yearbook all along! We were just in different colleges. We eventually became Pulp and MTV Ink contributors (he did CD reviews; I did my initial Lexy run and a few music and comics reviews). That was about six years ago. I only met him last June, after he messaged me that he’s “a fan” of “my fab series.” I blush.

Had a blast, guys! And yeah, love the free binoculars! Wow, it works.

Cookie Tosser (Or, ‘Me, Mozzie, and Mmm, Beer’)

Crazy and fun Mozzie EP relaunch/pajama party last Friday evening. For me, it kinda got a little too crazy. Where to begin? The day started pretty tensely; I had to wake up earlier than usual to phone-interview someone for a publicity article. That person had to back out at the last minute, but was replaced soon enough by another interviewee. So I did that; it was quite easy to write, actually. An old friend from high school suddenly called up, while I was in the middle of doing it. He and I met up nearby later and chatted about some goings-on in our lives. Had to rush after an hour because traffic was getting heavy by 4.

After an hour or so, I’m in Makati. Got a check, finally. Waited for Marge and Mark to finish, and hung out at their office for a while. Got to talk a bit with their co-workers Zane (sweet, smart Zane!) and Char (this girl knows good movies!). Marge, ever the darling, also said hello and sat down with me a bit. Lotsa intelligent people at that place; they looked quite busy (digression: oh, I met up with Lester the day before; he used to work there as well). I dunno, I felt kinda tense again by that time, and a little hungry. I just sat by the waiting lounge and later, the smoking area balcony, when no one was there. The view was nice and the air was cooler. By the time Mark and Marge finished, it was past 8.

Fun moment en route to Katipunan: Joni Mitchell’s “River” played, and all three of us just sang along, each of us stopping every few lines to praise it or mention anecdotes about the song and the singer. For whatever reasons, some of the loudest parts we sang were the lines: “I’m gonna make a lot of money and I’m gonna quit this crazy scene!” and “I made my baby cry.” Brilliant, brilliant song, that.

Got to the place some time past 9 and we soon got pizza, sisig and beer (yay, free food and beer!). Kaze performed a rousing set, which included an awesome celtic-rock rendition of Heart’s “Alone” and ohmigod, a cool and edgy cover of the Spice Girls’ “Two Become One!” They were followed by a good ska band whose name I can’t remember right now. Sweet! By that time everyone was dancing, and/or jumping, including me. Another band, Top Junk (I think), followed. Damn, it was a great night for good music and musicians. Had about maybe six beers, at this point. Rollie, star photog and nice fella, took a candid pic of me. I think I was sitting down and feeling my body reacting to the booze.

Finally, Mozzie. Woohoo! Cool to finally sing along--well, actually, in my case, I was yelling along--now that I know the words. They actually made New Kids On The Block’s “Step By Step” cool! That was an unexpected cover. Wish “So Bad” got played though. But it was still typically fun (I want the full-length album now, Mozzie!). By my ninth beer, their set was over. And I was slumped face down, on the table. I was clutching the pajama shirt (is that what it’s called?) that Pam generously handed earlier. Felt Mark tug it away from me about three times, and he whispered that I should shake off the dizziness, pronto.

Dunno how long I was that way. In my head, I was ordering my body to handle it, to control the alcohol, but all I could feel was an urge to just surrender. I eventually stood up, walked rather zigzaggingly to the rest room, and just tossed my cookies. So icky and unsexy. I’d rather not go into detail. Good old Mark was alternately teasing me and helping me out. “Amateur,” he said (among other things), while handing me two glasses of cold water. I washed my face and hair, for all the good that did.

I apologized to Pam and Mark minutes later because I felt like I failed, somehow. But they were nice and cool about it. Mark loaned me cab money; I actually had more than enough to take a taxi home. But I took it anyway, because I was too out of it to refuse. Will give that back soonest, dude.

Very few hours of sleep, a near-empty stomach, and beer, I discovered, added to a recipe for disaster. As soon as I got home, I bathed, and just crashed on my bed. Three hours later I woke up with one freaking headache. Two hours after that, I barfed again. I was able to catch some z’s, and felt sober enough to leave for the other office, to pick up something for an assignment.

So that was that. I had fun. This overgrown kid-at-heart did learn something from it. And to John and Dicky, no, I’m not troubled or anything, thanks for the concern. I just had to unwind, and that did calm my nerves. I just overdid it, I suppose. Worry not, boys.

Whew. Whatta night. Thanks a bunch for the awesome party, Mozzie and friends!

That Great Look In Your Eyes

I really like this song by The Silencers. I’ve liked it since 1991, about three months before new wave station BMFM aired its last song. I remember preparing to leave for school one day, but I stopped and sat down to listen to it when it started playing. The janglepop-y guitar parts felt hypnotic and soothing, and the opening lines called to me.

A friend was able to find me a clear copy and he included that in a mix CD, many years later. It’s always been a song whose meaning I feel every time I hear it, aptly evolving to fit the people I fancy. In other words, this is one of the songs that actually grew with me. And I still listen to it.

Back when I first started blogging three years ago, I posted the lyrics and highlighted certain words in color, like so.

I WANT YOU
The Silencers
(J.O`Neill)

Well I want to paint your picture
With that great look in your eyes
And I want to write a song so gentle
It could make you cry

I want the world and all its charms
And nothing else will do
And hey I want you

Well I want a roaring city
And I want a healing sun
And I want a magic wilderness where
We could be anyone

I want the world and all its charms
And nothing else will do
And hey
I want you
I want you

Well I want to be your soldier
And I want to be your friend
And I want to be your dancing fool
And dance you till the end

I want the world and all its charms
And nothing else will do
And hey
I want you

Comfy

This appeared as part of Pam’s “Comfort Zone” spread in PDI-Super last Saturday. I was among 31 people whose pics were used. The photos had to answer the question, “What is comfort for you?”

“I like reading comics while eating yummy but unhealthy food, or guzzling cold beer with my back to the shower.” –Oliver M. Pulumbarit, word pimp, art merc, freelance lover

Heh. I had a bunch of answers in mind, but those were among the mentionable, printable ones. I did the beer thing a total of twice, during my alcoholidaze. Sorry for the mental image. My mom mentioned seeing this picture and I just nervously smiled. The pic was shrunk to about a fifth of the original size, like some of the others in the spread. Had to buy extra copies later (well, I don’t have my pic on the paper everyday), and interestingly, not every copy is as clear as the first one I got. One version didn’t have the colors properly aligned so it had me looking all smudgy and cartoony, heehee. The others were good copies, though.

