X Men: First Class. Why the Hate?

(Class is in Session).

Now here's a movie that's been receiving nothing but negative buzz. I understand where these fans are coming from, they are outraged at the premise, and fail to understand that this is not the "First Class" from the comics, but from the movie canon. I can relate to the disappointment of not seeing the original 5 (Cyclops, Jean, Beast, Iceman and Angel) kicking mutant ass while dealing with their teenage feelings and hormones. But people are hiding behind the excuse that "It's not what I wanted, so i hate it" or "The last 2 movies sucked, so this one will too because it's made by FOX". Let me just say this, yes, FOX has screwed the pooch more than many of us can bare, but don't shut your eyes to the other 2 factors at play here, Matthew Vaughn and Bryan Singer.

(Professor X and Magneto playing chess under Vaughn and Singer's Direction...a good sign).

Now say what you will about X-3 and Wolverine. The former was dropped by Vaughn altogether after barely 2 weeks, and then Ratner came in to fill the void with little understanding of the franchise. And as for Wolverine...Baraka-Pool says it all. But no self respecting Comic Book fan can say the first 2 sucked, and don't give me the old "Those are not the costumes" bullshit. I think we can agree that a group of dudes in super tight rainbow spandex, wasn't gonna start the comic book movie era. So after two failures (for that's what they are), we finally get, not just the visionary who brought the X Men movies to life, but the genius behind Kick Ass to boot...and people are complaining?

(Shall we have some tea before we go conquer the world my dear?)

I just...what is it about what we know so far, that people hate so much? The fact that Micheal Fassbender and James McAvoy, 2 of the most talented rising actors in Hollywood are in the lead as a young Magneto and Professor X? That we will finally see another villain other than Magneto, and it's the entire freaking Hellfire Club, with Kevin Bacon as Sebastian Shaw (talk about great casting). That January Jones will play Emma Frost in the same outfit she had in "Wolverine and The X Men?" Or for that matter, that the X Men will be wearing costumes closer to the comics? Which i know every fan has been wanting since day one.

(My name is Lensherr...Eric Lensherr...and i have a "Kick Ass" helmet).

The story sounds terrific, the classic fall out between the old friends, and set in the backdrop of other historical social movements like Martin Luther King, and the Cuban Missile Crisis, to give context to the birth of the Mutant Revolution. Singer has described it as the first ever, Silver Age Comic Book Movie, with a touch of James Bond to the ahead-of-time technology, and for the international feel and relevance of the characters. If nothing else, this is a fresh and bold new approach to the X Men and Comic Book Movies in general.

(Eat your heart out Patrick Stewart, I get to keep my hair).

The problem I think, is the same as always, and it's that comic book fans hate new approaches at first. They love their status quo as much as they complaining about it. Ideally for them, all comic book movies would be like their comics. Movie one, the X Men team up, and beat Magneto, Movie 2 same but Sinister, Movie 3 same but Apocalypse, and so on. They want the same formula they know to be repeated over and over, rather than let filmmakers interpret the source material and make a film out of it. Ultimately though, good movies will triumph this adversity, as was the case with Chris Nolan's Batman movies. I'm not swearing to God that First Class will be good, I'm just making the argument that there's no reason to hate it before seeing it. Personally, I have a lot of faith in both Singer and Vaughn, and I love the cast they've put together and the premise of the film. So I will go with very high expectation to this film, and I have a gut feeling they will be met.

(They're all staring at Emma Frost's costume...or lack off.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8ccSiH4olo

My Top 5 Comic Book (at the moment)

This is my first official Post, and I've decided to talk about one of the closest goodies to my heart, Comics. Many used to consider them just entertainment for kids (I'm sure many still do), but it has become so much more. It's literature in the graphic from, the narrative of the hero and villains that conform what I consider our modern Mythology, plus a damn fine means for escapism.

OK, enough philosophizing, let's get to the meat of it. Which comics do i read and recommend. Well here are my Top 5. I'll give you a little info for the first 4, but break it better for numero uno.

5) Invincible Iron Man by Matt Fraction:

In result of the recent popularity of the character, Marvel has certainly brought an A Team to revamp our favorite shellhead to his full glory. Fraction and Larroca bring Tony Stark to his roots, breaking down the man beneath the armor, while pushing his technology and intellect to the limits. We see the playboy, the billionaire, the avenger, the loving prick, and the genius sides of Tony (not to mention his run as Shield Director). And it's not just Mr. Stark who develops here, but his supporting cast as well. Pepper Potts finally get justice, becoming a hero in her own right. All in all, Iron Man has never been a better read.

