First it was Damien, and now Catwoman; I'm starting to think DC hates Batman as much as Marvel hates Spiderman. Could this be happening because Ann Nocenti is doing a boring run on the solo book? Ahh, who cares anymore? When I grew up with comics under the Comics Code, most were fairly interesting and even sophisticated without being overly explicit. Do readers today need sadistic violence to be entertained? What happened to FUN comics? I tell you that it's scenes like this that make me sometimes miss the old comics code. Who actually likes this kind of Geoff Johns shock violence? IS this for kids?
On the other point, does DC think this is what sells comics? I'm fed up with "deaths" in comics because they're so prevalent and ultimately irrelevant. Perhaps Dan Slott will change that trend, but regardless, there's been an overwhelming number of deaths in comics ever since Superman was "killed" and everyone went crazy over it. But starting with hyper-violent deaths such as Supergirl's face being smushed by Doomsday, it's steadily gone over the top and there's been a marked rise in the body count over the last 20 years.
I still kind of like the idea of a hero actually saving lives and preventing death. Of course, in a world with superpowers and magic, time travel, cloning, alternate universes, and gods everywhere, most readers know that death is not permanent. How realistic is that? All this is to say that I've dropped Justice League of America. Thanks for reading my rant...
Comments
Now, as to the violence I think its just the sign of the times in general. Those creative ways of yesteryear probably would seem boring today.
Case in point, people rave about Connery's Bond. Truth is, Dr No & FRWL seem extremely long and boring. Since Goldfinger, the level of action & sexual aspects have increased over the years. If Dr No was released today, would the franchise last another 50 years?
Now there is a line of how much & to what extent violence works. The first 3 (arguably 4) Saw movies were great. BUT with each sequel, the gore overtook an interesting story. By the final SAW, it was less thriller/horror & more cartoonish.
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While it looks grim for Catwoman, the whole seeing a visible headshot through her brain and all not withstanding, I am well aware however that any of the following may be the case:
1) It may not be Catwoman. It could be someone different in the costume.
2) It could be the shapeshifter Martian Manhunter, impersonating Catwoman. And he will live.
3) It could be one of this Catwoman’s nine lives and she’s going to regenerate.
However, if you still want to read superhero comics, you could always try to look at it a different way. If you look at it as a soap opera, things probably wouldn't seem that bad.
And as a side note, I really enjoyed Catwoman until Judd went off the book. I stopped shortly after because those stories and the character were weak.
And you know what? I dislike the current incarnation of Catwoman so much compared to the earlier runs, that I don't even care if it turns out that she's really dead. It's a 'meh' event where I'm concerned.
SPOILER ALERT!
SPOILER ALERT!
Oh nevermind...
Dr. No, on the other hand, doesn’t even make my top 10. If the series had been launched with that film today, then no, the franchise would have died. However, if FRWL had launched the series today—and had it been filmed with the same script and same editing but with today’s technology—I think the franchise would do just fine. A good story is a good story.
7 Tomorrow Never Dies
6. Gold Finger
5. Casino Royale (Craig version)
4. From Russia with Love
3 You Only Live Twice
2. Live and Let Die (my guilty pleasure)
1. The spy who loved me
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The Man of Steel thread is a great example of differences of options that lead to great conversations.
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Maybe it's the generalization of 'today's audiences'? Cuz that's some downright quick to condemn excuse making right there. :)
1 - On Her Majesty's Secret Service - That's right, bitches. George Lazenby did *the* best Bond movie. Take it to the bank!
2 - The Spy Who Loved Me - Best action sequence at the end. Anyone doubting Moore's ability to not rely on comedy and schtick can be proven wrong.
3 - Casino Royale - Daniel Craig saved us from that last Brosnan trainwreck!
4 - Goldeneye - that said, loved Bros in this one.
5 - Goldfinger - takes place in Kentucky, my home state.
6 - Live and Let Die - Another case of Moore being a badass.
7 - Dr. No - because fuckin' Ursula Andress in that bikini. No other reason. Don't need one. :)
And because the later Moore films were so bad, it's easy to forget how much fun the early ones were.
I'm one of those pro-Dalton folks, though. Both of his would be in my top seven.