Magic Act

Poof. It’s magic.

Just like that. The number one issue of the new Zatanna series cropped up on the bookshelf of the local comic book store this week. If you blinked, you might have missed it.

Like most magic performances, this one is very entertaining with a nice glimpse into things to come for the sorceress.

But it seems to be a high tide for many different female characters getting their own series following the footsteps of DC’s Powergirl or even Marvel’s Black Widow. However, it is the resident sorceress who’ll be getting her own magazine after forty years of scattered appearances.

They tried an ongoing series to run a couple of times before. The Seven Soldiers of Victory saga a few years ago tried to launch many minor characters into longer running series. Including Zatanna. It didn’t work out. There was another attempt many more years ago including an entire costume change. That one worked even less.

Which is too bad.

I have always found her to be an interesting character. And she looks great in a top hat and fishnet stockings that may make her one of the sexiest female characters in DC comics. She’s charming, very lovely, and has a nice personality… she would be someone I would like to have a cup of coffee with. No kidding. She's super nice. You don't see many nice people around.

She’s also the daughter of Zatanna of the Golden Age’s great magician Giovanni Zatara who was killed in one of the Swamp Thing issues (#50) where he was killed in a grisley fiery death. And her mother was Sindella who a member of Homo Magi race, very mystical. It’s obvious where she gets here magic talents from. She also received as a young child the notebook from Leonoardo Da Vinci. The entire books are written in backwards.

Which is why Zatanna speaks all her magic words backwards. Pretty cool, huh?

It’s find of fun seeing that. As you can read the words backwards in the dialogue to see what she says.

The number one issue (No individual title for the story) of the new ongoing series takes place in San Francisco when a bloody hit on several mafia head honchos becomes a rather bloody mess. And it leaves the police and detective into seeking the help from a local expert on the circle of magic. Someone who would be work in the unofficial capacity of advisor.

It’s nice to see how Zatanna works outside of her usual magic show on stage. And we, as an audience, watch how she interacts with other people while not in her traditional magician role. However, it turns out that the mob hit was bad news. Zatanna finds out that it is Brother Night who is making the hits and offing some important people in higher ranks in the mafia.

The ending reveals Brother Night isn’t in the same league as Zatanna, who might be one of the most powerful magicians in her side of town. So Brother Night calls up a demon who may be more than a match for her. It’s a clever lead in for the next issue.

Paul Dini has a good grasp of the character who is a great amount of fun. She doesn’t a dark side to her. But she knows what she’s doing when it comes to magic. Dini makes sure that the dialogue with her is very crisp, concise, with plenty of humor. Her trade offs with the detective such as when she asks me, “Are you asking me out on a date?” is a very funny one. The other highlight is her exchange with Brother Night who is a particularly nasty creature of the magic world.

Zatanna takes care of him in a hurry. And makes sure he doesn’t stick around in town anymore.

But her actions would only lead to bigger trouble.

I love the art. It’s a very nice, very good kind of art that doesn’t go overboard. I think it’s suitable for a comic book like Zatanna. It’s not so simple art… but detailed enough to give the comic book a sensible style. It's non-anime style, for one thing. Thankfully. The artist Stephane Roux knows how to draw her very well. There are portions of the book which cleverly hides a full front nudity shot of her as she strides into the shower and still makes the comic book a very fun read on all entertainmening levels.

I hope they continue to make it a fun book.

I have collected John Constantine: Hellblazer for the entire course of the series for twenty years or more… and it started out as a regular DC book hitting retail stores before the maturity concept in the book made it a more direct to comic stores approach. I don’t think this would be the same route for Zatanna. She’s a good character for anyone of all ages. Even the fishnet stockings are in good taste.

I would be interested in seeing how the series would run out. She’s got a healthy amount of history to unfold, and Dini would be the right guy to do it. He’s already wrote for the Zatanna character in the Batman: Animated Series. So he’s no stranger to her character. There is a gallery of interesting foes she could run into while star-crossing the magic world. And then there is also the possibility of doing stories revolving the more regular magic of her stage shows. There could be a nice blend of reality and fantasy.

There is even the possibility of seeing the return of Zatara in ghost form should they ever decide on bringing back his character. And it’s not uncommon for someone to see ghosts in the magic world.

I’m all for seeing creatures and demons stalking the universe who may hound the favorite stage performer of magic tricks. And she could combat it with her most incredible tongue lashing wit. It’s nice to see her getting the spotlight this time around. I’m hoping it’ll last a long time. It’ll be interesting to see how the artist and writer will build on her world of illusions with countless stories.

She isn’t an icy cold women who got her nose in the air. She’s friendly, very cute and certainly knows her way around magic. And it’ll be nice to pull off some good stories with her character.