4) The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman:

Now this one caught me by surprise, since I'm not that into zombies, at least not since this new "28 Days Later" fad for sick people versus the classic Romero style undead came about. I like my zombies dead, rotting and getting decapitated by an ax or some other blunt object, and this is exactly what Kirkman offers. The most amazing thing, is how the zombies become a tool for the story rather than a primary menace, as it all focus on this constantly changing group of survivors, desperately trying to outlive the Apocalypse. It's pure human drama at its finest, led by the unwavering moral center that is Rick Grimes, as the group moves from location to location. The survivors keep trying to make a new life for themselves, constantly thwarted not by the zombs, but by their fellow humans. It shows us the dark side of people when faced with the worst conditions, and also their power to survive. This one is a keeper, and it's new TV Series is a worthy one.

3) Chew by John Layman:

Now you don't me yet, but I'm all about quirkiness, and this story has it in spades. Take your typical cool detective story, with a bad ass hero taking down criminal scum. Now picture that bad ass detective as an Asian American (because i just all love some diversity...that's not sarcasm, I really do) with the power to see the entire history of any living thing simply by tasting it...including dead people. This makes him arguably the best detective ever, but it gets better. You probably pictured him in the FBI or CIA, but no, he works for the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), which in this universe is bigger than the freaking NSA , since food regulation is a big issue. Here they make an exaggerated parody of the chicken flu epidemic. So our lead basically chases after food terrorists, and busts illegal chicken trade, which sells more than cocaine here. Ultimately it's all about the unique qualities and quirky details of the characters and story that make this piece one of a kind, boasting gorgeous, witty dialogue and cool humor. Arguably not better than the Walking Dead, but unlike Kirkman, I could read Layman over and over again.

2) Green Lantern by Geoff Johns:

You'll never see a character be revived to popularity and cultural relevance like Hal Jordan was. He went from a forgotten silver age classic, buried along with the rest of the green lanterns corps, into second hottest (some would argue first) property of Dc Comics. Geoff Johns has been called one of the best comic book writers of our generation, and if you read even a single chapter of his Green Lantern saga you'll see why. The most impressive quality of this book is the character control. It's ridiculous how many they are, and even more so how Johns makes you like and care about each one of them. There are no real villains here, just complex character fighting for their own reason (unless you count the Black Lanterns), with cool visuals regardless of the artist, and the cool color them of each corp that we cant help but associate it with the Star Wars light sabers, and love it because of that. This space opera of super heroes has already made its mark on comic book history, and it's far from over. The force is strong in this one, and i hope it will be with the upcoming movie. Don't you fail me Ryan Reynolds, I believe in you!


1) Batman and Robin by Grant Morrison:

Let's just say it. Batman is the ultimate comic book character. Some would say it's Superman, and I will agree that he was the icon once, but in modern times, Batman stands alone. So that's why I'm so glad for Grant Morrison run on the character. His tapestry extends from "Batman and Son," "The Black Glove," "Batman R.I.P," "Batman and Robin," and now finally "Batman Inc." (Which will be starting Nov 17 2010). He explores the Batman mythos to its core, dust off all the silver age silly stories many have discarded, and makes them not only interesting again, but enjoyable as well. Hell, he even makes the Bruce Wayne persona relevant again, exposing part of his connection to Batman, claiming that he has been the one financing him all these years (very a la Tony Stark saying "I'm Iron Man).
Plus, Morrison brings what is currently my favorite character in the franchise, Damian Wayne, the son of Batman. At first, many heated him, as he comes across as the ultimate brat, and people discarded him as just a stunt to sell books. But Damian has become an intricate character to the bat-family, and earned his place as the new Robin. Morrison even makes it clear he plans to have Damian succeed his father in the distant future. On the other hand is Dick Grayson, the first boy wonder, who has now taken the mantle of The Dark Knight. Rather than imitate his mentor, he plays his own version, cracking jokes and smiling (the nerve of the guy!), but it feels right. This is Dick Grayson to the core, and he honors the mantle of the bat where it counts, without compromising his own identity (Jean Paul Valley anyone?).
The dynamic of having Robin be the dark, and Batman the light is fresh, and done right by Morrison. New foes rise to challenge of this new Dynamic Duo (I don't think anyone will be forgetting about Professor Pyg anytime soon), with classic ones right behind them. The art differs from each of the 3 issues arc, with Frank Quietely (All Star Superman), Phillip Tan (Green Lantern-Agent Orange), Cameroon Stewart (Catwoman), Andy Clarke (2000 AD) and Frazer Irving (Necronauts). Only Tan has suffered criticism out of the bunch, and while his art was the least impressive, it was by no means terrible.
From a new age circus gang, to the Joker vs Doctor Hurt, Grant Morrison has brought us one of the finest Batman Books ever written. Truly breathing a fresh air into the franchise. There are many haters out there who say this is wrong, that the status-quo of the Batman stories should remain the same...forever. To them I say, sorry, but it's already different, and I'm glad. Sadly, he has recently finished his run on the series, beautifully I might add. Now the role falls to Paul Cornell (Action Comics, Knight and Squire), as he'll be taking over. He has big shoes to fill in, and I wish him the best of luck!