Oracle: The Cure, Thoughts

I did manage to collect enough pennies and purchase some books. I received my first issue of ORACLE: THE CURE. I am really missing Birds of Prey (BoP). I realize it had lost many steps after the wonderful Gail Simone left to write the Amazonian Princess. I had hoped Tony Bedard would get the job long term, but the end was already in the works I suspect. So how was the first issue of Oracle?

I remember why I like Barbara Gordon. Beside being a beautiful red head, she is a character that was dealt an awful blow, yet in the hands of Chuck Dixon became the awesome coordinator of Agents to deal justice in the DCU. She is both intelligent and she can handle herself in a fight. All while being limited in certain mobility because of the injury from the Joker that took away the use of her legs.

While checking on Blogs I like, the Nerdy Bird (Another lovely Red Head by the way), wrote an outstanding post about Barbara Gordon and the possibility of her being cured. It also was a nice write up on just what Barbara means to many as a character. I can not do that issue justice, so I send you here for her excellent words; Has Boobs Reads Comics.

She did make me pause to think about why I like this character. Sometimes I don't like her. When she becomes Batman with breasts I dislike her. Too many writers want her to become a female version of the obsessive patriarch of the Bat Family. Sometimes it might be interesting, but when she is best I think is when she is thinking of alternative methods and ways to stop the baddies. The chair became an obstacle that she had surpassed. When she is written as doing that on a worldwide level it rocks.

So should she be cured? Should she become Batgirl again? Not really. One factor is that she has outgrown the Batgirl identity. Oracle is well above the young woman that began those many years ago. The walking again is iffy to me. It might be interesting, but what would be gained? More than likely the Calculator's daughter Wendy will be cured. Like the Brianiac virus back when the Huntress had first joined the BoP, it is a Red Herring to stir the fans into frenzy. Take note, at least two Bloggers have written that you know for sure if you are reading this post. I would rather see a new Birds of Prey type book, or bring Oracle back with Misfit and run with the Black Alice sibling story.

Whatever happens, I will probably be following. I like her as a character. I do miss the dynamic between her and Dinah though.

CBG

Hal's Final Ring

When reading Green Lantern Spotlight I saw the poll that was listed asking what the color of Hal's next ring would be? The color of White, which is really not a color if I remember my Home EC Class correctly. It made me take pause. When the Darkest Night descends and since we have the Roy G. Biv color theme, it would seem that White might be of importance.

I seem to remember that in the Light Spectrum and all that gobbledygook of colors that White negates Black. How will the Black Lanterns be defeated? I am beginning to think by one man empowered by one White Ring. That his White Light will wash away the darkness. It has a poetic sense to it.

I am probably just over thinking. It would be an awesome visual though. Hal in a White themed uniform and with the purest of the lights in the night sky. I can see it right now. I am looking forward to this newest stage to the Green Lantern Saga.

CGB

Be Back Soon!

The evil sinus illness had me walloped and disassembled. I am on the mend and just dry coughing. I have seen two Movies, one being that small film called WATCHMAN and the AWESOME animated film of WONDER WOMAN. I hope to write my thoughts of both soon, but it is CHUCK night on TV and if I can gain control of the TV maybe even be able to check out Castle on ABC.

I also made it to the Comic Book Shop and have some Buffy love to give. I am in a rather mellow mood and have discovered Hulu has many of my favorite old and new shows on it so I spend some time watching Hulu and just geeking out on Sci-Fi and Drama goodness. Keep watching this space. I will be up and running again soon.

CBG

A bit better, but still feel bad

I am hoping to be able to do some Blogging soon. I also hope to get to the shop soon as well. I think the WATCHMEN movie will be really good. I wonder if I should reread the Trade before the 6th of March? What do you all think?


