Steve: I so love that franchise.

I’m, curious as to what it is that prevented R&C from being the latest Mario or Sonic. Sure, the series definitely has it’s fans, but it never seemed to reach the status it really should have. Could it be because there are too many platforms now that the Xbox is out there, plus the handhelds? Or are games like Halo and GTA just too prevalent, pushing more traditional platformers to the side?

Andrew: Yeah, I think it’s a combination of things. What you said — plus the games aren’t really classic platformers; they aren’t really for little kids (i.e., no licensing); there are tons more games for them to fight for shelf space with; bigger audience is more fractured; etc.

That said, I think they’re the closest thing this generation had to a Mario or Sonic in terms of, like, pure entertainment value, creativity, imagination, and innovation. The thing is I don’t think the last generation had a real Mario or Sonic, either. Mario 64 was the biggest, I guess…? Crash Bandicoot, although innovative (most non-Nintendo platform-ish games now use that technology, right?), didn’t blow up into cultural icon status.

Steve: This is all very true. Crash almost attained that level of fame, what with the cartoon and toys and all, but somehow fell off before really cementing his status. It’s like he – and Ratchet, Jak, etc – are all victims of the audience actually having too much choice. I like choice – choice is great, but sometimes you can stare at the wall at the video game store and just feel overwhelmed, you know? And with games going for 40-50 bucks a pop, you have to really trust your friends’ judgement or research the hell out of them before you buy anything!

Not that I wish we’d end up back in the days where the choice was between Pitfall and E.T., but I think you see what I’m saying.

Andrew:This is actually my theory about all pop culture these days. It’s like an epidemic, and I honestly think causes people a weird, new kind of anxiety/depression that wasn’t around when stuff wasn’t so immediately available.

I think if you’re born into this world or old enough to not worry about it (our parents), you can deal. But for people in our generation — maybe the last to remember a time when you could make a decent attempt to really keep up with everything; before the internet, DVDs, 500+ TV channels, 60+-hour video games, downloadable music, etc. — even though we helped the culture make the transition, it’s been a tough one on our collective psyche in some respects.

Steve: I can totally see this. I don’t have as much trouble keeping up with info as some people, but even then, I’m kind of overloaded by the amount of pop culture out there. Really, for kids growing up now, pop culture is simpley Culture, I think. I’m not really sure if this is as awesome as I like to believe it is or not. I guess I’ll find out first hand as I watch the kid grow up over the next couple of decades, though.

No matter what, though, this one thing will remain true – Ratchet & Clank kicks ass.

Andrew: Yep, I’m totally getting the new R&C — maybe this weekend.

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If you click it, it’ll make it bigger.

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EDIT: A-ha! I had taken a shot of half a page with my phone, so here you go.

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My Friend: Maybe it’s the angle, but it looks like they made the “S” as small as possible.

MF: That thing should be HUGE! Like, “Look at me, I’m motherfucking SUPERMAN! I got heat vision, bitch!”

MF: Appreciate what they are going for, trying to keep the classic look, but not use cloth. It’s just weird loking. The dark red sucks, too.

MF: And the S belt buckle is Villiage People style.

MF: I’m keeping in mind that’s still Bryan Singer. The guy who gave us shit ass X-Man costumes, and the best superhero movie ever.

Me: You are quite upset …

I tell ya, it got me ready to face the day!

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———————————————–

Andrew: Dude, wtf with so many new comics last week. I gotta say, though, not too too many really bowled me over. The Morrison JLA was pretty cool; I’m totally digging Adam Strange; and Astonishing XMen is fucking GREAT. But man…Avengers and GL:Rebirth = zzzzzzzz. Intimates was vaguely interesting. Haven’t read Question or Lapham’s Detective yet. The main story in Detective, though, jesus christ what a bore.

Steve: JLA was awesome. Morrison needs to pump out another 24-36 issues, STAT. Astonishing is so fucking good. Whedon’s hinted that he may be back for a second year, which would rule. Avengers was OK. Bendis managed to save the arc from being total shit, but those middle chapters really killed it. GL: Rebirth…My friend Tae’s the only person I know that’s digging it all that much. Intimates was pretty decent, I thought. Not the greatest thing in the world, but it’s different and not annoying. Plus, I dug the art pretty much, so that’s a plus.

