Now one can hardly expect a MMO to live on forever, it’s a business and it’s a business that has an inevitable shirnk cycle… some day even WoW will die.  But it’s still very upsetting in it’s own way… I only hope some decent private servers spring up after the game is taken down.

I plan on commemorating CoH in my own way over the next few months, but for now take a look at this awesome tribute from the “Save CoH protest” that’s even as we speak being held in Paragon’s Atlas Park.

A Variant Cover for Justice League #12 showing Superman and Wonder Woman embracing in the air, Wodner Woman’s Lasso circling them about the page several times and tired around Superman. Wonder Woman’s left leg is raised up.

I am behind on reading several of the comics in my pull-list, one of those is Justice League so it was news to me when I discovered via twitter and Newsarama this morning that Superman and Wonder Woman are now an official in universe item. Now I personally like the way their relationship was handled in the excellent graphic novel, Kingdom Come, and given the fact that both characters are essentially immortal, Superman only so in the more modern versions, I could see the characters ending up as an item somewhere down the line.

A comic panel from Frank Miller’s Dark Knight Strikes back, showing Wonder Woman kissing Superman
The text reads: Where is the man who stole my Amazon Heart? Where is the hero who threw me to the ground and took me as his rightful price?Where is the god whose passion shattered a mountaintop? Where is that man? Where is that Superman?

This paring can also have extremely negative implications when handled poorly, such is the case in Frank Miller’s Dark Knight Returns Universe where the implications are the relationship is born of rape an has shades of the trope “Every Amazon Wants Hercules.” That trope posits that a strong woman must always desire a strong man who can dominate her, especially if she is previously shown to be misanderist in some way (A quick note: Wonder Woman properly written is not misanderist; Wonder Woman written by Frank Miller is).

Regardless of how it’s used to good or poor effect in various Elseworlds and Future stories; I firmly believe it’s the wrong move for the present day main continuity. Having either character in a relationship with a super on their own power level creates a need for them to frequent each other’s solo books, and particularly in the case of Superman guest starring in Wonder Woman I feel he would draw thunder away from the Amazon princess. The only plus side I can see to this is since Superman is weak against the kind of enemies Wonder Woman usually fights, supernatural or magical enemies, she would likely not be playing the damsel in her own book which would be disastrous.

Of course I have major qualms with the way both of these characters have been treated in the reboot, particularly in the changing of Wonder Woman’s origin story… but this is the move that has by far made me cringe the most over the last year worth of rebooted comics. I’ve managed to enjoy Wonder Woman’s book in spite of it’s flaws and several other of the DC books as well but it does seem like the top brass keep making one poor choice after another.

Ozaline takes a look at Red Hood and the Outlaws #01, Green Lantern Crops #01, Supergirl #01, Catwoman #01, Birds of Prey #01, Batman #01, Nightwing #01, Legion of Superheroes #01, DC Universe Presents #01, Captain Atom #01, Blue Beetle #01, Wonder Woman #01, Avengers #17, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #02, and Fables #109.

This week Ozaline looks at:Green Lantern #1, Red Lanterns #1, Frankenstein – Agent of SHADE #1, Batwoman #1, Legion Lost #1, Batman and Robin #1, Deathstroke #1, Demon Knights #1, Mister Terrific #1, Suicide Squad #1, Superboy #1, Grifter #1, Resurrection Man #1, A Princess of Mars #1, All New Spider-man #1, GI Joe A Real American Hero #170, Cobra #5.

Here’s a still from the video.

The following video contains reviews for all the new DC comics, including last week’s Justice League #1 as well as Cobra #4 from IDW and Ozma of Oz from Marvel.

And no I didn’t watch Linkara’s review vid before putting this one out.

It will be up tomorrow evening at the latest… It’s not perfect yet but we’re getting there.

Full video reviews Linkara style by November.

So look for 52-Pickup tomorrow evening.

A purple skinned, red haired woman in a Green Lantern uniform crouches in front of a lavish looking bed. In her hands is a rope weapon made of green Energy; this is Laira, the most compelling of the characters in the new Emerald Knight's feature.

Tonight I was treated to an advance screening of the new DCAU (That’s DC Animated Universe) film Green Lantern: Emerald Knights. This film serves as a bridge between the comic books and the upcoming live action film for new fans giving as a look at the corps and some of the characters who make it up.

