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Monday, September 17, 2018

6 REASONS LOIS LANE SHOULD STAR IN HER OWN SHOW


With the DC Universe service having just launched this weekend and news of Lois Lane being cast in Supergirl (to be played by Elizabeth Tulloch), I thought it would be a good idea to revisit the Metropolis series that was ordered and then put on hold. The show was first described as Lois Lane and Lex Luthor investing bizarre situations on the fringe of science. Or . . . something like that. Whatever that means. ANYWAY! I personally think the show could be interesting and exciting. It just needs to be about Lois Lane. Lex and other Superman supporting characters will have their roles to play of course, but Lois should be the star. Let's dig into why she would be a perfect protagonist.

SECOND FIDDLE TO SUPERMAN

Throughout her lifetime in comics, movies, TV, etc, Lois has always been second fiddle to Superman. There have been plenty of stories about Clark Kent and Superman without Lois as a supporting character but to my knowledge there haven't been many stories about Lois Lane without Superman. A show all about her rise to prominence in the journalism world is unexplored territory. Lois is a strong enough character to hold her own series without needing a lot of winks and nods to Superman or even Clark Kent as a supporting character. She doesn't need Superman to make her an interesting character. All she needs is a passion for finding out the truth and the guts to go after it at all costs. She don't need no man looking out for her! 

SHE WAS ALREADY THE STAR

Metropolis was already going to be about Lois and Lex. Instead, I think the focus should be shifted away from Lex (but not completely, more on that later) and the spotlight given to Lois Lane. Having Lois be the sole star gives the writers and producers more room to give Lois a brand new supporting cast. A rival reporter, a boss, a plucky sidekick, all the tropes that these types of shows always have. Lois and Clark actually did a good job of having all of those things. Metropolis can be like that but without Clark Kent being introduced until maybe the last episode or two. Lois is qualified enough to run a series on her own. She was a reporter long before Clark showed up in Metropolis and had made a name for herself. I think that show would be interesting.

A NEW ANGLE ON THE SUPERMAN STORY

Smallville told the story of Clark Kent growing up, Lois and Clark told the romance between those characters, Krypton is about Kal El's ancestors now I think it's time to tell a story without mention of Kal El, Krypton, or any of those elements. Keeping the story on Earth and human threats would be something we haven't seen in the Superman side of the DC Universe. Granted I still like the idea of Lois investigating the fringe science . . . stuff. But there's plenty of stories to tell with all kinds of weird experiments, other aliens, the multiverse, all that crazy DC stuff without even a mention of Krypton or the survivors. While that may sound like blasphemy, I like the idea of Lois's story being more Earth-bound and then when Superman arrives, that's when the Kryptonian elements come in. There's plenty of story to tell about Lois and the rest of the Daily Planet and the stories they uncover.

FAMILY DRAMA

One type of story that is forever timeless is family drama. Whether it's a supportive family, a dysfunctional family, or somewhere in the middle, everyone can relate to some type of family. Lois's family, father General Sam Lane, mom Ella Lane, and sister Lucy, have been portrayed as either being on the outs with Lois or supportive or somewhere in between. It all depends on what the writers think is the best place to go. Personally, I've always liked the family being supportive but Sam has secrets with his military units. It's another type of story that recent comic book series have done well which is the loving parent or parent-figure with secrets that could hurt the hero. Arrow and The Flash had those going into their first seasons with great success. I think that's the way Metropolis should go with Lois and her father. That type of story will give them a lot of mileage especially in a first season. But there's always a different type of antagonist . . . 

LEX LUTHOR

While I think Metropolis will be just fine without Superman, I don't think it would do so well without Lex Luthor. Not because he's a recognizable face or foe, but because he's always boasted about being the one who built and reshaped Metropolis. It would be interesting if the series showed us Lex's empire growing in Metropolis. Of course, he would come into conflict with Lois and the Daily Planet. Granted, maybe it's too easy to make Lex the antagonist yet again for Metropolis and it's residents but given a certain commander-in-chief's penchant for calling the media "fake news" it's not out of the realm of possibilities for people to fall under Lex's charm and believe whatever he tells them over the facts presented by the journalists at the Daily Planet. Lois is all about discovering the truth no matter what the cost and Lex would do anything to protect his empire. Maybe that would hit close to home, but as I've said before comic books and sci fi always have a way of being topical without beating the audience over the head with morality or politics. 