Thanks to the Super peeps for including this pic, and to Benedicky for taking it

Finite Sadness

The first time I remember feeling really sad was when I was 12.

I think, at that point, I felt that way because the only friend I had suddenly left for another school. I liked that classmate; he was someone who’d read my old comic books, and sometimes, he’d even act out the characters’ voices. We’d draw heroes and monsters too, and I noticed that he really tried hard to make his own figures on paper, even when they looked kinda funky. He was left-handed, which looked to my 12-year-old eyes like he was straining himself too hard. I didn’t consider other classmates as close, and when he vanished, I missed him for a while. I forgot about him eventually, a few months later.

That was the catalyst, I think, that made me really aware of my emotions. I felt so alone at times during that period, that I’d just feign sickness and stay home. School was deathly boring, too, and I didn’t have any friends among my classmates. As a boy and as a teen, I didn’t open up to my parents because I felt like I was gonna burden them with how I felt. I didn’t want that, also because they were preoccupied with my younger siblings. So there I was, setting the good example, always the good brother, always a kid that people thought highly of. I’d lose myself in my drawings, in the comic books and toys I owned, in the songs that felt so welcoming. But I always felt alone.

Of course, I’ve gained some true friendships along the way, through the years. Religion became useful to me, too, but I didn’t realize then that it was just a crutch. Whenever I felt sad because of one thing or another, I didn’t know how to express it, and this feeling often mutated into anger. I didn’t blame my family for anything. I just felt inadequate or unwanted sometimes, which is pretty normal, I suppose. I was able to suppress a lot of things, though, because I thought that other people probably have worse things to worry about. Still, I knew that my emotions and dissatisfaction were valid.

Maybe I talk about this now because a friend told me about that 12-year-old kid in the US who hanged herself. She felt terribly insecure and was picked on. It’s truly tragic. Growing up, I never felt liked. I never felt like I was part of something important. I wanted to belong and feel some sense of accomplishment. I abhorred the cool, confident kids. Well, I actually secretly liked some of them too. But I also thought that deep down, most of them were stupid.

Did I feel like ending it all when things got bad, back then? Sometimes, yes. I’ll admit that much. But I always found a silver lining, and reasons to go on.

I lightened up and changed, eventually. I discarded religion eventually, too. That sounds easy but it wasn’t. It was really tough, sometimes, but I didn’t feel happy with it. The unspoken pressure to be the ideal brother was gone, too, so I didn’t feel like I was setting a bad example. Besides, I assume my siblings know why I’m this way--restless and headstrong--and they respect my space.

During some of my “dark 20s” days, I’d just feel like I was going through all sorts of crap, and it was my friends who’d remind me to be strong. My mom was there to talk to as well, the few times when I felt I couldn’t hold it in any longer. And for that, I’m really grateful to them. I’m doing my damnedest not to tear up right now.

As a grownup, I try to be more sensitive to others’ needs. I still feel bad, occasionally, because I’m far from perfect. It’s not often, but when I feel that way these days, or when I feel like I failed some people, my chest hurts. It’s brief, but it does. I don’t really whine about it. I just shut up, and try to clear my head. And exhale.

Anyway, the sadness disappears, too. I’ve felt and known true happiness. I still do. I’ve earned some rewards, and share what I can. I don’t try to justify my failures, at least most of the time. I don’t believe in the zodiac, but it’s funny that I’m a Scorpio through and through. Well, I’m just what I am. So few people get that, but I’m glad that I don’t have to conform to anyone’s imagined template of me.

Yeah, blogging as therapy. An actual shrink might want me to figure it all out by myself, anyway. Abandonment issues, feelings of insecurity, my goddamn drama… they all started when I was 12.

Gay Dads, Back Issues

I just read about the struggles of some twentysomething gay dads in an old issue of The Advocate that I bought at Book Sale a few days ago. It’s been a while since I read an issue, and I’m glad to have discovered it, along with four informative TV Guide back issues that sold for P5 each. The P10 Advocate mag, dated May 8, 2007, was still in near-perfect condition, and features Rebecca Romijn, who plays Ugly Betty’s transsexual character, on the cover.

One article details the stories of the aforementioned homosexual couples raising kids. I felt quite sad at the part where one young father, John Lawrimore, talked about a custody battle that turned nasty.

“The lowest point was when the lawyer used unfounded statistics about gay men sexually abusing children. It’s the worst level of hatred I’ve ever encountered.”

After solid testimonials from teachers and child care providers, the judge ruled in his favor and allowed his two young sons to stay with him. He and his partner are now raising them.

“I’d been forcing myself to be something I wasn’t,” Lawrimore said of his time with his ex-wife, the boys’ mother. “I was deathly afraid of being gay and how it would affect my sons.”

In another moving article, the cover story with Romijn, the gay-friendly actress talked about being pro-same-sex marriage (among other things):

“What’s the problem? That’s my big question. Unless people are being forced to marry, why should anybody have a problem? If two people love each other, they should have absolutely the same rights as anyone else who loves each other.”

I’m still reading the magazine. Filmmaker Q. Allan Brocka had a fun, revealing column about an African adventure, too.

The Advocate is great. I know they have a website, which I rarely visit these days, but I’d also like to own and reread copies whenever I feel like it. Must go to a nearby Book Sale soon and look for more back issues.

Magic Reset Button

I’ve seen much reality-altering lately, from the derided sudden dissolution of Peter and Mary Jane Parker’s marriage to the enjoyable time-jumping missions of Dan Vasser in Journeyman. Also, a book Dicky lent me recently, Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, had a character that was able to change reality instantly.

But back to Spidey and Mary Jane.

Much has been said about the controversial “One More Day” arc in the Spider-Man titles, where the hero makes a deal with Mephisto to save the life of his Aunt May. Admittedly, reading readers’ reactions and the involved creators’ explanations has been quite amusing. I don’t doubt that the whole situation’ll be retconned someday a la the “Clone Saga,” but for now, Pete’s single again, broke, and has kept his costumed identity a secret. Mephisto, instead of taking his soul, took his marriage to MJ (and the memory of it), instead. Wow.

I really dislike that everything was magicked away just like that. It was yet another example of fixing something that’s not broken, of returning to a status quo that had run its course back in the ‘80s. I liked that Peter and MJ belonged with each other, and that his superheroic life was something that she accepted, something that she and May eventually became proud of. The rush to undo and erase that relationship, along with other significant changes like the Civil War unmasking, was just laughable.