Andrew: I totally agree with you, except that I surprisingly maybe didn’t like the JLA as much as you. Astonishing X rules. I doubt I’ll pick up the HCs, but man is it ever good. Yeah, Avengers wasn’t the worst ever…I wonder if the monthly will be any good…? “different and not annoying” is a good description of Intimates, imo. The cool is a bit forced, but not too bad.
Rebirth I guess you have to be a big GL fan, which kind of sucks, imo.

Steve: Well, I think I look at all of Morrison’s stuff as chapters when it comes out monthly. You rarely get a full story in 22 pages from him, but unlike a lot of other writers, at least those 22 pages are satisfying. Of course, the Ed McGuinness art definitely helped here…

Andrew: That’s true, his stuff reads infinitely better when you can get to it as a whole. He’s awesome, man — fucking six new characters in the span of, what, 10 pages? Unreal. He’s one of the few writers nowadays who doesn’t underestimate the intelligence of his audience, imo.

Steve: That’s it exactly. I’m not saying it was the greatest bit of storytelling I’ve ever witnessed, but like you said, he introduced an entire group of new characters, more or less, and even managed to give us enough background on some of them that you actually care about them, all in half an issue. Add on the Batman’s Sci-Fi Closet and Bat Flying Saucer, and you’ve got gold.

Andrew: Totally. It’s like he hasn’t lost a step!

Steve: You said the Intimates’ cool is a little forced, but different and not annoying, and I can’t agree more. Morrison, on the other hand, still manages to bring the cool and different without it being forced at all.

Andrew: He is unreal, man. Definitely check out The Filth if you ever get a chance. It’s one of the best things he’s ever done.

Steve: I really, really disliked the first issue of The Filth, so I don’t seem myself buying the TPB anytime soon. People seem hardcore split on it, too, either loving or hating the thing.

Andrew: Weird. I can see it being tough getting past the first couple issues, but it ends up being pretty straight up Morrison. Well, it’s better than the Invisibles, for sure.

Steve: If I get a chancel borrow it from someone eventually, but it’s not on my list of Shit To Spend Money On right now.

Andrew: Well, it damn well should be! Hee…

———————————————–

Aaaaand….disintegrate into the video game and hot nekkid women talk…

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Andrew – Strange is cool

Steve – Totally!!! Why is that??

Andrew – I’m not sure — just something about those DC characters

Andrew – the older ones, anyway

Steve – Is that it? I could never figure out why I liked Adam Strange, yet I always have.

Andrew – I feel like it has something to do with DC not taking place in the “real” world like Marvel, but I’m not sure

Steve – That might be part of it, but there’s still some weird attraction the Adam Strange stuff has that I think goes beyond that.

Steve – Adam Strange should just be a watered down Flash Gordon knock off, but somehow, I dig AS a lot more than FG as a character.

Andrew – I haven’t even read that much about him — just know he’s dope

Steve – I don’t think I’ve read too much with him either, really, but when he shows up in a book, I dig on it just a little more.

Andrew – totally

Steve – Always liked his Justice League appearances a lot for some reason.

Andrew – all I remember off hand is the Alan Moore stuff in Swamp think

Steve – Jesus – he’s in ST? I really need to get those TPBs…

Andrew – can get wordy, but man, when it’s good…holy shit

Andrew – “In a guest appearance in Swamp Thing, writer Alan Moore invented a new past for him, one in which the people of Rann were slowly dying out due to declining fertility, and the actual intent of the Zeta Beam was to bring Adam to them as a breeding stud.”

Steve – Wonder if Diggle and Ferry will be following up on that at all?

Andrew – not sure

Steve – Ack. Whatever. Strange rules, Diggle knows how to write and Pascal Ferry’s art has gone from good to amazing.

Steve – Sold.

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Steve – Can you answer me this – why does this pic rock do hard?

Andrew - LOL. you’re psyched.

Steve – Seriously, why does that rock so much I had to snap a pic of it???

Andrew - man. haven’t had DP in the length.

Steve - Shit, I had to buy it, it rocks so hard….

Andrew – DP is so goddam good

Steve - I get it on rare occassions. Spidey made it a Must Have.

Andrew - I’ll tell you, Spider-Man is fucking awesome

Andrew - I’ll totally do that shit

Steve - Buy a DP for the Spidey graphics?