I did tell you that she is nice.

Yes, I did.

Doctor Jerk is In

Is it going to be Doctor Who or Doctor Jerk from now on?

I'm not sure.

On the high end of the previous episode, where his companion Amy attempts to seduce him, the Doctor realizes that when a woman leaves him with on his travels… her relationships with other men tend to go awry due to the long periods of going away. It is more or less like a long distance relationship. Except she’s going through time. This can take a toll on anyone’s relationship.

We were already a witness to this with Rose and Mickey a few years ago... and how she steadily falls in love with the Doctor.

So here we are in the episode of “Vampires of Venice.” The Doctor finds a clever way of appearing to her fiancé Rory to explain the matter to him by popping out of a cake in the middle of a stag party. It’s hilarious. This might be Matt Smith’s best scene as the Doctor so far.

He tells his companion’s boyfriend, “Your fiancée tried to kiss me last night. Oh, you’re a lucky guy. She’s a great kisser.”

Then he drops the big one by stating that he was rehearsing this line in his head before and it sounded better to him in the private corner of his mind.

He's such a jerk.

And I like it.

It’s a brave attempt on the writers to give the character of the Doctor a sort of callous attitude towards humans. He is an alien being after all. And he’s more than 900 years old which gives him a sense of old age. Whatever it may be, he’s clearly got his head in the clouds. He wouldn’t know the mannerisms and customs of the human race. He’s well outside of this.

So he tries to bring his companion Amy Pond and her boyfriend Rory the greatest romantic trip they could have. Anywhere they want, anytime they want. With diasterous results. But the Doctor does try to patch things up for them. So the Doctor now is reduced to a chaperone? Who would have thought?

However, the idea of their entangled relationship becomes the center point in the show “Vampires of Venice.” Which is a beautifully shot episode filmed in Venice. (The show looks like a $50,000 pricetag here). There are girls disappearing in Venice and the Doctor plunges into solving the mystery. The Calvierri girls headed by the queenly woman Signora Rosanna Calvierri are actually vampires.

But it is the pseudo-science of Doctor Who which makes a very nice explanation for their being unseen in mirrors and why they have such a grotesque overbite. Their need for feeding on blood is easily explained here.

It is the sparkling dialogue brought by writer Toby Whithouse that takes center stage here. This is the same guy who is responsible for the wonderful show “School Reunion.” The fantastic clashing of racial differences between the Time Lords and vampires are well done with the Doctor and Rosanna. They are some nice, sharp dialogue here. Helped by the performances. And you often forget that the Doctor still has enormous fury in him.

Rory is a standout here because he is starting out as a dork who turns out to have some very good qualities in him. Amy must have a reason for marrying this guy. And we, as an audience, can see that he is really a likeable guy. So he does carry heroic personality in him. His inner conflict with the Doctor over Amy is often seen here… like high school boys fighting over the same girl.

In fact, Amy does refer to them as her “boys” in the end of the episode. Which is rather funny.

However, the same competition is carried over in the next episode “Amy’s Choice” by Simon Nye.

Which is, in every way, her choice between the Doctor and her boyfriend Rory. And the episode feeds on the idea of how far their relationship would go if the Doctor would keep on interfering with their peaceful lives.

High school 101 with Doctor Who? Or is it Doctor Jerk?

The show begins with a scene taking place five years after they traveled with the Doctor in a village of Leadworth. And the Doctor comes back and finds everything to be “boring” and “dull.” In a way, he is a jerk on purpose. He doesn’t care much for simple things like relationships. He is above this.

But there is a greater force at work here. And they are plagued with falling asleep as their dreams become reality, or vice versa.

This episode is becomes centered on the idea of lost love in reality. And the idea of Amy going with the Doctor leaves stressful pressure on her ongoing relationship. The choice is between the Doctor and Rory. And the test is created by someone called the Dream Lord. However, the way he talks and dresses up (with bowtie) is like a darker reflection of the Doctor himself. Is it in fact the darker side of the Doctor who is putting the companions through some nightmare… and forcing them to confront themselves regarding the status of their relationship?

The Dream Lord is very well played by Toby Jones who also performed as the leacherous Karl Rove in the movie "W". I can see some of the evil has been spilled in from his previous role to this one.

These two episode are very good shows as stand-alone. But it is the exploring of the companions which lifts these episodes above the average, another level. And we find another side of the Doctor which may not be very pretty. In fact, it’s downright scary. And Matt Smith performs his role as the Doctor with a very good approach. He might be an unlikeable guy at times. How would you like if some fairy tale type of hero comes and sweeps your girlfriend away?

Yeah, you wouldn’t like it either.

