Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Meth & Comics, Admiral in Africa, Desertification of Austin
Superman would punch you in the face for that
It appears that some losers in Denver were using a collectible comic business as a front for trafficking drugs and laundering the dough. I don't know. It's all shady, and the fact that these guys were most likely using comics about costumed do-gooders to do bad is upsetting, but not quite as upsetting as the rest of what they were up to.
Here's a blog post from the Denver paper.
I don't expect drug dealers to be classy folks, but what is it with meth? Everyone involved with meth always looks like 20 miles of bad road and they do such weird stuff.
Leaguers, Superman would not approve.
The thing is, these guys could have legally been trafficking in iffy merchandise with the whole vintage comics business and done just fine. The fuzz seized hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of comics in this deal. Why not just take advantage of the nerds on eBay and live the good life with the comic business you've got?
Now all these great comics are off the market and entered as evidence. And that's just wrong...
The Admiral in Africa
Got my first e-mail from The Old Man, as he globe trots once again. He's apparently shaking down folks in Nigeria this week.
Sounds like he's got plenty of folks around him that know how to use a gun, which is kind of kooky. Mostly he's freaked out by the lack of discipline when it comes to traffic, which sounds exactly like him.
The Admiral in African urban sprawl doesn't equate in my head, but I guess he's doing okay.
Monsoon Season?
It's hot in Austin this summer, and has been since June 1. We've had record breaking temperatures both in how high the mercury is rising and the sheer duration of the period of 100+ days.
I had beers last week with some folks I don't know, but they work in environmentally friendly landscaping. They mentioned that Austin is being re-zoned as being more "deserty", and one of these folks wasn't a transplant but a lifelong Austinite. She's seeing the changes, too.
Anyway, two days in a row isn't a pattern, exactly. But the past two days, in the hour before sunset, we've had rain. In Arizona (which I think we can all agree is a hot desert) in late summer, they have something called Monsoon season. Right around sunset, rain would blow in from the east. I guess it was some mix of wet air from that gulf east of the Baja Peninsula and the hot, still air that had been hanging around all day.
Again, its just been two days of similar weather, but its starting to freak me out a little...
Monday, August 24, 2009
Meme of Firsts
Well, this is easier than coming up with new, original content. Its time for another meme.
1. Who was your FIRST date?
Miss Shauna Cross, she of the "Whip It" feature film.
I was 14, KareBear drove us to the Showplace 6, and we saw the Kris Kristofferson/ Cheryl Ladd Sci-Fi epic, "Millennium". I had no idea what I was doing, or, pretty clearly, I wouldn't have pitched "Millennium". More than likely, I probably tried to make her pay for herself. I don't remember.
I do recall Jason and his pals thought it was hilarious that I was having the KareBear drive me around on dates. But it seemed uncool to make her sit on the handlebars of my Schwinn.
Also, I had a date and they did not.
Shauna was one of the first girls I ever met who could dish it out as well as take it, and at 14 or 15, that's a rare commodity. We went to Homecoming a few weeks later, and then I don't know what... I honestly have no recollection. But obviously it wasn't too traumatic as we remain chummy to this day. And that, Leaguers, was almost exactly 20 years ago.
I am old.
2. Do you still talk to your FIRST love?
Uhhhhh... I don't know how to answer this question. Sure.
3. What was your FIRST alcoholic drink?
The Admiral, being a wise man, gave me a taste of his beer when I was five. I was a grabby, persistent kid, and since The Admiral seemed to enjoy having a cold can of Miller when he was cooking up some burgers. He must have decided to cut this off quickly and let me have a sip so he could just have a beer in peace. Can't blame a man works hard for a living when he shuts a kid down.
He must have known exactly what was going to happen, because I was completely horrified and didn't touch beer again until I was up to no good years and years later.
The first drink I ordered and finished was a margarita ordered at a restaurant in Cozumel called "The Fat Grouper" at 14 or 15. I was sort of non-plussed. And also under parental supervision.