Andrew - if Spidey or the Hulk are on something I briefly am like “oh man — that’s awesome!”

Andrew - like some holdover from childhood

Steve - Didn’t show in the pic, but the eyes….the eyes are mirrored. Totally reflective.

Andrew - sweet

Steve - Andrew and Steve = Forever Fuckin’ Geek.

Andrew - fucking a

Andrew - Spider Man is definitely the best superhero ever

Steve - Without A Doubt.

Andrew - I’m so like less than five steps away from being such a spidey dork

Steve - Bought my friends some little kids Spidey jesus sandals over the weekend. Size 4, so he’ll grow into them.

Steve - Determined to make their son a Spidey geek. Whether they approve or not.

Andrew - righteous

Andrew - Say it loud — I’m a dork and I’m proud.

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Steve: Not really…
Steve: Hmm. Supreme Power was good, but not great. Awesome last page, tho.

Andrew: gah
Andrew: ah well

Steve: Swamp Thing looks alright. definitely a return to the character’s roots.

Andrew: there’s a new Swamp Thing book?!?

Steve: Yep.

Andrew: that’ll do well…

Steve: Gorgeous art. Very Bissette/Totlebein.
Steve: It might do OK to start – major Constantine appearance.

Andrew: who’s the writer

Steve: Andy Diggle – Losers.
Steve: Almost a Hellblazer arc right now.

Andrew: yeah, the old Swamp Thing tried that
Andrew: I mean, the last series

Steve: It did? Huh.

Andrew: not sure what they’re thinking — seriously, no one gives a shit
Andrew: not to be blunt, but…

Steve: Who knows? The character was a pretty good moneymaker once upon a time, I guess.

Andrew: he’s like the Nick Fury of DC
Andrew: or Silver Surfer more like

Steve: Good comparison.

Andrew: totally popular, and yet can’t carry his own book — weird

Steve: Either way, the first issue is pretty good stuff. Definitely gonna get it for a few months.

Andrew: cool
Andrew: best thing about Andy Diggle = his last name

Steve: Heh! He’s a pretty good writer, too!
Steve: Also got Monolith #2. Digging the book so far.

Andrew: oh yeah — have no interest

Steve: Ah, well.
Steve: I like it. Winslade art always gets more than just a glance from me.

Andrew: yeah, he’s awesome — still don’t give a shit, though. lol.

Steve: And, I grabbed the third ALIAS TPB. Good shit.

Andrew: nice

Steve: Except for the one issue they out in there. Nice story, absolute crap watercolors. Looked like a right-handed high school kid painted it with their left hand.

Andrew: bummer

Steve: Luckily it was a stand-alone, so it didn’t ruin an arc.
Steve: Also looked through the new Alpha Flight…
Steve: Baaaaddd…..

Andrew: dude, I wouldn’t touch that just for the title of the story arc alone

Steve: What’s the title?

Andrew: “Shit No One Wants to Read”
Andrew: hold on I’ll find it

Steve: Ha!!!

Andrew: “You Gotta Be Kiddin’ Me”

Steve: The art was nice, and totally wasted on the script. I think Lobdell was trying for the funny, but failed miserably.
Steve: What???
Steve: Seriously?

Andrew: dude — who thinks that’s funny anymore? wtf time frame is he living in?
Andrew: “Hi, I just flew in from 1992…”

Steve: “And boy, are my jokes tired!”

Andrew: no wonder kids don’t read these books, man
Andrew: what kid is going to pick that up?
Andrew: that would sound out of touch to a 2 year old.

Steve: The one that lives in his parent’s basement and obsesses over Nick At Nite?

Andrew: heh!
Andrew: and is 35-40

Steve: Yes!
Steve: Either way, Alpha Flight = stinker.

Andrew: same thing as Swamp Thing: no idea why they would release somehting like tha

Steve: Hey, at least they got talent on Swamp Thing.

Andrew: ah, very true

Steve: Might make it a few years and get a few trades out of it, now that they’re at least telling Swamp Thing stories instead of Daughter Of The Swamp Thing…

Andrew: yeah, that was a mistake, imo

Steve: Big mis-step, yeah.
Steve: Diggle’s made Tefe more interesting in 2-3 pages than they did in her first 2 issues.

Andrew: ha! nice

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