Yes, it is a science fiction show. But here it shows that it still has time for creating interesting quirks about the very relationship between people. And their relationship between themselves and the Doctor himself. After a while, you realize that the Doctor is a total alien being who may forget about others in his streak through adventure.

Do all the excitement and clamor really can have opposite effects on a simple relationship between people? What would happen if a husband and wife travels with the Doctor? What would happen?

You may remember the wonderful Tom Baker performance in the Doctor Who episode “Pyramids of Mars” where he seem callous to the death of a man. And there is Sarah Jane Smith’s reaction to him when she grows upset and says, “Sometimes you don’t seem…”

And the Doctor finishes off her sentence, “Human?”

Exactly.

And I believe the stories remind you in every way that the Doctor isn’t a human at all. That he is, after all, an outsider. And maybe even a jerk.

Yeah, I might even start petition on getting the show to be called “Doctor Jerk.” And it is the wonderful performance by Matt Smith making him a bit of a jerk that keeps the show funny and fresh. I’m all for this.

By the way, what a jerk.

More Heavy Metal

“You want to know how I go to the bathroom while in my armor suit?” a drunken Tony Stark says as he makes a demonstration with a sigh. “That's how you do it.”

The film of Iron Man 2 opens yesterday with a grand slam that starts where the first film leaves off as it portrays the rising arrogance of Stark as he eats up all the popularity. Some people loves him. Some people don't. The people who don't are spoilsports.

Welcome back to the world of Stark Industries as the film begins with Stark trying to fend off a government takeover of his suit and technology because they are afraid others would copy his work. The senate congressional, led by Senator Stern, is concerned about the liability of the technology. Stark says that the world is still safe when he has possession of the suit.

Stark turns congress into a sideshow.

Stark clearly enjoys being Iron Man. And it is very easy to see how arrogant he is... growing with a sense of power. It is a reckless thing. He loves being in the center of attention.

And so does Robert Downey Jr. who gives a great performance as Stark who is trapped in a suit when he realizes that he is dying. His foolish behavior, including getting drunk while still armor, causes him to come across another foe Whiplash who duplicated his technology and becomes a threat.

This is the kind of movie that is explosive, frantic, like many second installments of the series. It is filled with fast paced action showing a more variety of technology. I give the film a round of applause for creating a greater history for the Stark character and his world.

But top brand critics are already bashing this film. They are relentless in their criticisms without giving any real reason why. It's just all badmouthing. They are being crybabies about the movie because they are complaining over minor flaws. Their unconvincing arguments try to tell me that the film is a disaster. No, it isn't. Far from it.

It's earned more than $100.2 million in its first five days of release. Those are respectable numbers.

And they are missing the entire point of the film.

Stark is engulfed by his ego that he becomes a threat to himself. Not to mention, he is dying which throws him into all sorts of crazy behavior. However, there is a very lovely moment when Stark watches his father Howard Stark give a tender speech to his son made in a home video years and years ago: his father says that his own son will figure out the future.

It's a very good moment.

The action sequences are incredible. The drag racing scenes where Whiplash appears for the first time and messes up Stark's racing car is a hoot. The fight sequence is well staged between the two and furthers the battleground between them.

There is a great bit with the wonderful superspy Black Widow, played by sexy Scarlett Johansson, takes down a gallery of men when infiltrating Whiplash's headquarters. The final battle between Iron Man and War Machine against Whiplash is a brilliant stock of special effects as it provides a host of new technology for the suits. Then there are the smaller moments between Stark and his new CEO Pepper Potts as they bicker like a married couple.

This movie is like a crazy ride you're going on and you can't let go or otherwise you'll fall and break your neck. It's that kind of a ride.

The first song “Shoot to Thrill” by AC/DC is a perfect fit for a film like Iron Man 2. It is upbeat and exciting like the film is.

So don't listen to the other critics. These turkeys don't know what they're talking about. This film is a good adventure flick for the start of the summer.

The only thing I don't agree with is the character Justin Hammer who is played by Sam Rockwell... is reduced to a blithering idiot.In the comic books, Hammer is a dangerous business tycoon who is more than a competitor.. and the slight detail is that he is in his sixties in age.

However, the film does bump up the Whiplash character who has always been a chump in the comic books. And here he is played hellishly by Mickey Rourke. In the film, he is far more dangerous as his own life mirrors Stark's own life. And with terrible results.

It is Stark who recovers himself in time to become more responsible for the problems he caused, and reminds you of why Iron Man is a hero to his people. However flawed he is, you have to love him.

Stone Story

Lifeless, ageless, made of stone.

The Weeping Angels.

Though they’re not just weeping this time. They’re also angry. And they come back with a vengeance for the two part show of Doctor Who starting with “Time and the Angels.”

It is a return of a woman named River Song who is someone from the Doctor’s future. She escapes from the spacecraft Byzantine which is carrying some precious cargo, and the Doctor helps her safely onboard his own ship.