4. What was your FIRST job?
The much discussed gig at Chuck E. Cheese.
As of this posting, the 6th hit one gets on Google when you search for "working at Chuck E. Cheese".
5. What was your FIRST car?
Ah... The Badger.
A 1983 red and maroon Honda Accord. 4 cylinders of justice, no power steering, and, in the end, no AC, either. The name was given to the car when we decided that it was "dangerous when cornered". It was a great little car.
Not "The Badger", but more or less the same thing
I loved that car the way you love a dog or cat, and had the cost of repairing the car not become a bit crazy, I would have gladly driven it for a lot longer.
6. Where did you go on your FIRST ride on an airplane?
I have no idea. My guess would be Marquette, Michigan from Dallas, Texas. But I don't know. It may have been from Michigan to Florida, too.
7. Who was your FIRST best friend & do you still talk?
We moved around a lot as kids. I don't know if I have any idea who my first best friend was. The answer is probably no.
8. Whose wedding did you attend the FIRST time?
My mother's sister, passed before I was born. Her husband, my Uncle D, re-married when I was little enough that I remember looking around in wonder at all the people in sport coats at the wedding. From about 3' high. I remember knowing the event wasn't aimed at kids, because people kept standing up, and then I couldn't see.
9. Tell us about your FIRST roommate.
Peabo!
Peabo and I had been buddies since 4th grade, when I moved to Austin, so maybe that answers that "best friend" question.
Anyway, we were terrible roommates. We'd known each other too long to try to be polite from day 1. I was messy, loud, constantly making coffee. He listened to Billy Joel's Greatest Hits on repeat for an entire semester.
We're still pals, and I don't recall more than a few arguments, but we wisely decided to be pals and not roommates when it came time to re-up. And because of that, we're still talking to one another today.
That was also the year that Peabo BECAME Peabo. Because, as we sat watching TV one evening, Peabo Bryson was on, and thinking out loud, my roommate said "I wish I had a cool name like PEABO. Peeeee-boh."
And I said, "All right, Peabo."
Thus, Peabo was born.
10. If you had one wish, what would it be (other than more wishes)?
An end to disease sounds great in theory, but I suspect that we'd create more problems than solve them all. An end to want?
A better hair cut? Maybe "The Kirk"?
11. What is something you would learn if you had the chance?
How is this a "first?" This meme has gone off the rails.
Fine. I'd learn Spanish. I don't know what half the people are saying 90% of the time.
Or else I'd learn accordian, because that would be awesome.
12. Did you marry the FIRST person you were in love with?
Sure. Dude, these memes are trouble.
13. What were the first lessons you ever took and why?
Tumbling. Man, I have no idea. Don't all kids take tumbling?
I also really remember swimming lessons.
14. What is the first thing you do when you get home?
Get assaulted by lovely dogs, put down my computer bag, say hello to the cat, find Jamie, get some smoochies, and say "How was your day?"
It's not a bad thing to come home to, I tell you.
1. Who was your FIRST date?
Miss Shauna Cross, she of the "Whip It" feature film.
I was 14, KareBear drove us to the Showplace 6, and we saw the Kris Kristofferson/ Cheryl Ladd Sci-Fi epic, "Millennium". I had no idea what I was doing, or, pretty clearly, I wouldn't have pitched "Millennium". More than likely, I probably tried to make her pay for herself. I don't remember.
I do recall Jason and his pals thought it was hilarious that I was having the KareBear drive me around on dates. But it seemed uncool to make her sit on the handlebars of my Schwinn.
Also, I had a date and they did not.
Shauna was one of the first girls I ever met who could dish it out as well as take it, and at 14 or 15, that's a rare commodity. We went to Homecoming a few weeks later, and then I don't know what... I honestly have no recollection. But obviously it wasn't too traumatic as we remain chummy to this day. And that, Leaguers, was almost exactly 20 years ago.
I am old.
2. Do you still talk to your FIRST love?
Uhhhhh... I don't know how to answer this question. Sure.