The film is a series of short stories told to new Green Lantern Corps recruit Arisia while a much larger threat is looming. Tales of The first lantern, Kilowog, Laira, Mogo, and Abin-sur, are told in turn interspaced with scenes connected to the “present day” threat of the return of Krona.

As soon as the film started I was sceptical. It begins with the death of a female Green Lantern corps member, which serves to set up the initial conflict. I must admit I scoffed when the Guardians talked about how she was a celebrated member of the corps who would be remembered, when truth was she was simply a plot device, and this apparent fridging right off the bat put me in a bad mindset, but the story did surprise me with the direction it took and the stories that they told.

The most compelling of the stories, which for the most part were taken straight from comic book stories, was that of Laira who on her first solo mission had to return to her home planet which had become hostile on her fathers rule. It’s by far the most personal tale as Laira has to confront a brother who is a sadist and who used to bully her, and worse she has to confront her father who was her idol and whose approval she obviously cared for above all else. During their fight dozens of holographic photos are activated showing them in touching family scenes.

The other stories are interesting in their own way: Mogo’s is just hilarious, especially if you know what’s coming ahead of time, Abin-sur’s is a mix of hopeful and tragic, all decent stories but Laira’s is the one that connected with me.

It’s also interesting that Hal Jordan isn’t the POV character, he’s telling the stories, but it’s Arisia for whom those stories are told, Arisia who is learning what it means to be a Lantern along with the audience, and in the end it’s Arisia who proves to be the hero of the hour. She comes up with the plan that defeats Krona by taking lessons from each story to heart.

The movie is a Bechdel past thanks to Laira’s story, and while some of the female members of the Green Lantern corps are sexualized to lesser or greater degrees it also has some interesting female aliens who are not designed as sex objects, like this one in the story of the first Green Lantern who is basically a jelly wafer with limbs.

Not a perfect film but one I was pleasantly surprised with.

Bechdel Test: Pass
Out of the Fridge Score 3/5
4/5 Stars

A reboot on this scale hasn’t been attempted since the Crisis on Infinite Earths, and I do not think it’s neccesary.

Of course the part of this I find hilarious is the statement that DC is, “revamping characters such as Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and others from its 76-year history for a more modern and diverse 21st century.”

It’s revamping for a more diverse 21st century but we’re going back to an all white, one woman, JLA from the multi-ethnic multi-woman JLA of more recent incarnations?

Does that make sense?

More on this story as it breaks.

A Screen Cap of the USA Today Article showing the new Justice League, with redesigned members Aquaman, Wonder Woman, Superman and Green Lantern... this is a new more diverse take on JLA they say so why is everyone white with a smuffette.

Sif as she appears in the comics, a winged headband, red and white "Xena" like outfit with armored leggings and arm bands and a red and white fur cape.

A promotional image for Christopher Nolan's film The Dark Knight showing the principal male characters Joker, Batman and Harvey Dent. This film lacks any women of substance and is the most celebrated superhero movie of our time.

Comic book movies tend to be sausage-fests. This is a shame because there is a plethora of great women who can be drawn from comic lore into most of these stories and hold their own. The Christopher Nolan Batman films for example have only featured one woman thus far, Rachel who serves as muse and love interest to Batman and while the next film will feature Catwoman this is only because Bruce needs a love interest after Rachel’s fridge-death last movie. Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn, Talia Al Ghul, and many others would make logical character choices for the franchise but where are they?

Suffice to say I didn’t have much hope that Marvel’s Thor film would score high in this regard either, but I was presently surprised with what I saw, with a couple caveats.

A promotional poster for Thorwith the caption "the woman of science" stamped over Portman's face in Grey Scale

First of all the movie is a Bechdel pass, though just barely. Jane Foster, who in this version has been upgraded from a nurse to an astrophysicist has some non-guy science discussions with her student-aid Darcy, mostly in the first and second act of the film. Jane Foster is also portrayed as a competent woman who doesn’t loose her head under fire; when a small New Mexico town is under attack by the giant Asgardian Robot called “The Destroyer” and Thor tells her to evacuate she instead stays and helps with the evacuation of the town. Portman also focused on giving Foster a somewhat more genuine research scientist personality having her be a bit frazzled and seeing things in abstraction.

Thor in the movie showing off his naked pectorial muscles - this movie may sexualize it's male lead more then it's women.