The characters should’ve just divorced. At least they’d have moved on to new chapters of their lives naturally. Sure, there’s baggage, but dealing with and surviving it has always been what Peter Parker’s about. It would’ve been an eye-opening acknowledgement of failure, a mature step that would allow them to develop separately. The magic quick fix just came out of left field, and is just insulting to those who followed the character’s mythology grow and evolve gradually all these years. How this affects Peter’s relationship with his trusted Avengers teammates is also unclear, because it’s doubtful that it’ll be addressed soon.

But again, I’m confident that some future creative team will restore what was voided out of existence. Maybe Mary Jane will be back for good one day, along with their long-lost baby, rescued from the clutches of Norman Osborn. Maybe the characters will realize how selfish and idiotic that drastic reality change was. Maybe Peter Parker will finally get to the next phase of his everyguy life, and accept the burdens that come with it.

I’m not holding my breath. But it’s just a matter of time. Things’ll be back to normal, however that word’s defined in Spidey’s world.

Someday.

TV Therapy

I‘ve come to the realization that almost every TV show that I really liked had at least one character that I could really relate to. These days, I can say with certainty that I can identify with Party of Five’s Bailey Salinger. In Queer As Folk, I think I relate most with Hal Sparks’ comics-loving character Michael Novotny, who’s always been drawn to the smart, free-spirited and (supposedly) unattainable ones. In Buffy, the closest characters with kindred personalities would be geeks Willow and Xander. I couldn’t identify with bad boy Spike at all, except when he was tamed in the final season, and specifically in the scene in “Touched” where he’s declaring his feelings for Buffy with complete clarity:

“I've been alive a bit longer than you, and dead a lot longer than that. I've seen things you couldn't imagine, and done things I prefer you didn't. I don't exactly have a reputation for being a thinker. I follow my blood, which doesn't exactly rush in the direction of my brain. So I make a lot of mistakes, a lot of wrong bloody calls. A hundred-plus years, and there's only one thing I've ever been sure of. You.”

Love that speech. But wait, there’s more:

”I'm not asking you for anything. When I say, 'I love you,’ it's not because I want you, or because I can't have you. It has nothing to do with me. I love what you are, what you do, how you try. I've seen your kindness and your strength. I've seen the best and the worst of you. And I understand with perfect clarity exactly what you are.”

Awww. That was so sweet. Strangely, I can also relate to some of the more amoral characters like Amanda Woodward, Titus Pullo and Brian Kinney, in their respective shows. I love hating them, but there are those rare occasions when they say things, do deeds or react to situations in familiar ways. It’s a little scary, but also enlightening when those connections happen.

Ah, television. It’s one of my valued shrinks, too.

Life As Ya Know It

“Sometimes I feel like I know too much and sometimes I feel like I don’t know nothing at all.”

Always loved that line from Patti Scialfa’s “Rumble Doll.” As a blogger for three years now, I’ve treaded that line that many fellow cyberspace venters do. I talk about those things that are closest to me, the things that I can freely and easily discuss. But I’m also still learning minute mechanics about a lot of things along the way, even on a subconscious level. Mostly, it just feels good to just say what I want, even when nobody’s really paying attention.

It’s not that I’m trying to satisfy the desires of my inner, closeted attention whore--oh yeah, we all have that--it’s just liberating to discuss the merits and/or suckiness of daily life and the pop culture items du jour. And I’m nothing if not opinionated.

I’m pleased by the fact that we can speak freely in our own soapboxes or editorials. I’m also still amused and impressed by people who can really open up and talk about the nooks and crannies of their lives.* I can only share so much, as I don’t feel comfortable opening up totally in such an open venue, nor can I fully disclose details about certain experiences, which are often shared with people who value their privacy.

That doesn’t mean I don’t allude to those experiences or feelings, so I just find ways to work them into the posts. And blogging has helped me identify and put into words things and behavior (mine and others’) that I don’t understand. It’s been therapeutic, and has made me answer some of my own questions. Well, I’ll keep writing and reading, and valuing the words and thoughts of those that, in my humble opinion, inspire me to keep sharing my own in my floating spaces.

- - - - - -

* through topics including, but not limited to, awesome one-night stand hookups, the unsightly “cobwebs” up someone’s nose, the desire to inflict pain on some deserving bastard’s face, the desire to get your perineum chewed on soon, your fixation with boobs, things you want to do to that hot priest, the details of unusual bowel movement, and so on.

The Future is Wow

Panel Panache

Still sort of a yearender post, but it works pretty well as a new year entry too. Some of these comics weren’t necessarily released during that span, but I read them within the year, anyway:

I loved Avengers Initiative, Walking Dead, She-Hulk (Dan Slott’s run), New Warriors (whoa, depowered X-Men!), 52, Birds of Prey (Simone and Bedard’s issues), JSA, New X-Men (finally!), All-Star Superman, Annihilation: Starlord, Modok’s 11, Dr. Strange: The Oath, Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight, Nightwing Annual # 2 (the Dick and Babs ish), Deadpool-GLI, X-Men (Carey’s good), Astonishing X-Men (Yay, Cyke and Emma!), Ares, World War Hulk, Pride of Baghdad, X-Factor, JLA (McDuffie’s issues), Exiles (Bedard), Cable-Deadpool, Irredeemable Antman, and all the Marvel Handbooks.

The okay ones: New Avengers, Thunderbolts (but I still don’t like Penance), Justice (er, nice art!), World War Hulk: Frontline, Astounding Wolfman, Illuminati (except # 3), Angel: After the Fall (except for the art), Runaways, Mighty Avengers, Avengers Classics, Astro City- The Dark Age (Book Two), Thor, Black Adam, JLA (Meltzer’s run), The Immortal Iron Fist, Nova and Civil War Frontline.

Things I really disliked: The rushed and silly Civil War ending, the Beyonder retcon in Illuminati (he’s a what, now ?!), Amazons Attack, World War III, the pointless Countdown tie-ins, the impending massive retcon via the Skrull invasion, the delayed ending of Wonder Woman’s first arc, still no monthly Young Avengers, the ending of Loners, the current Legion version, and the long wait between Astonishing X-Men issues.

Hope there’ll be more great comic books and less tedious ones this year. Hmm. I’ve been reading about protests over Spider-Man’s One More Day arc. Must read that soon!

Dried Pretty

Literate and infectious, Mozzie’s music is that rare marriage of reflective content and technical soundness, so yeah, the group sounds great while sending different messages and telling stories.

The indie band’s debut recording, the “Dried to Pseudo-Perfection” EP, audibly shows focus and cohesion, reflecting Mozzie’s solidly executed songs during live performances. Skillful instrumentation and introspective lyrics characterize all seven originals, most of which sound like a frictionless locking of angry ‘90s rocker chick sensibilities with contemporary alt-pop bounce.