3. What was your FIRST alcoholic drink?
The Admiral, being a wise man, gave me a taste of his beer when I was five. I was a grabby, persistent kid, and since The Admiral seemed to enjoy having a cold can of Miller when he was cooking up some burgers. He must have decided to cut this off quickly and let me have a sip so he could just have a beer in peace. Can't blame a man works hard for a living when he shuts a kid down.
He must have known exactly what was going to happen, because I was completely horrified and didn't touch beer again until I was up to no good years and years later.
The first drink I ordered and finished was a margarita ordered at a restaurant in Cozumel called "The Fat Grouper" at 14 or 15. I was sort of non-plussed. And also under parental supervision.
4. What was your FIRST job?
The much discussed gig at Chuck E. Cheese.
As of this posting, the 6th hit one gets on Google when you search for "working at Chuck E. Cheese".
5. What was your FIRST car?
Ah... The Badger.
A 1983 red and maroon Honda Accord. 4 cylinders of justice, no power steering, and, in the end, no AC, either. The name was given to the car when we decided that it was "dangerous when cornered". It was a great little car.
Not "The Badger", but more or less the same thing
I loved that car the way you love a dog or cat, and had the cost of repairing the car not become a bit crazy, I would have gladly driven it for a lot longer.
6. Where did you go on your FIRST ride on an airplane?
I have no idea. My guess would be Marquette, Michigan from Dallas, Texas. But I don't know. It may have been from Michigan to Florida, too.
7. Who was your FIRST best friend & do you still talk?
We moved around a lot as kids. I don't know if I have any idea who my first best friend was. The answer is probably no.
8. Whose wedding did you attend the FIRST time?
My mother's sister, passed before I was born. Her husband, my Uncle D, re-married when I was little enough that I remember looking around in wonder at all the people in sport coats at the wedding. From about 3' high. I remember knowing the event wasn't aimed at kids, because people kept standing up, and then I couldn't see.
9. Tell us about your FIRST roommate.
Peabo!
Peabo and I had been buddies since 4th grade, when I moved to Austin, so maybe that answers that "best friend" question.
Anyway, we were terrible roommates. We'd known each other too long to try to be polite from day 1. I was messy, loud, constantly making coffee. He listened to Billy Joel's Greatest Hits on repeat for an entire semester.
We're still pals, and I don't recall more than a few arguments, but we wisely decided to be pals and not roommates when it came time to re-up. And because of that, we're still talking to one another today.
That was also the year that Peabo BECAME Peabo. Because, as we sat watching TV one evening, Peabo Bryson was on, and thinking out loud, my roommate said "I wish I had a cool name like PEABO. Peeeee-boh."
And I said, "All right, Peabo."
Thus, Peabo was born.
10. If you had one wish, what would it be (other than more wishes)?
An end to disease sounds great in theory, but I suspect that we'd create more problems than solve them all. An end to want?
A better hair cut? Maybe "The Kirk"?
11. What is something you would learn if you had the chance?
How is this a "first?" This meme has gone off the rails.
Fine. I'd learn Spanish. I don't know what half the people are saying 90% of the time.
Or else I'd learn accordian, because that would be awesome.
12. Did you marry the FIRST person you were in love with?
Sure. Dude, these memes are trouble.
13. What were the first lessons you ever took and why?
Tumbling. Man, I have no idea. Don't all kids take tumbling?
I also really remember swimming lessons.
14. What is the first thing you do when you get home?
Get assaulted by lovely dogs, put down my computer bag, say hello to the cat, find Jamie, get some smoochies, and say "How was your day?"
It's not a bad thing to come home to, I tell you.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Food Meme
The League loves a good meme.
Here's another from Calvin's Canadian Cave of Coolness. It's food-related.
What food makes you sick?
It depends how you mean. I have enjoyed Indian Food with disastrous results. I practically wept my way through a traditional Scandinavian meal of Lutefisk (cod soaked in lye. I @#$% you not).