It leads to the ship crashing into a planet known as Alfava Metraxis which houses a city of angels which are every bit as dangerous as they appeared the last time around. What is the cargo? It is a Weeping Angel in captivity.

Stephen Moffat crafted the two part show which proves his skillful handling of tension, being in closed quarters. The number of dark corridors both in the dead city and on the ship itself reminds one of the old Doctor Who shows where closed off sets really can create a mood. Moffat does this well by giving a shroud of angels which seeps into the city like an approaching darkness. You can never see them. And if you do, you can’t blink. Because they can move faster than thought.

Some people have criticized this episode as the mystery of the angels are lost because they are being reused. But the angels are Moffat’s own creation. So he’s in the right about bringing the old foes back after two years. Yes, the mystery about them is gone. Much like the comic book character John Constantine who was introduced as a minor character in Swamp Thing. He was a mystery man. He has penchant for being an enigma. When Constantine received his own comic book series, many complained that he will lose that mystique.

However, the first writer Jamie Delano was able to build on the character, making him more interesting.

Moffat does the same thing here. He makes the Angels more interesting now. He creates new ways of making them scary… there are next to none special effects involving the angels. The Weeping Angels are played by actresses.

They are fanciful, beautiful things. Yet, when they turn feral, they are the most creepy looking things. They are like movements in shadows.

It is a good gimmick. Many camera uses are created solely for the atmosphere of the Angels. How can you make them scary again? That is a challenge. And one that the Doctor Who crew is willing to provide with great success. And the Angels do have a connection to the cracks of time that have been appearing throughout the series. The crack appears here and seems to swallow people and making them forget things.

The Angels laugh at the Doctor for not knowing what created the cracks. Much in the same way as Prisoner Zero snickers at him in “Eleventh Hour.”

Oh yes, the infamous scene with the Doctor using a gun in the end of part one. There haven’t been so much backlash about a scene as this one with the Doctor holding up the gun at a high angle. Many people were saying, “Oh, no, the Doctor is using the gun!”

As you clearly see here, the Doctor did not shoot another person as so many were assuming. He was shooting at the gravity globe that was lighting up the city they were in. People need to stop assuming things beforehand. Watch the episodes first. Then have a say. Not before.

The return of River Song is a welcome one. She is played by ER’s very own Alex Kingston who is a very good actress. She has a maturity about her that is on the same level as the Doctor. She is a good foil for the Doctor as she is far more action oriented. However, there are two sides to her.

I am guessing she may very well be a con artist. There is so much we don’t know about her.

In a magnificent death scene, Octavius who leads the military expedition from the Church organization announces one thing to the Doctor just moments before he is whisked away by the Angels: do not trust River Song. And he tells the Doctor he was holding her in custody for murdering a man. He won’t say who the man was.

There’s the added level of mystery again. What man could he be talking about? And River Song may not be who she says she is. Who is she? Only time will tell when the Doctor will meet with her again.

River Song is able to reduce the Doctor into a sulking husband type, feeling worn down by years of marriage. She is at the top of her game here. She also lands the TARDIS without breaking a sweat which gives her a very significant equality of the Doctor. There’s a beautiful comedic moment with the Doctor complains that his time machine doesn’t make that “wheezing” sound when it landed. And he sets out to imitate the sounds with his own voice. It’s very funny. She tells him that he leaves the breaks on.

Matt Smith is settling in very nice here in his character. He is becoming very energetic, forceful and commanding, his emotions ranging from one side to another. He does have the acting chops to be a very good Doctor Who actor. And these last few shows have seen him growing very well into the part. He channels much of Patrick Troughton, who played the second Doctor, in some of the tunnel scenes as he waddles into the shadows.

But the center of the story really revolves around Amy. She has to close her eyes to remain safe from the Angels as she stumbles through the forest. And the story takes a sharp turn as the Doctor returns her to her own house to recapture her memories once again. In her bedroom. Where she tries to seduce the Doctor in a brilliant romantic touch. Only to find that the cracks of time are circling around her day of the wedding. The very day she marries on.

And that somehow she is becoming an important anchor in the universe.

We don’t know yet.

The closed tunnels and the fast pace of the story makes this story a very good standout with some very nice moments in between. We do find that the Angels really only make one part of the ongoing story in the series: the cracks of time seem to be following the time travelers around in the cosmos. How important is Amy Pond?

Most likely, very.

This story adds to the big picture of what is going on. And we, as an audience, will have to follow time travelers as they reveal more of the story. And perhaps we’ll find out more about why the wedding is so important. And what is the significance River Song has to the Doctor.

Will we be seeing the Weeping Angels again?

I’m betting on it.