There’s self-awareness in the tempo-shifting “Reckless,” a ditty that speaks of growing up and losing some direction along the way (“Ten years ago I seemed so promising/ ten years ago I was so innocent/ Now I’m just tired/ so tired”). Another track, “Shut It,” whose upbeat pacing and structure sounds inspired by early No Doubt, tackles hurtful and hard-to-ignore brickbats. The similarly catchy (and definitely self-aware) “Bolgia Six,” meanwhile, asks, “Aren’t we all just hypocrites/ for never admitting to be one?” It recognizes the failure of the judgmental to look at their own lamentable mistakes.

Relevance hasn’t been a problem, thanks to the songwriting. “Ugliest” and “Face for Sale” apparently share lines and thoughts about cosmetic beauty, but are two distinct pieces. The former self-deprecatingly muses about unconditional love (“You loved me at my ugliest!”), while the latter discusses vanity and one’s seemingly perpetual desire to be “perfect.”

The various subjects shape different moods each time. “Starfucker” indignantly exposes a has-been child star’s present-day misadventures, stanzas periodically and eerily building up to an aptly loud catharsis. And speaking of grownup issues, the simpler lyriced “So Bad” may not possess the clever wordplay worked into the other songs, but its starkness effectively and entrancingly conveys longing. It also prominently features the vocalist’s range and emotional verve, further lending the words sincerity and substance.

It may not be suitable for really young listeners, for obvious reasons, but the 20- and 30-somethings have a lot to relate to in “Dried to Pseudo-Perfection.” Some of the songs celebrate femininity, while others are universally relatable confessions. Collectively wise and honest, the material in the EP heralds good things to come. It would be interesting to hear one or two original Tagalog songs in the upcoming album, as well.

Make it happen, Mozzie.

Fantasy Heroism, 2007

Happy New Year!

Here’s a rundown of some of 2007’s different faces of heroism, from comic books, TV shows and movies. Well, they’re actually a few of my favorites, and this year, I had a bunch. The fantasy hero has had many incarnations in recent years, and it’s interesting to discover different deviations, or altogether new versions that don’t follow the Spider-Man, Buffy, Frodo and Luke Skywalker templates. Here’s heroism in some of the year’s prominent mythologies:

Renee Montoya- Her journey was fraught with all sorts of peril, but her gradual transformation--from depressed alcoholic to focused crimefighter in 52--was compelling. She’s a welcome addition to Gotham City’s protectors.

Beowulf- Half the time, he’s a teller of tall tales. But Beowulf the philandering warrior-king nevertheless saved lives and got rid of some destructive terrors.

Captain America- In the unevenly executed Civil War series, he surrendered and was subsequently assassinated. But before all that, he fought valiantly for superhumans’ civil liberties.

Hiro Nakamura- His heroic evolution was quick; he soon became an Obi-Wan-esque mentor to a future mythic warrior. But Hiro is still learning and makes a few mistakes that inevitably turn his student against him.

Lyra- Keeper of the last Golden Compass and destined for greater things, the plucky girl rebel helps trigger a war between the free thinkers and the controlling authority.

Harry Potter- Hogwarts’ most controversial pupil has evolved to take on a more active combatant role, and leads a secret faction of student mystics against corrupt practitioners.

Remy- Culinary artist and independent rodent Remy proved that dreams can come true in Ratatouille. He guides a bumbling human to achieve them, and inspires others to strive for something better.

Faith- The prodigal Slayer, a reformed villainess, is still unique among hundreds of activated Vampire Slayers. In Buffy Season 8, she’s given a special mission, one that requires getting her hands dirty.

Leonidas- The Spartan king and his defiant horde face insurmountable odds in 300. Their final, legendary battle ultimately inspires the gathering of more defenders of freedom.

Veronica Mars- The former victim-turned-girl detective has solved dozens of cases, and she’d no doubt provide answers to more baffling crime puzzles had her series continued.

Kyle Trager- The adoptive son of the loving Tragers has solved many major family quandaries, and has displayed various mental abilities that he selflessly uses for their--and his friends’--benefit.

Cloud 9- She only wanted to fly, but because of the Superhuman Registration Act, she had no choice but to train as a super-soldier. The reluctant hero has yet to be comfortable with her new path, but she’s one of the Initiative’s most promising recruits.

Bumblebee- The live-action version got corny with the “temporarily mute so he speaks in songs” thing, but he’s still one dedicated Autobot soldier. He’s loyal and friendly to the humans he’s assigned to defend, unlike that other mean-sounding Autobot with a serious personality glitch.

Cyclops- He finally embraces his leadership role in Astonishing X-Men, thanks to Emma Frost. He pulls off a very risky plan during the team’s Breakworld mission, and confidently shows everyone who’s boss, at long last.

Nightwatcher- Secretly Raphael of the Ninja Turtles, the hero goes proactive and fights crime as a masked vigilante.

Homer Simpson- The village idiot who causes major problems for its denizens becomes its ultimate savior, in the Simpsons’ first big screen adventure.

Cherry Darling- The girl with the custom-made gun leg’s got dozens of “useless talents,” but she gets to put some of them to good use in the campy, zombie-infested Planet Terror.

Flash- Poor Bart Allen’s stint as the premier super-speedster was cut short. Formerly one of the most fun DC characters, Impulse grew up really quick and is now, sadly, really dead.

Shawn Spencer- He dupes everyone with his fake psychic readings and premonitions, but deep down, the guy who’s actually just really observant wants to help put bad guys in jail.

Black Canary- What a year for Miss Lance: She trained under Lady Shiva’s old teacher, became an adoptive mother and wife, fought alongside the Birds of Prey, and currently leads the new Justice League.

Seasons Change With the Scenery

Some Two Thousand Seven Moments

Hello, yeah, it’s been a while. Week 52’s almost done. I’m taking a little break from work to blog about neat and mundane stuff.

I’m so loving Legion of Superheroes, Psych, Kid Nation, and the insane but addictive Rome (thank you Romie for the original season 2 DVD!). Between writing, drawing, and worrying about deadlines, I’ve been able to relax and watch these shows, finally.

Hope you enjoyed some filling meals during the holiday break. I know I did; I need to lose weight after the Christmas season. In the meantime, I’ll just take a look back, once again, at the year that was.