But if I had to pick one thing that makes me cringe just to think on it, its brussel sprouts.
I also really don't like corn dogs.
What is a food habit that you can't stand?
Asking me to go "family style" after we've ordered. I ordered what I wanted to eat, and planned to eat all of it. I know people like to take small bites off each other's plates and make little happy sounds, etc...
I may not WANT ginger-soaked brussell sprouts or whatever you ordered. And then I'm down part of what I did want to eat.
You can either ask ahead of time or live with the choice you made when you ordered.
That said, all bets are off if you're talking BBQ. In fact, you may want to hide your hands under the table lest I mistake them for part of the meal.
What food habit did your sister/brother used to have growing up that you couldn't stand?
I'm sorry to reveal this, but Jason used to slurp when he ate his cereal. Every damn bite. God help me, it drove me nuts.
Apparently my tongue would occasionally appear when I ate. This I learned one dark morning when I broached the subject with a classy comment along the lines of "why don't you quit eating like a G-D troll and quit slurping your cereal?"
What food cracks you up?
Asparagus. It doesn't look like food at all. It looks like something out of a swamp. And its sort of is fun to wave around inappropriately. And yet, with lemon, oil, salt and pepper? Delicious.
What vegetable couldn't you live without?
I have no idea. Corn is a grain. Lettuce is more of a filler. I love broccoli, but I also only ever get it when we go out (Jamie can't eat it). So, maybe tomatoes? But they're technically a fruit...
I have no answer here.
Food gadgets you remember as a child?
For some reason, monkeying with The Admiral's egg poacher was verboten. But it was round and yellow and looked like fun.
I also recall the popcorn popper which was in odd shades of orange that disappeared from consumer goods with the close of the 1970's.
Later, I was a fan of a sandwich "maker". Basically, it fried your sandwich.
Food that was hidden, then discovered on the top shelf of your room?
I honestly don't think this ever happened. I did show enormous willpower in 7th grade by hanging onto my Halloween candy, eating only one piece per night so it would last.
This ended around Easter, when I realized a lot of candy was about to appear, and I just finished off the candy and threw some away.
Without mentioning robots, how do you think cooking in the future will be better?
Futurama introduced the idea of "Bachelor Chow", which seemed sort of like cereal, but maybe not. It was just a food-like substance one could pour in a bowl and eat with a spoon.
Sometimes you're hungry, and it would be nice to eat something without going to the trouble of having to add cereal AND milk to the bowl. Sometimes you're just hungry, and it would be nice to not think too, too much about what it was you were going to eat.
Anyway, I'm holding out for Bachelor Chow.
What is an annoying thing that bothers you about women and food?
I see no real way to answer this question without getting in trouble, and after years together, our habits are sort of invisible to me. But here's one thing:
If you insist on increasing your carbon footprint by taking a plastic or styrofoam container home, eat the food at lunch the next day. I might be wasting food by not taking home those pizza crusts, but I always doubt you're ever going to eat that left over chinese, and no matter what, you're creating extra trash.
Also, why did you order more than what you were going to eat to begin with?
Food you once projectile vomited after being wasted?
Well, goodness. Two standouts I remember are Doritos and Kerbey Lane pancakes.
Less said about that, the better.
What would be your last meal?
Well, geez. I guess I'd have finally really botched things to be in a position where I wasn't just getting food from a tube and know its my last meal and be able to write up a menu.
There used to be a site that listed last meals, and it was oddly fascinating. Several are in Texas. What do you know about that?
I think I'd seriously just ask for eggs, toast with butter, and a gallon of hot coffee. And the morning paper.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, after all.
What is your funniest family food memory?
Me laughing at Peabo at the dinner table while eating spicy tacos. Taco meat went up my nasal passage, the same way you usually see milk head out. Taco spices scorched my nasal passage as I rolled around on the floor, eyes watering. As I worked the ground beef out of my sinuses, my family just went back to talking and eating.
That, Leaguers, was growing up in the Steans House.