While Jane is the love interest she’s never really sexualized in fact Thor being over a thousand years old is very old school and goes for a kiss on the hand and it’s Jane who takes it to the next level and plants one on his lips right before the climax showing sexual agency on her part. In fact the story swings this around the other way and has the Darcy objectify Thor, with comments like, “does he need CPR? Cause I totally know CPR,” and “For a crazy, homeless guy he’s pretty good,” while staring at Thor’s exposed chest.

Jaimie Alexander in the role of Sif a dark haired woman in armor looking very pleased with herself and confident before a fight.

The other female characters are all active participants in shaping their own destiny; most notable is the Lady Sif, in mythology and the comics it’s based on Thor’s lover and wife but we don’t see that here, is a competent warrior who earned the respect of her peers to become known as one of Asgard’s fiercest warriors (there is a bit of comedy here as Thor asks one of his companions who found him the greatest battles, and he replies that it was Thor, another who led him to the greatest banquets and feasts and he replies that it was Thor and to Sif who proved everyone wrong when they thought a woman couldn’t become one of their top warriors, and she replies that she did it herself). She never needs rescuing by Thor and handles herself well in both fights she is involved in. She has some emotional range too, showing concern, wit, charm; she’s proud but not “frigid” in some sterotypical way where her being a warrior is her sole defining characteristic.

Rene Ruso in the role of Frigga, Odin's wife, at the side of her husband's bed while he is in a helpless state.

Then there is Frigga the wife of Odin and mother of Thor. We initially see her only by Odin’s side refusing to leave his bed when he’s in the Odinsleep (a comma like state where Odin regenerates his power), and so she seems to be totally defined by her role of wife and mother, this would be regrettable but understandable given the space of time in the film but she is shown to be wise and cunning and capable of taking care of herself. Eventually assassins come to kill Odin in his sleep, often in film you’d expect the wife to throw her body overtop of her husband’s and become a living shield all the while begging for her husband to be spared, until the hero swoops in at the last moment, but here Frigga draws a sword in defence of her husband and fells one of the two assassins, before help arrives.

The movie celebrates a woman’s right to be a soldier and to fight for her loved ones without fetishizing it or valuing it above non-violent careers, Jane contributes to the story without throwing a punch by helping evacuate a town and refusing to flee from danger even when directed by Thor. She is portrayed as a woman in a male dominated career who is bullied around by the government, who take her research for their own purposes ensuring that she’d never get credit for her work the fate all too many real women in the science fields, but refuses to accept it and stands up for herself.

The film does have a couple troubling moments as it pretains to sexsism. Specifically Thor is taunted twice with sexist insults or threats in order to goad him into fighting. In the first instance a Frost Giant calls him a princess, when he attempts to walk away from a fight. The second is more troubling, Loki, the main villain of the film, makes an implied threat of rape against Jane Foster to force Thor to fight him; this is even more troubling given that the trickster god is supposed to be a villain whom we can sympahtize with and are supposed to feel for. These and some instances of abelism (like the aforementioned crazy homeless person bit) are the only problems I have with an otherwise excellent film.

Thor is a man’s story but when placed alongside other movies in the genre like Iron Man 2, in which female characters are either hypersexualized or reduced to panic attacks and damsels in distress, it’s a movie with a much more feminine mind frame and feminist friendly message to young girls. I only hope that Brunhilde Valkyrie gets an apperance if this film gets a direct sequel outside of The Avengers.

Page 21 from the Valkyrie one shot from 2010

Oz/Wonderland Kids #1

Created by: Ben Avery & Casey Heying
With Words By: Ben Avery
Pictures by: Alan Schell
Inks By: Therry Huddleston
Colors by: Yina Goh
Covery by: Alan Schell & Jamie Hood

Oz/Wonderland Kids is yet another Oz/Wonderland Chronicles spin-off. It’s very cute but it’s a bit annoying that they keep throwing out one shoots and delaying the final issue of the actual mini-series.

The basic premise is that while travelling down the Yellow Brick Road a portal to Wonderland is somehow opened, and Toto chases the white Rabbit through it and Dorothy follows trying to get him back, along the way encountering the personalities of Wonderland including Alice. Meanwhile the Wicked Witch of the West forms an alliance with the Queen of Hearts.