In 2007, I:

- finally met and befriended people I only previously knew by name

- found out that my aging but trusty phone has sent over 23,400 messages

- got really soaked that one time I decided to leave my umbrella at home

- watched movies with the lustful Popes

- got drunk for the first time

- had a nice, free body massage

- said hello, waved goodbye

- broke a molar when I chewed a piece of ampaw

- won the Marvel Mind Mash trivia contest

- worried about money

- saw three movies at the Imax

- spoke with Timothy Olyphant, Cliff Richard, Sam Rockwell, Roger Avary, Zack Snyder, Ian Tracey, David Fincher, Steve Starkey, Imee Marcos, Paolo Bediones, Neil Gaiman and Ziggy Marley, among others, for the paper

- spoke with Sam Oh, Nancy Castiglione, Tin-Tin Bersola and Eileen Macapagal (formerly of “Joey and Son!”), among others, for the p.r. firms

- worked out a few times at the gym for free

Well, looking at it that way, it wasn’t so bad. Actually, it’s a Pretty Good Year. Uh-huh.

Cannonball Blasts Off

This image is the official photo, and it really doesn’t do the actual figure justice. Cannonball’s costume looks wrinklier with the dramatic lighting in the picture, but the looseness of the suit isn’t as emphasized in the final product. The toy version is fantastic and it’s really good that they went with this design. It’s based on the purple, Liefeld-era uniform of the character. But unlike the comics illustrations, the Sam Guthrie figure is nicely proportioned and aptly dashing.

What’s also different is the integration of rubber parts, specifically the collar and the front and back flaps of the jumpsuit. They could’ve just as easily sculpted those parts in plastic. But oddly, the rubbery texture somewhat enhances its overall tactile quality.

Anyway, this is one solid, sturdy figure, a nice addition to your X-Men set. It’s half of a recently released two-pack (the other fig is Domino), and can be counted among the better Hasbro Marvel Legends figures of 2007. It’d be perfect if it had a smoke-shaped blast-field base accessory. But it’s fine as it is.

(Thanks to John for the figure!)

Thor, Lord of Asgard, Owneth

This has got to be one of the coolest toy iterations of a Marvel character ever. Thor, Lord of Asgard, from the Blob Wave, embodies an era in the thunder god’s life when he wielded the Odin Force, the cosmic and mystical energies inherited from his deceased father. As the new Asgardian god-king, Thor’s strength, speed and resistance to injury were greatly enhanced. He’d have beaten Superman in the JLA-Avengers miniseries had the creators opted to use this version.

The toy is sculpted precisely; it’s just as majestic and imposing as its comic book counterpart. It looks and feels like a 2003 He-Man action figure too, in that the musculature, the clean, vibrant paint job, and the fixed-grip hands combine well to create a battle-ready, kickbutt fantasy warrior.

Thor also has two weapons, Mjolnir and an ax, which would’ve looked better if, like the helmet and those four round armor plates, they’d been given metallic paint. Also, if you’re displaying this figure, you’re gonna have to be a little creative when posing it, because the lack of articulation in the legs tends to make it lose balance and fall down, sometimes. Let’s hope that Hasbro puts in bases with pegs, next time. And there should be a next time; other related characters can be just as massive and playable, like Thunderstrike, Thor in the Simonson-designed battle armor, and Odin. Seriously, they should have a boxed set of those three, plus Thor Girl and maybe Valkyrie. That’d be so relentlessly cool.

(Thanks for the figure, Benedicky!)

The Year in Words

Seven things I discovered in 2007. I learned more things about myself, but seven sounds just about right, for now. No particular order:

I can let my guard down only with a handful of people… and that’s the way I like it.

I totally understand people and their quirks… when we’re not infuriated with each other.

I love the things I’m doing… but I need a change of pace and environment.

Different versions of Hallelujah (by Buckley, Lang and Wainwright) all sound great… especially when you’re getting intimate.

I can be heroically selfless… and justifiably selfish.

It’s hard to let go of anger sometimes… but I’m getting there.

I had crazy fun when I was drunk… but the wildest moments didn’t require me to be.

Mix and Mingle in the Jinglin' Beat

Swimming Against the Yuletide

(Or, This Agnostic’s Christmas Gallery. Twelve all-new drawings. This got published yesterday in PDI-Super, yay. My dad just asked for the original of “Drinking At Work.” To view all 12 drawings, visit my Multiply site. Will post them at the art blog too.)

Text and illustrations by Oliver M. Pulumbarit

I’m a non-believer, yeah, and I’ve blogged about it in detail a few times. But I can still appreciate the Christmas season for its emphasis on goodwill and togetherness. As an ex-Catholic, I still have vivid memories of Christmases past. Admittedly, I still find the imagery and revelries related to the holidays appealing, even when I don’t believe in a messiah figure anymore. That’s just how things are for me.

But you really can’t escape the festivities, so while I’m not into “the reason for the season,” I’m still appreciating the artistry and celebrations that come with December. I’m also a ninong, so I’m still part of the whole gift-giving scenario.

Just some months back, I planned to draw and post new Halloween drawings to prettify my site. But because of time constraints, I opted to draw a Christmas-themed set instead. I cut up bond-sized vellum paper in half, pulled out gel pens and markers and ended up with the following. Here’s my take and thoughts on some holiday concepts.

“I Saw Daddy Kissing Santa Claus” (above)- Remember the old song about a son witnessing his mother getting cozy with Santa? It’s likely that he just witnessed his parents roleplaying. Here, it’s the boy’s dad. It still works if titled differently.

“Sweet Tooth Surrender” (above)- Sugar high! Ditch the diet and devour those delightful desserts. By the way, fruitcakes are yummy. I know it’s not just me.

“Yuletide Gay”- Inspired by a phrase in “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” the drawing shows a modern-day tableau of a non-traditional but equally valid family--a lesbian couple and their child--celebrating the holidays quietly.

“Alien Starlight”- Christmas lanterns with colorful, blinking lights are especially diverting, but the simpler ones still look good. The design possibilities are nigh-endless, as the parol can come in almost any shape, size and material.

“Jack Frost Nipping”- The mythical Jack Frost is commonly known as a snow-bringer. Like snowmen, he doesn’t need a scarf, yes, but it works aesthetically on him, too.

“Elfchild Laborer”- Hmm, it’s odd that some of the North Pole workers are sometimes depicted as kids. But since they’re mostly elves, they must age differently. Maybe.

“Drinking At Work” (above)- Saint Nick probably has an extra-tough tummy to eat and drink everything that people prepare for him. Drinking and flying? Never been a problem.

“Festive Forest”- Fake, plastic trees are fun to assemble and decorate. Disassembling, removing ornaments and cleaning up usually take forever, though.