Here's another from Calvin's Canadian Cave of Coolness. It's food-related.
What food makes you sick?
It depends how you mean. I have enjoyed Indian Food with disastrous results. I practically wept my way through a traditional Scandinavian meal of Lutefisk (cod soaked in lye. I @#$% you not).
But if I had to pick one thing that makes me cringe just to think on it, its brussel sprouts.
I also really don't like corn dogs.
What is a food habit that you can't stand?
Asking me to go "family style" after we've ordered. I ordered what I wanted to eat, and planned to eat all of it. I know people like to take small bites off each other's plates and make little happy sounds, etc...
I may not WANT ginger-soaked brussell sprouts or whatever you ordered. And then I'm down part of what I did want to eat.
You can either ask ahead of time or live with the choice you made when you ordered.
That said, all bets are off if you're talking BBQ. In fact, you may want to hide your hands under the table lest I mistake them for part of the meal.
What food habit did your sister/brother used to have growing up that you couldn't stand?
I'm sorry to reveal this, but Jason used to slurp when he ate his cereal. Every damn bite. God help me, it drove me nuts.
Apparently my tongue would occasionally appear when I ate. This I learned one dark morning when I broached the subject with a classy comment along the lines of "why don't you quit eating like a G-D troll and quit slurping your cereal?"
What food cracks you up?
Asparagus. It doesn't look like food at all. It looks like something out of a swamp. And its sort of is fun to wave around inappropriately. And yet, with lemon, oil, salt and pepper? Delicious.
What vegetable couldn't you live without?
I have no idea. Corn is a grain. Lettuce is more of a filler. I love broccoli, but I also only ever get it when we go out (Jamie can't eat it). So, maybe tomatoes? But they're technically a fruit...
I have no answer here.
Food gadgets you remember as a child?
For some reason, monkeying with The Admiral's egg poacher was verboten. But it was round and yellow and looked like fun.
I also recall the popcorn popper which was in odd shades of orange that disappeared from consumer goods with the close of the 1970's.
Later, I was a fan of a sandwich "maker". Basically, it fried your sandwich.
Food that was hidden, then discovered on the top shelf of your room?
I honestly don't think this ever happened. I did show enormous willpower in 7th grade by hanging onto my Halloween candy, eating only one piece per night so it would last.
This ended around Easter, when I realized a lot of candy was about to appear, and I just finished off the candy and threw some away.
Without mentioning robots, how do you think cooking in the future will be better?
Futurama introduced the idea of "Bachelor Chow", which seemed sort of like cereal, but maybe not. It was just a food-like substance one could pour in a bowl and eat with a spoon.
Sometimes you're hungry, and it would be nice to eat something without going to the trouble of having to add cereal AND milk to the bowl. Sometimes you're just hungry, and it would be nice to not think too, too much about what it was you were going to eat.
Anyway, I'm holding out for Bachelor Chow.
What is an annoying thing that bothers you about women and food?
I see no real way to answer this question without getting in trouble, and after years together, our habits are sort of invisible to me. But here's one thing:
If you insist on increasing your carbon footprint by taking a plastic or styrofoam container home, eat the food at lunch the next day. I might be wasting food by not taking home those pizza crusts, but I always doubt you're ever going to eat that left over chinese, and no matter what, you're creating extra trash.
Also, why did you order more than what you were going to eat to begin with?
Food you once projectile vomited after being wasted?
Well, goodness. Two standouts I remember are Doritos and Kerbey Lane pancakes.
Less said about that, the better.
What would be your last meal?
Well, geez. I guess I'd have finally really botched things to be in a position where I wasn't just getting food from a tube and know its my last meal and be able to write up a menu.
There used to be a site that listed last meals, and it was oddly fascinating. Several are in Texas. What do you know about that?
I think I'd seriously just ask for eggs, toast with butter, and a gallon of hot coffee. And the morning paper.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, after all.
What is your funniest family food memory?
