The Official DC Stupid Question Thread....

[BrianWilly]

So what was Ronnie's sendoff? Is he just dead now?

 

[Anubis]

I thought he was trapped somewhere deep down inside Jason, course, I dropped Firestorm some time before it got canned.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I don't remember it exactly, but I think Ronnie was somehow trapped in the Firestorm matrix when he died. He was able to manifest Firestorm with Jason, but something was wrong and his essence or whatever broke down. So yeah, I think he's basically dead f'realz now.

 

[yenaled]

Jason rules anyhow.

 

[Manic]

What's all this jazz I hear about Kryptonians on Earth? Did someone finally crack open the Kandor bottle?

 

[yenaled]

Yup.

 

[CBG]

It's about damn time.

 

[Kitsune]

Is Tim Drake related to Mortimer Drake?

 

[Kitsune]

Jason rules anyhow.

That's exactly what the editors who kept a failing book on life support for over a year thought.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Well, at least they believed in him.

 

[Lobo]

Since no one responded in the recommendation thread , is Zatanna: Everyday magic worth a read?

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Never read it. Maybe nobody in the recommendation thread read it, either. Granted, if that's the case, you've sort of already got an answer, haven't you?

 

[Hush]

Oh corp, that was being mean without any of the actual being mean portion, you sly devil you!

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I'm clever that way.

 

[Hush]

I can tell, My dumb question today is what did Our Worlds at War accomplish? I just read it and to be honest it was kind of a HUGE stinking mess.

 

[Lobo]

Never read it. Maybe nobody in the recommendation thread read it, either. Granted, if that's the case, you've sort of already got an answer, haven't you?

I suppose so

I read this review yesterday, I think I'll pick it up

ZATANNA: EVERYDAY MAGIC

Recommended (7/10)

Zatanna Everyday Magic

DC Comics/Vertigo imprint
Writer: Paul Dini
Artist: Rick Mays
Colors: Brian Miller
Letters: Comicraft
Editor: Shelly Bond

Price: $5.95 US/$9.95 CAN
If I had to describe Zatanna: Everyday Magic in one word, that word would be: cute. Dini takes the reader on a light, humorous, sexy romp through Zatanna's daily life, which includes not only her stage act but run-ins with other magicians like her soused ex-boyfriend John Constantine or her bitter and dangerous acquaintance Nimue. Those looking for a Vertigo twist or redefinition of the character, or indeed anything more than a sort of fun romp, will be disappointed, but if you're a fan of this character and the fun potential she holds, I expect you'll enjoy the read.

The manga-esque artwork of Rick Mays is the perfect choice to adorn this book. A lot of the doings center on demons, curses, naked men and women and other elements that could have come across as dark and unsavory in the hands of many artists, and ruined the light tone that the book was going for. That wasn't the case here, as Mays has way too much fun with the barely-concealed cheesecake and beefcake in the issue, making it another part of the gag, and the monsters and magic has the same cutesy appeal.

Doing something that has a bit of a sexy edge to it is probably the perfect way to handle Zatanna, who has always had a sort of good-girl cheesecake appeal thanks in no small part to her fishnet stockings and magician's assistant type costume. In addition, bringing a goofy and light touch also seems perfectly appropriate, given that her shtick, backwards talking to cast spells, is more than a little silly in the first place. However, while Dini does keep things light and funny, it's never at the expense of Zatanna as a character, nor is it mocking the DC Universe's potentially silly elements. It's all done with an irreverent sense of appreciation for the whole thing.

There is an undercurrent to Everyday Magic about Zatanna and her relationships, in which we see that she doesn't exactly have the best track record with men. It's a neat bit of characterization, although it falls short of being really revealing or meaty because it's used largely as an excuse for several gags and as a reason to bring in Constantine and his problems. While I enjoyed that plot, and how it pulled a role reversal on the usual "damsel in distress" thing, Constantine did feel deeply out of place in this book. He's got a sardonic sense of humor, but playing the role of funny drunk guy who can't handle himself seems out of character for the guy who has manipulated elementals, devils and angels, not to mention plenty of powerful magicians. It works in term of this issue's plot, but doesn't make any sense in context for those who know the character from other appearances.

I'm honestly not entirely sure why this was a Vertigo book, as it isn't really edgy or adult for the most part. There are cheesecake tendencies and a more mature look at relationships, but it's nothing you couldn't find in a lot of the Wildstorm line (pre "Eye of the Storm" as well as post). Those who are looking for a change of pace from the dreary weight of destiny or dark consequences of magic that defines most of the magic in the Vertigo line, however, might find Everyday Magic to be a breath of fresh air, and fans of Zatanna should definitely pick it up for one of the most fun solo adventures she's had.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I can tell, My dumb question today is what did Our Worlds at War accomplish? I just read it and to be honest it was kind of a HUGE stinking mess.

It accomplished giving us some nifty McGuinness drawings of the heroes fighting Imperiex drones.

 

[Anubis]

Pretty much.

 

[Hush]

So did like the Kents survive? I mean I think they did but how?

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I don't remember.

 

[Anubis]

They were cleaning the pool at the time. They were underwater getting a pine cone outta the drain when the explosion happened.

 

[Lobo]

Does it matter? Pa Kent is dead again anyway

 

[TheCorpulent1]

That's just messed unnnNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!

Spoiler

 

[Anubis]

That may never stop being funny.

 

[yenaled]

I can tell, My dumb question today is what did Our Worlds at War accomplish? I just read it and to be honest it was kind of a HUGE stinking mess.

Obsidian Age