“Santa’s Twin Wonders”- Interestingly, the Santa myth mutated to include other previously unrelated beings such as elves. Mrs. Claus can be part-elf. The kids, I call ‘em Kriss and Nicola, might look this way. They’re both naughty and nice, so it’s hard to say who’ll take over the family “business” one day.

“He Gives Cool Toys Too”- Why do kids in holiday flicks usually get generic toys on Christmas day? It would be nice to see Santa give other gifts, like monster action figures, for once.

“Single Snowdad”- The title was the last thing that came to me. Initially, it was just a drawing of a traditional snowman. There was space left for a kid and a pet, so they were included. Seeing them together suddenly inspired the title.

“Icons Party Hardy”- Holiday and feast day symbols unwind during their annual Christmas break. Jack O’Lantern, Easter Bunny, Thanksgiving Turkey and Stoopid Cupid pay their pal Santa a visit.

Tension is a Passing Note

I started writing this last Friday afternoon, when I was still feeling beer-buzzed and processing the previous day’s events:

Thursday was a different kind of crazy. Weather’s so damned unfriendly, but it got better as I got to Xaymaca in Timog. I was the first guest to arrive, about 30 + minutes before the Mozzie EP launch party. I knew I was gonna be there a little early, because I had to avoid torturous rush hour traffic along the way. Hailing a cab was hard, but I was able to get one not too far from the MRT’s Kamuning station.

So I got there, changed and washed up, and sat down. I distracted myself by drawing something I started at home the night before. People started arriving in groups. Some sad mini-revolt at the Manila Pen that started hours before, I heard while in the taxi, was crushed by late afternoon. But I heard one of the launch guests talking to someone on her phone about a curfew.

A goddamned freaking curfew! Mark got there and confirmed that it had just been announced; Lester and my sister texted and told me about it at about the same time. People seen outdoors were gonna get arrested by 12 midnight. How fucking stupid and fascist, I thought. People were sorta scrambling to figure out when to leave or where to crash at that point. I had Dicky call John because he was incommunicado for a time. I reached him later too, and we decided that his place is where I’d be spending the night.

I was hungry; I was just subsisting on Boom Boom lollipops that afternoon (there wasn’t time to stop at some food place), so Mark ordered us food (chicken lollipops--sa wakas, ibang lollipop naman!--and a clubhouse sandwich with fries). The place was packed already, and people were still coming in. I’m sharing the table with new acquaintances, while Mark was Tasmanian Devil-ing across the room to greet guests and do whatever it is that he does best. Kindat emoticon here.

People’s plans abruptly changed; the show was shortened to accommodate the guests’ early exit. After Convoy and Happy Happy Joy Joys, Mozzie played a shorter than usual set. Kaze, sadly, was unable to appear, also because of the impending weirdness. By the way, congrats, Mozzie (buy their 7-song CD, visit Pam’s and Mozzie’s Multiply sites to see where they’re available)! I’m glad that they’re able to launch despite the you-know-what. It was still fun. Mark got free beer stubs and gave me a couple. By my fourth beer, I was feeling buzzed and was mindsexing someone across the table. Ah, beer, it doth lower mine inhibitions. Thanks for the stubbies, Beer Guy.

Anyway, the whole thing was done by 11. Virtually everyone was grumbling, but had no choice but to cooperate with the idiotic curfew just to avoid the inconveniences. But the event was fun, time constraints notwithstanding. It took me about 35 minutes to get a cab, but traffic was smooth and I was at John’s about 15 minutes later.

John was cool with having me over, even if he was busy working on some pages. Oh, I just realized, I’ve known him since… half our age now. Working out is doing him good, I noticed. Anyway, he made me crab ‘n’ corn soup, and I spent hours watching Heroes (Noah Bennett owns!) and looking at YouTube (My god, I never thought I’d say this, but Keith Urban and Alicia Keys rock!!! As in, they do a great rock song. At last, someone uploaded their “Gimme Shelter” performance!).

What a night. Those of us forced to stay indoors had to make the most of it, I suppose. Personally, there were parts during the party, and the hours after that, that made me smile. Some pure, honest conversations and moments just made my day.

Must be the beer talking. Burp.

The Whole Shack Shimmies

X-Tales to Astonish

A lot of comic book readers probably know by now that Astonishing X-Men is the X-title that delivers consistent plot twists, drama and memorably good dialogue. Well, it is. Joss Whedon, TV god and comics savior, whips up a simple but absorbing tale replete with ominous prophecies, triumphant resurrections, new and returning big bads, and good old mutant mayhem.

There are two issues to go before Whedon and artist John Cassaday bid the series adieu. The Astonishing X-Men team--Cyclops, Emma Frost, Beast, Wolverine, Kitty Pryde, Colossus and Armor--travel to the Breakworld planet to avert a prophesied disaster in the current “Unstoppable” arc.

In the course of the series, Emma, Kitty, and Cyclops have been developed tremendously, each of them figuring in powerful moments that add to the characters’ already rich histories. And while it’s not as clever or concept-rich as the series it succeeded (Grant Morrison’s New X-Men), Astonishing’s creators approach it with their own indelible style, and are no less effective with their storytelling and ideas.

Each issue of Astonishing is a quick read; the sleekly drawn, uncluttered but still nicely laid out panels project a spacious, cinematic feel. Too bad the artist isn’t a fast one; the gaps between issues have been torture. And those reading the latest installment might have difficulty recalling events from the previous issue. Times have changed, this particular three-year run has yielded only 23 issues to date, but it’s still one of the better Marvel titles out there. It’s very tightly written and told.

Those opting to get the run in trade paperbacks will not be disappointed. Those who have the monthly issues already know how layered and involving the X-Men are again. It really is an astonishing era.

(image above from silverbulletcomics)

Geek Mythology

Friday, I went to the new office of my erstwhile Beer Guy pal Mark, who’s now occasionally my boss, to pick up stuff. We talked briefly about work, and also about Astonishing X-Men. I lent him the first 21 issues of the Whedon-Cassaday run last summer. It was a nice surprise that he got the last two issues himself because he liked it a lot.

Saturday, I just wrote and drew. Finished episodes of Kyle XY, whose lead actor sometimes reminds me of Jason Doplito (it’s like his Caucasian version, I think!). I also played old, long-untouched music CDs.

We went to Fully Booked’s Neil Gaiman event at the Fort last Sunday. And by “we,” I mean that as two people--as in Dicky and me--and not “we” the way Queen Elizabeth I might have used it, which meant that she was actually referring only to herself.

Anyway, Dicky joked as we approached the place, “There’s gonna be a lot of nerds.”

I responded, “We’re nerds!”

“But we’re hot nerds,” he deadpanned. Hee.