Me laughing at Peabo at the dinner table while eating spicy tacos. Taco meat went up my nasal passage, the same way you usually see milk head out. Taco spices scorched my nasal passage as I rolled around on the floor, eyes watering. As I worked the ground beef out of my sinuses, my family just went back to talking and eating.
That, Leaguers, was growing up in the Steans House.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Kind of Bloop
Because its funny to see Nathan C. freak out.
Miles Davis: Kind of Blue as an 8-Bit
It may also sound like the only video game Nathan would be really motivated to play
from Dan G.
Miles Davis: Kind of Blue as an 8-Bit
It may also sound like the only video game Nathan would be really motivated to play
from Dan G.
Wolfman Trailer
Well, they certainly expanded upon the original Wolfman movie. That's cool.
I've only seen the original twice, I think. But it's a good movie, and while the story looks mostly very different, it does look as if like they kept to the same spirit.
It also warms my heart that Universal loves its own monster movies enough that they don't blink at a re-make every once in a while.
Aren't we due for a "Bride of Frankenstein" remake?
Happy B-Day to The Admiral
Happy B-Day to The Admiral!
Today The Admiral turns 562. To be truthful, I just don't feel like doing the math. Anyway, he's a geezer.
The Admiral feels this birthday thing is a trap.
Next week, the Admiral is headed for Africa. It's a first for The Admiral, and we're hoping it goes swimmingly.
The Admiral (on left) makes a new pal
Anyway, I hope The Old Man has a good birthday weekend before heading off for adventure.
Today The Admiral turns 562. To be truthful, I just don't feel like doing the math. Anyway, he's a geezer.
The Admiral feels this birthday thing is a trap.
Next week, the Admiral is headed for Africa. It's a first for The Admiral, and we're hoping it goes swimmingly.
The Admiral (on left) makes a new pal
Anyway, I hope The Old Man has a good birthday weekend before heading off for adventure.
In Which I Talk About Some Comics
editor's note: I've seen a surprising spike in traffic thanks to the link from When Fangirls Attack. Welcome to all new visitors! Please feel free to poke around, ask questions, take off your shoes, etc...
Poe #2
Writer: J. Barton Mitchell
Art: Dean Kotz
Obviously I'm a bit biased, what with knowing JackBart and all, but I was very pleased with Poe #2. The story took a supernatural turn I wasn't expecting, there's elements of Poe's work peppering the comic without weighing it down or feeling like a wink, and, honestly, its got an intriguing mystery that's a page turner.
I am also happy to report that there's a "blink and you'll miss it" shout out to a Leaguer or two in the comic.
Dean Kotz's style suits the mood for this story very well.
The comic comes in two different covers, so keep your eyes peeled if you pick up issues #1 and #2, so you don't think you're picking up different comics.
But I can safely recommend the book as a smart, well-characterized, well-paced read. For JackBart's first comic on the shelves, he's outdoing many of his veteran counterparts, and certainly bringing his own perspective to the work.
Color me impressed!
Power Girl #4
Written by Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray
Art by Amanda Conner
Power Girl has long been a point of contention in the comics-sphere. Her origin was a mess until 2006. She was sorta Supergirl/ sorta not. But mostly she became characterized as the poorly tempered hero with the cleavage-bearing costume.
Whether bloggers had actually ever read any comics featuring Power Girl or not, the character design was held up routinely as "what's wrong with comics". And given how many artists and writers handled the character, it was hard to argue the point.
However, the new series takes Power Girl in one of the two directions in which Power Girl seems to work best. Position 1 is: capable leader or the JSA, with a short fuse, but a decisive "let's take the fight to them" sort of attitude. It works in a team book, but in a solo project, Power Girl works well as Position #2: She's great at being a superhero, but is sort of sit-com-ish about everything else.
Power Girl takes on a big challenge
I adore Amanda Conner's work (also currently being seen in her Supergirl strip in "Wednesday Comics"), but have not not always been a fan of her writer-husband and his partner, Justin Gray. I'd initially skipped the first issue, but eventually decided to give the series a try.