The humour is off beat and filled with a lot of puns and silly non-sensical gags, basically the mix between Baum and Carol that it should have (a bit more Baum which is good since it prevents me from going crazy).

The artwork is very cute but oldy Dorothy looks older then her regressed age in the main series, and Alice looks a little bit like Mandy from Billy and Mandy at times, still it fits the tone of the book well.

There’s a bit of potential gendering issues in that Dorothy seems to force her male companions into a tea party which they do not really enjoy. I honestly think despite the fact that two of them don’t drink it’d be very much in character for them to enjoy a tea party, they are all sensitive and cultured individuals. It does even out a bit that Alice want’s to get away from her party too.

The highlight of the book has to be the point where Dorothy bumps into the playing cards painting the roses red and gets the paint spilled over her shoes. The comic exclaims “Red shoes for Dorothy, whoever heard of such a thing?” Which is simply hilarious.

Comic Quality 4/5
Out of the Fridge Score 4/5
Bechdel Test: Pass

Warriors Three #3

Written by: Bill Willingham
PencilerNeil Edwards
Inker: Scott Hanna
Colors: Fabio D'Auria
Letters: VC's Clayton Cowles
Cover Art: Edwards & Oback
Asst. Editor: Charlie Beckerman
Editor: Ralph Macchio
Editor in Chief: Joe Quesada
Publisher Dan Buckley
Executive Producer: Alan Fine

Bill Willingham strikes again in Warriors Three; he’s an author who continually manages to deliver gripping stories and he’s not disappointing here.

Hot in the trail of the escaped Fenris, the Warriors Three come to an aim outpost that has been recently destoryed only to fight Helen an AIM Scientist who has been imbued with the Great Wolf’s strength. After the requisite fight they ally themselves with her and find out that Fenris has gained the ability to change is shape into whatever he consumes and he is own his way to Asgard to destroy it with a powerful bomb created by AIM.

The story of how the AIM agents freed Fenris really makes the wolf seem like an evil version of Bigby Wolf from Willingham’s long running Fables series, both of them have inherited their father’s ability to shapeshift but had no desire to learn it and need to be assisted by outside means to develop the ability after neglecting it for so long. To do this they feed Fenris an AIM “looser” named Jack, could this be a way for Bigby to get non-canon revenge on Jack of the Tales?

The art is great and Helen or Skadhir as she comes to be named by her Asgarian allies is awesome! Seriously I’ve not been this excited for a new female character since the return of the classic versions of Supergirl and Sider-girl She’s smart, she’s strong and she’s actually given a properly muscled physique to match her power. The men accept her as an equal and even tell her that she will be welcomed in Asgard (thanks to her status as a demi-goddess with her DNA melded with Fenris’)

Honestly this is probably my favourite mini-series in a long time.

Comic Quality 5/5
Out of the Fridge Score 5/5
Bechdel Test: Fail

Ozma of Oz #4

Written by: Eric Shanower
Art: Skottie Young
Colors: Jean-Francois Beaulieu
Letters: Jeff Eckleberry
Cover Art: Skottie Young
Asst Editor: Taylor Esposito
Editors: Sana Amanat & Nathan Cosby
Editor in Chief: Joe Quesada
Publisher Dan Buckley
Executive Producer: Alan Fine

Finally, this is the moment in Ozma of Oz that I have been waiting for, finally the debut proper of Princess Ozma. She arrives, and frees Dorothy from Princess Langweirde and starts off the quest to free the Queen of Ev.

Skottie Young’s art is amazing in this issue, I love how emotive Ozma is you really can tell when she’s being whimsical, when she has utter disdain for Princess Langweirde and when she’s troubled. The designs for the new character of the Hungry Tiger is really fun, not at all what I imagined when reading the books, but still great none-the-less.

There’s one change made for the sake of pacing that I absolutely loved, when Ozma first arrives at the door of the princess’ castle she declared “I am the ruler of the Land of Oz, and I’m powerful enough to destroy your whole kingdom, if I so wish.” This line isn’t used in the book to make her grand entrance rather it’s used later to get the Princess of Ev to accede to her demands, the use of it off the bat really gives Ozma a more caviller tone which goes well with how she has been and will continue to be portrayed throughout the story.

This comic is just beyond great.

Comic Quality 5/5
Out of the Fridge Score 5/5
Bechdel Test: Pass