Fellow Gaiman fans and geeks of every persuasion and permutation were there. We waited a bit at the shaded lawn-courtyard for Mr. Gaiman’s appearance. New Avengers artist Leinil Yu called me from behind and said hello, which was cool, because it’s been years since we last saw each other and talked. He still recognizes me. I told him I like his new penciling style (a rougher but purer look that, in my opinion, is a distinct evolution). He was starting the “Secret Invasion” pages, so I just had to ask: “So, sino ang Skrulls?” He just smiled and said, “Hindi ko pa alam.” Cool guy, that Nil.

Soon, Ner Pedrina, Azrael Colladilla, and the Arres (Arnold and Cyn) were in the area, as well. Dean Alfar also said hello. Wanted to greet Vinnie Simbulan, but he was busy talking to someone, and soon vanished. My old, dear friend Amy Mosura was there too. It’s been a while since we saw each other, so I was kinda embarrassed that I mistook her for a high school batchmate at first. She lost weight and her new hairstyle looks great.

Neil Gaiman later shared some truly inspiring words, so attending the event was really worth it.

Let’s see… I also ran into Oliver Ortega, and others whose names I can’t remember. And oh, yeah, it’s good to discover that Andrew Fornier, friend of the Brookers, was a finalist in the prose category. Gerald of the Komikeros, I think, won in the comics category. I don’t recognize the other names, but the top prize (2^nd, no 1^st place this year) went to Andrew Drilon. Yup, it’s the guy’s year. Congrats to the winners!

Dicky and I ate and hung out a bit after the announcement of winners. I was tired when I got home, but I still had enough energy to research and finish an article for the paper. I rummaged through a box full of old magazines, but I was able to find those that I needed quickly. You see, back in the ‘90s, I’d buy magazines like Entertainment Weekly, Premiere, Rolling Stone, Empire and lesser-known ones, but only if they were ultra-cheap. I went through a sci-fi mag, got distracted for a bit, pulled out a Roswell poster, and taped it to my door.

Hmm. I’d better get organized; I’ve things lined up for the next few days. But I feel inspired. I keep thinking of all those fans at the Gaiman event, those people touched and moved differently by the author’s various works. It was like a religious meet, attended by the creative, imaginative and escapist. And, quite surprisingly, some of them were hot nerds.

Julian Sark and Veronica Mars Versus Heroes

Well, sort of. For those who haven’t seen episodes of Heroes season two, some major spoilers ahead.

Whoa, now we’re going somewhere. While season one took its time introducing a bajillion new characters, that’s now out of the way, and season two seems to be a time for unhampered progression, at least for most of them. Some minor players have been disposed of, and there were a few that debuted, like Kensei and Elle (David Anders! Kristen Bell!). But we’ve yet to see how importantly they figure into it, really, and how long they’ll be around.

It pains me a little to see Bell--fresh off Veronica Mars--smooching with Milo Ventimiglia and playing a remorseless uberbitch. Noooo! But, she’s a damn good actress, and while electric Elle requires some getting used to, I’m hopeful that she can remarkably take on whatever’s in store for her. Also, I hate to admit it, but she and Ventimiglia have some, ahem, zapping chemistry.

I’m glad that she’s in a high-profile show, though. Same with Anders, he used to be the utterly cool and kickass evil agent in Alias, so it’s good that he landed the part of the fabled English samurai-turned-immortal demigod. It pains me to see him too, sometimes, but for other reasons. That poorly edited swordfight scene was terrible, among other things. Anyway, I hope he kicks ass as Adam (those who liked him in Alias might remember that he had practically the same accent, demeanor and getup), so don’t disappoint us, Tim Kring!

If the characters fought Buffy’s season 6 gang (pictured above), who’d win? Hmm… if the Heroes organized, and honed their skills together, I’d say they’d win easily. But the Slayer’s team is tight and they’ve worked together as a unit for years. Still, it’s going to be a flashy, fun fight: Buffy versus Nikki! And Peter versus Willow (they’re both multipowered powerhouses, so that’d be interesting), Giles versus Noah, Hiro versus Spike (they’re both new at being champions), Dawn versus Claire (teen catfight!), Ando versus Xander (well, Xander will win this quick because he’s got military combat skills), and so on. Just a thought.

While Heroes is derivative and quite predictable, it’s still entertaining. It’s no Buffy, and it’s not meant to be, but it’s the fantasy show of the moment, an attractive otherdimensional world where freaks and misfits also save the day.

Week 45

November’s happening way too fast. Where’d the time go?

John gave me a belated birthday gift, a two-pack Marvel Legends set of X-Men characters Cannonball and Domino. The fast-vanishing action figures were released almost a month ago, also during the Wave 3 toy launch. Ah, so cool and pretty. Speaking of toys, Benedict gave me an advanced birthday gift way back in September, the rare Witchblade figure from the first Legendary Heroes set. It has the Pitt head and upper torso segment of the huge bonus figure. Can’t wait for the rest of the wave to go on sale so I can assemble that. Thanks for the toys, boys.

Let’s see… same old, it was a good week. John and I watched Beowulf in glorious 3D last Tuesday. Oh, and my Beowulf interviews with Neil Gaiman, Roger Avary and Steve Starkey got printed last Wednesday. In the same issue, my article about Lost production designer Zack Grobler came out (thank you Pam and Warner!). Visit my Multiply site to read them. Aside from interviews, I also post music, comic book, movie, TV show and toy reviews over there.

Saturday, Dicky and I went to the third Komikon, which was, as usual, jampacked with different comic book lovers. He was able to get new pig sketches, as expected. It was colder at certain areas, thanks to several “evaporative” aircons placed at some parts of the venue. Said hello to old friends and fellow comics creators. Bought some sale comics (mostly L.E.G.I.O.N. back issues at P10 each!) and ate a late, late lunch later at a Shakey’s.

Pretty normal geek week. Not much to say here, except… I’m hungry. I wanna eat cake. Or a huge pizza. And I wish that I wuz anywhere, with anyone, making out. Just kidding. That line is from Dashboard Confessional’s “Screaming Infidelities.”

Must lie down now and dream of superheroes, ass-tapping, food, money, and Christmas.

November Reign

Pulp Dreaming

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. A few days from now and it’s the middle of the month already, which is kinda weird because I still have some leftover Halloween candy, those coffee-flavored ones that people don’t seem too interested in.

Anyway, I’m just doing the usual. Not noticing time pass by, most of the time. Oh, yeah, early this week, I saw this movie:

In a word: WOW. I’ll be watching it again.