I have to give kudos to Conner, Palmiotti and Gray. I wasn't sure how things would shake out on this series after the first three issues, but #4 tells me what this team wants to do with the book, and I'm in.
They're not resorting to an endless bunch of boob jokes, and there's a lot of love for the character they see as cranky, messy, and probably a lot unfocused. There's not an attempt to make the character a "bad ass", a la everything Warren Ellis ever wrote. Nor is she a Mary Sue, filling in for a 12 year-old's fantasy version of themselves.
"Fun" was a dirty word in superhero comics a few years ago, but I think when you see a project like "Power Girl", you can have a little hope that there's an audience out there for a different tone in their superhero reading.
Potential pitfalls include:
-Tying into grim'n'gritty storylines in which Power Girl might appear (see: JSA vs. Kobra)
-Deciding Power Girl doesn't have enough pathos and steering toward much of the rest of superherodom
-The current team leaving and a new writer going back to "Power Girl's boobs" jokes (ie: laugh at, not with)
I'm pleased to say I'm recommending the title.
Batgirl #1
Writer: Brain Q. Miller
Art: Lee Garbett and Trevor Scott
Spoilers below.
He he. Spoilers.
Dear DC: On your new Batgirl comic. No.
Let me confess, there's a certain drudgery to reading a certain percentage of Batman comics. At the end of the day, there are only so many things a Batman can actually do as he wages a war against colorful villains in what has got to be the worst @#$%ing place to live in the Western Hemisphere.
What separates the great writers from everyone else at DC Comics may be whether or not they can pull off an interesting Batman story in this day and age, while keeping the stories in an environment in which the most fantastic thing about Batman is that nobody in Gotham has pieced together that the traumatized billionaire with the technology company might also be the Bat-guy with all the crazy technology.
These days, I'm giving Morrison an "A" in this area, Dini a "B-" on Streets of Gotham, Rucka a "B", Winick a "C-" and everyone else, a solid "D".
There is absolutely no compelling reason to read the new Batgirl series.
Batgirl is the character formerly known as Spoiler, btw (if you read comics and didn't put that together, well, you need your nerd-card revoked). I still remember when Spoiler showed up the first time. She was the teen-aged daughter of Injustice League villain "Clue Master", a Riddler-like villain who occasionally annoyed Batman. To get back at her old man, Stephanie Brown put on a mask and tried to ruin his day. She became the girlfriend of the 3rd Robin.
Brown would later become famous as the "failed Robin", who was supposedly killed by Bat-villain Black Mask. DC, reacting to their fans calling shenanigans, brought Brown back. She was Spoiler again.
For a #1, this comic is so tied up in recent (post Silver-Age) Bat-Comics, it feels like what it is: another unnecessary splinter off the Batman franchise that absolutely nobody was asking for (see: Red Robin and Gotham Sirens). Were Stephanie Brown a new character and not tied up with what has to be almost 20 years of Batman history, I would be more enthusiastic (see: Rucka's current take on Batwoman in Detective Comics).
Miller, in the first issue, assumes we've all already been following Brown for two decades. There's no explanation of the all-important origin. The passing of costumes from Cassandra (The Batgirl who made fandom say 'Meh") Cain to Brown is contrived and nonsensical (she walks off, presumably, in her underwear?).
Little details also make no sense. In the first few pages, the all-new Batgirl lands, breaking a guy's knee without warning, after destroying his car, because people are racing for car titles?
Judd Winick's "Batman" shouldn't feel light years more competent than anyone's Batbook, but that's the case here.
Also, DC: Stop it with the blond teen-aged heroines.
Your three-main franchise teen-girl spin-offs will now all appear identical when handled by 50% of your pencillers. Not all teen-aged girls are blond. Many of them aren't even anglo. Just a little something to ponder.
Also, how many people's houses is a wheelchair-bound Barbara Gordon really going to break into? There's got to be somebody tracking this.
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