CBG

Delayed by Personal Kryptonie

I am dealing with some personal health issues of the moment. Nothing serious, just aggravating and bad feeling. I am glad some of you like the look at Nightwatch. Did you know Black Cat had a connection to that story? It is indirect, but something that was being built that never got used by Marvel. It all revolved around the same pharmaceutical company that Nightwatch was tied to in his story. Read that Limited series last night. I will try and do a look at it next.


CBG

Nightwatch: a 12 issue series overlook

Who is Nightwatch? That is a question many current comic book collectors of a younger age ask when they run across the obscure Marvel character in back issue bins, that is if they even see an issue in back issue bins. Nightwatch is a series that ran for 12 issues and starred an African American character that came from the pages of WEB OF SPIDER-MAN #100. The origin of Nightwatch can be found there in part. The true origin is shrouded in time travel and nannite technology.

The cover here is gold looking but in reality it is a foil cover background that has a silver hue to it. Yes, this book came out back in the days of laser prism holo-foil covers. It also was back when every non-mutant character tied to the X-Men had to have the required Spider-Man appearance and lecture from Spidey as to how to be a hero and that he would be watching. So Peter Parker is one of the hostages at the prison in the opening scenes. The prison will be returned to at a later date. One plus is that this book runs like a TV show in respects to story. It knows it is only running for twelve issues and it tells the story in a way that makes for an exciting read.

Kevin Trench is Nightwatch. He is a man who died as he received his costume and powers. He said goodbye to the love of his life and then is attacked by invisible assailants after a strange energy mass appears before him. He is being battered as another energy mass appears and the Nightwatch costume appears being worn by a man who saves Kevin Trench. That man behind the mask who is fatally wounded is none other than, Kevin Trench. Kevin Trench watches himself die. So right from the start our hero is under a ticking clock to his own death.

It all revolves around the costume. Let us get the obvious out of the way, yes, it resembles SPAWN. Whether by design or accident I do not know. What is clear is that the suit is an advanced nannite construct that uses the body’s adrenaline to enhance strength, speed and healing. The wearer is rendered tired after prolonged use. Kevin Trench spent years after the incident at the airport where he was attacked and watched the plane the love of his life was on explode. She got better, which is my joking way of saying that the layers of mysteries are legion in this title. The cape of the suit is adaptable as is the suit. It literally devours materials from the same research and nannites as it. This enhances the suit and as the series concludes we learn the full measure of the Nightwatch costume’s transformative capabilities.

Venom makes a short appearance and is another of the obligatory character appearances required during that time. Of more interest is the guest appearance of Cardiac. He is an anti-hero from the pages of Spider-Man that focuses on destroying those that deal in corrupt medical dealings. He is another educated African American character from that time period. His beta powered body is connected to the Nightwatch research and he is Kevin Trench’s old roommate. I liked that he was in the mix. He was a character I liked a great deal when he would cross paths with Spider-Man.

In the end we get a fast paced ride that will introduce the final evolution of the Nightwatch suit, Warbringer. The answer as to who that is comes in the final issues and plays a key part in the plot. The story has corporate and governmental cabals all wanting there agendas met. There is a Satellite that is on a collision course with Manhattan. The series has a Time Bomb. It just is a neat story of one man’s curse at gaining incredible abilities and the responsibility he takes upon himself.

Some would say this was a weak series. I would say to each their own. I like the character. I like this series. Maybe it is something you can hunt for and have fun in seeking a long lost title. Let me know if this is something you would like more of and I will dig back into my odd collection. I always love comments.

CBG

Sneak Peek

I mentioned I was planning on discussing a low level character from the past. Well, I have read the series and gathered the cover images. I really hate that I have no scanner right now. I decided to put a book on the Net that I doubt there is really any comprehensive look involving the character. It is one of the 1990's Spider-man tangent characters. He also was an example of an African American hero that as I think about it was never really looked at during the time. There is a great deal of racial diversity in this book. There is also some temporal mechanics at play that makes it an interesting and frustrating book. This is just a sneak peek on what is to come. So take a gander at the series that will be soon adorning the Blog.

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CBG