Two days later, I’m on the phone, talking to the master of The Dreaming, Neil Gaiman, and Pulp Fiction co-writer Roger Avary about the movie. Again, WOW. It was brief; the whole thing lasted maybe a little over twelve minutes, but they answered generously. And that was an awesome experience, definitely. I loved Neil’s Books of Magic and Sandman (and the related minis), Roger’s Rules of Attraction, and their writing collaboration on Beowulf. That was one special phoner.

Gush, gush. And, yeah… wow.

Plastic Peeps

I bought Donna Troy, from the Infinite Crisis set, at almost half the regular toy store price. There are two Donnas in that wave; the other’s wearing the classic George Perez-designed Wonder Girl costume from the ‘80s. These are different figures, but it’s noticeable that the body mostly came from the same mold. The heads aren’t the same, obviously, primarily because of the ‘dos. The costume is faithful to the current comic book design; the silver flecks and dots make the star field look consistent with the similarly painted armbands, wristbands, boots and belt.

Donna Troy or Troia is DC Comics’ Jean Grey-esque character, in that she’s a resurrected heroine who’s been imbued with cosmic significance. She’s supposedly the next Harbinger (cool, she has the “floating” sphere accessory), but it seems that it hasn’t really been addressed clearly in the comics, yet. Well, many people are just glad she’s back, after that ridiculous death at the hands of a Superman robot. It’s about time that the she got the toy treatment, too, and both of her sexy, pretty figures are worth getting.

Like with other DC Direct a.f.’s, articulation is quite limited, but the 15 points are enough for Miss Troy. If only it had changeable hands like its fellow IC fig, Wonder Woman. Closed fists would’ve been great. But, it’s still excellently made, and the attention to detail is extraordinary. What a beauty.

Meanwhile… As followers of the comics- and movie-based action figures know, Hasbro is now making the Marvel Legends toys. Among the company’s first figures released last summer, Banshee, is one of three X-Men in the set. This is the Irish mutant hero’s first fully poseable toy incarnation--he has 30 points of articulation--which mostly follows the older Toy Biz templates.

Banshee is in his classic green and yellow Dave Cockrum-era costume, and that’s decently painted, although older collectors may miss the more textured color rendering that made many of the previous ML’s look great. And speaking of colors, one might wish that this figure sported reddish hair (to match the comics version’s), and a darker skin tone (because he looks really pale, almost undead-like). His “wings” are made of cloth, which takes a little getting used to. Plastic ones, a la Falcon’s or Vulture’s would’ve worked just fine, but the black and yellow design actually translates well on fabric.

His angry face and Jim Carrey-esque gaping mouth, however, make him look weird. The character uses his vaunted sonic scream, hence the open mouth, but couldn’t they have done something that looked better while retaining some coolness? The head’s nicely sculpted, but it would’ve been awesome if it could be replaced with a close-mouthed, more heroic-looking one.

X-Men toy collectors will get this regardless, as it’s the first and possibly only figure devoted to one of the less-popular members. But it wouldn’t hurt to wait for it to go on sale, as it’ll be paired, buy one take one, with the better figs of the bunch (Planet Hulk or Hercules!). Banshee’s an okay addition to anyone’s collection; he’ll stick out in the group shots as the angry dude, but otherwise, the figure’s playable and his fierce look fits perfectly in more action-themed scenarios.

Sweet Sugar, A-Pumpin’ In My Veins

Celebratory, Celestiatory

I didn’t do anything differently for my birthday last week. I really haven’t been celebrating it with big parties or anything. But I’m glad that I got yummy cake, among other tasty food, when I got home. Watched the 30 Days of Night preview at Gateway with John before that, while enduring a headache brought about by, I assume, lack of sleep. The artist of the source comics, Ben Templesmith, was there; he seemed like a shy guy, judging by his posture prior to introducing the film.

Halloween, Benedict and I met up, went to Fort, and shared candy. Sucked on some lollipops (semi-chewy Boom Boom and generic Halloween ones), ate tiny orange jelly slices, and other candies. It still felt like my birthday, as people were still greeting me that day, which is so cool, by the way. I got a whopping three dozen plus greets from friends, relatives and acquaintances, so thanks again for that, you lovely people.

So, another year. And what a year it’s been, so far. Six months ago, I was drinking beer in the shower and having one of the most memorable summers of my life, after a period of monotony and routine. More recent months are about emotional phases bleeding into each other. I have assessed and re-examined my relationships and my jobs; it’s been a roller coaster ride. Thoughts and feelings I’d forgotten resurface, and I’m encountering new ones too. They’re not all pleasant, but I’m acknowledging and confronting ‘em head on.

I’m older. And maybe, just a little bit wiser. One of these days, though, I’m just gonna party like mad.

Marvel Girl Marvels

I got this as a prize some weeks back (see the Mash Master blog entry). The Marvel Girl figure in the third Hasbro wave is a good-looking, differently articulated female figure. It’s actually one of the prettier ones, and there have been quite a few from the Toy Biz lines.

The time-traveling telepath-telekinetic Marvel Girl, a.k.a. Rachel Summers (or Grey, as she’s honoring her currently deceased mother Jean) is one of the X-characters that started out great, but eventually similar characters from alternate future timelines followed suit, making the X-titles’ storylines hopelessly convoluted. Still, Rachel’s had many personas in the last two decades, and her current one’s immortalized for the first time in plastic.

Rachel has fewer points of articulation (21) than the usual Marvel Legend, but less is more in this case. No unsightly leg and knee joints here. It’s surprising that each knee can bend, and still turn whichever way via some hidden joint articulation. Also, her feet can be positioned through subtle ankle points.

While it’s not the best-looking girl on the block, it can be ranked up there with attractive figures like Kitty Pryde, Black Widow, Psylocke and even the Marvel Select ones, face- and paint-wise. There’s even a repaint of Marvel Girl in the new Hasbro two-pack of Cable (Ray’s brother Nathan) and, well, the original Marvel Girl (Jean in her early days). The body and costume have been repainted, yes, but the head’s a totally different sculpt, as that one’s wearing a mask and has longer hair. Completists, or those keen on forming a Summers-Grey clan might want to get that too.

Accessories: the translucent fiery fist attachables are similar to Iron Fist’s. More interesting is the teeny-weeny, separately crafted X-amulet. It would’ve been great if she had a translucent yellow visor too, but that would’ve covered up the fine paint work on her eyes.

Maybe in the future, there’ll be another Rachel Summers toy (her Hound/Phoenix costume, preferably), but for now, this version stands out from Hasbro’s ML sets. Let’s hope that the upcoming women are done as painstakingly as this particular X-lady.