ROLE MODEL

As I've said, Lois is all about reporting the truth. In today's world with the term "fake news" being shouted at every turn, the truth seems to be relative. It's important that people, especially young women, see that the truth is not relative. Truth is truth. There's no such thing as alternative facts. The truth speaks for itself and the people who are afraid of the truth are probably guilty. Lois Lane has always been a journalist first. Her devotion is to the truth and making sure that the public knows what is real and what is not. She's a role model that our world desperately needs right now. Someone willing to dig for the truth no matter the consequences. For decades she's played second fiddle to Superman but she's a hero without super powers. She's just damn good at her job. But to her it's not just a job, it's her life.


So far, I'm loving DC Universe. It's full of classic and even some contemporary DC content that a fan like me can spend hours and hours gobbling up. I'm most looking forward to the new TV series they have to offer. I'm hoping Metropolis gets off the back burner and becomes something special to inspire us all the way Superman does. Excuse me . . . I mean the way Lois Lane WILL.


Till Next Time!


JJ - the Comic Junkie! 


Saturday, September 15, 2018

8 WAYS TO CELEBRATE BATMAN DAY


Today is DC's annual Batman Day! Your local comic book store and probably a few other geek-ish stores will be having various Bat-related sales and such. Also, www.readdc.com is having a sale on digital Bat-comics for your enjoyment. But what other ways can you celebrate? Well . . . I have a few suggestions . . .

LISTEN TO AND DANCE TO THE BATMAN THEME

You all know it! It's one of the most iconic and well known songs of all time. Even if you've never seen a minute of the original TV series you know how this song goes. NA NA NA NA NA BATMAN! It's perfect and fun to (kind of) dance to. Legend has it that if you say Batman three times in the mirror, Adam West appears and does the Batusi with you. 

FIGHT FOR JUSTICE

I'm not saying put on a costume and fight crime. I mean you can but without years of rigorous training you might get your ass kicked. I mean stand up to a bully, donate to charity, compliment someone, I don't know dude! Do something good in the world! What have you done lately? Probably nothing but complain about how tired you are! Do something good for crying out loud! Batman can't do this alone! 

READ YOUR FAVORITE BAT-COMIC

What if you don't have one? Well, take advantage of DC's sale on their website or get off your butt and visit your local comic book store and find one! I highly recommend a few classics such as Batman: Hush, The Dark Knight Returns, The Court of Owls, The Killing Joke, Death of the Family, or whatever you consider to be your favorite! There's 79 years of comics to choose from. Choose wisely . . . 

WATCH YOUR FAVORITE BAT-MOVIE

I mean if you don't feel like getting off your ass then pick one or two (or more . . . whatever) of your favorite Bat-movies, heat up some popcorn, grab a soda or a beer and sit back and relax! There's the excellent animated films to choose from or the varying degrees of quality live action films. Wanna laugh? Batman and Robin! Wanna cry? Batman: Mask of the Phantasm! Wanna cheer? Batman Begins! Dealer's choice, man! Go for it! 

BUILD WITH SOME BAT-LEGOS

I don't care how old you are - Batman Legos are fun and awesome. Go to your local toy store, not Toys R Us of course (too soon?), and pick up some bad ass legos and have fun! If you think they're too pricey then pull out your Bat credit card and pay it off later! "Never leave the cave without it!" 

WEAR YOUR FAVORITE BAT-SHIRT

This one was obvious right? If you're like me, you have a whole drawer literally overflowing with various Bat-shirts. I've walked into stores wearing a Batman shirt and bought a different Batman shirt. Because I'm a devoted Bat-fan and I'm not ashamed of that! (anymore)

MARATHON YOUR FAVORITE BAT-EPISODES

Batman has been in so many various animated series throughout the decades it's hard to keep track! There's the Adventures of Batman from the 1970s, Batman: the Animated Series, Batman Beyond, The Batman, Beward the Batman, Justice League, Justice League Action, Batman Unlimited, Batman: the Brave and the Bold, Superfriends, I mean the list goes on! It's crazy! Fun fact about me - that aforementioned Adventures of Batman was one I discovered at Blockbuster when I was a kid and watched the hell out of so many times. When the DVDs FINALLY released a few years ago I gobbled those up. It's so much fun to watch. Hopefully, DC Universe will add it to their collection. OH! And speaking of which . . . 

DOWNLOAD DC UNIVERSE

Oh it's so cool! So much of what I mentioned is already on this thing! From classic Batman movies, to the wonderful animated series, to great comic books, this streaming service is so incredible. It's the kind of thing I never knew how much I wanted. And yeah yeah yeah I already own all these things but with so many upcoming new series and more content it's worth it. I'm sure over the next few months we'll see their catalog get bigger and better. But for now, there's plenty to enjoy. And for just $7.99 a month it's a pretty sweet deal! 


Well . . . what are you waiting for? Get out their and enjoy the Bat-Day!



Till Next Time! 


JJ - the Comic Junkie!