Just in case you have NO idea who this "Harvey Dent" guy I rant about all the time... uh... is

[thehefner]

Today's issue of COUNTDOWN features a two-page origin of Two-Face, beautifully illustrated by Mark Chiarello (the guy who painted this icon, which is one of my favorite images of Harvey ever!).








Nah, seriously though, that's a pretty great quick-and-dirty summary of Harvey, all things considered. I mean, I wish it wouldn't sound like he's default evil, "forced" to do good when the coin comes up clean, but otherwise, I approve.

Hey bloo_mountain, did you check that out? I think Mark Chiarello might be another serious contender for the Harvey Dent novel. Y'know, just talking about dream fantasy artists. Number one, of course, is brining David Mazzucchelli out of semi-retirement. But you'd probably have to see more of Chiarello's painted work to see what I have in mind. The guy could very, very easily work with blacks, whites, grays, and reds. Like I said, look at that icon.

Also, what do you think about that idea that his childhood schizophrenia manifested as his obsession with the number two? I should explore that a bit as well; the little collage Harvey has there as a child is rather interesting.

Of course, this opens up a whole new mess when it comes to actually diagnosing what Harvey's mental disorder as an adult is. I think it'd make perfect sense for him to be schizophrenic as a child, but by the time Two-Face rolls around, he's something else entirely. And I don't think it's quite Dissociative Identity Disorder either, not exactly.

Maybe I should just stay away from that bees' nest entirely, and just write it as I feel it. Still, that childhood schizophrenia bears consideration. If only because I'm still not entirely certain what his obsession with the number two is otherwise.

In complete other news, I'm now obsessed with the song "Umbrella," and the fifteen bazillion covers of it out there. How the hell does a song accrue so many covers when it's just a bloody year old?! Clearly, it's an evil viral song.

Comments

[mirthical.livejournal.com]

I think I might talk to Steen before I discuss with you the childhood schizophrenia business. I'm starting to get the feeling that schizophrenia would not be something Harvey (child or adult) would be able to hide.

Also, I think you're right that adult Harvey is not schizophrenic, which would be odd if he were as a child. I don't think it clears up? I don't really know? Anyhoo, I'll see what she has to say. Seeing as how she's going to get a doctorate thinger in the subject.

I think you could still argue that the obsession with the number has more to do with his insistence that he always has a choice. I've generally felt the "Twins Kidnapped" and "Double Murder" and "2nd National Bank Robbed" business to be a little bit too hokey for such a tragic character.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Yeah, let me know what she thinks. I don't know if one can "grow out of it," or if it can develop into... whatever it developed into. Because I'm not certain what Harvey ultimately develops is exactly Dissociative Identity Disorder either.

And you might be right about the obsession being with the choice, and his adherence to black-and-white absolutes. Still, those number-two-related crimes are a long-running facet of the character. We have to be careful what we choose to throw away. But then, I'm the one who wants to totally do away with the bad suits, so there you go.

What did you think of that origin two-pager?

[civilbloodshed.livejournal.com]

1.) Harvey looks like Mark Ruffalo. A lot.

2.) I'm not sure schizophrenia works that way? Childhood or otherwise. It's like, not really possible to hide it for the amount of time Harvey did without really good drugs and therapy. Even then...

3.) Gerard Way singing Umbrella brings me endless amounts of joy. It's just too bad he only does it at shows and I don't have an mp3 rip of the whole song. :(

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

1.) Hmm... I'd need to see more Mark Ruffalo in action to compare. The google image search so far has not yielded convincing results.

2.) Yeah, maybe I should just ignore the schizophrenia outright, retcon that right out. It was a retcon in the first place anyway. But let me see if I can make it work.

3.) Yeah, I'd want a full version. If Mandy bloody Moore can do it... but next, I demand a death metal version.

[civilbloodshed.livejournal.com]

1.) He makes some good movies. I always like him in them.

3.) You can stand under my umbrella...when it's raining blood!

[spacechild.livejournal.com]

Amanda Palmer did a cover of the Umbrella song as well.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

So I understand, and I'd love to hear it. I also hear she doesn't actually like the song, even though she performs it.

[spacechild.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty "meh" about the song, myself.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

As should any sane human being be.

It's become one of those supreme guilty pleasures for me. Although I think I've already burned myself out on it. One of those things, you understand.

[spacechild.livejournal.com]

I dig it.

BTW, did you see my post about Halloween?

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

I did! I'm a-thinkin' about it. Could be grand fun!

By the way, for the five people who'll get the joke, I'll probably be posting the video from HALLOWEEN III, if you know what I'm talking about. The "trigger" video? Just telling you now, as I imagine it'll leave 98% of my f-list scratching their heads in confusion and annoyance.

[spacechild.livejournal.com]

BTW.. I'll be trying to bring your box back tomorrow.. I'm all but done.

Yeah, I'll get the joke ;)