What's the haps, super-paps? It's your dime; spill it.

[thehefner]

Every so often, the comedy site Something Awful posts something downright brilliant. This is one of those times, and I have the incomparable jellied to thank for bringing this to my attention (not surprising, considering she shares my critical-but-generally-positive-with-reservations opinions toward JUNO.)

From somethingawful.com: The leaked first page of JUNO screenwriter Diablo Cody's new script.

Excellent.



While I haven't bought any action figures for a while, I think that's all set to change with the introduction of DC's new Brian Bolland Batman line! Look at these: every single one is excellent:

"The Killing Joke" Joker (without snazzy hat): I don't know if I prefer Hawaiian Joker with or without his snazzy hat, but either way, it's awesome.

Poison Ivy! This might be the best Pam figure I've ever seen, just because it's m personal favorite take on the character: rather than normal human skin or that Photoshop She-Hulk green, I vastly prefer a pale, vampiric take, perhaps with the slightest hint of green under porcelain skin. Lucy Westerna of the Batman rogues gallery.

Hugo Strange! Dear lord, someone's actually making a Dr. Hugo Strange action figure! He's one of my very favorite Bat-villains, one of the most truly insane in the rogues gallery. I think even folks like the Joker and the Hatter shun his company because he's just too "off."

Two-Face!!! Dear lord, a Brian Bolland Two-Face figure! Where to start? First of all, I don't care for old school Two-Face (loud split suit, bow tie, green scars), but if anyone could make it work, it's Brian Bolland. I've always loved his take on Harvey because he perfectly manages to balance the horrible detail of the scars with the humanity on the good side. Look at the details of this figure! I just hope it lives up to the prototype on display here. And this might be the first-ever Two-Face figure with the coin in mid-flip!

I need to ask, though: what's the deal with artists making Harvey's left hand all scarred up too? He was just hit with acid in the face! Even if he touched the burning side, it wouldn't have gotten all over his hand, unless he rolled it around and... oh, why do I even bother?

Seriously, this is probably the greatest Two-Face action figure ever (Tim Sale's LONG HALLOWEEN figure could have been up there, but the suit looks hilariously baggy, and Harvey looks like a melting Tommy Lee Jones. And that's just on his good side.)

Looks like I'm gonna need more shelf space.

Comments

[eliyes.livejournal.com]

I think the coin-flip detail is my favourite part of the figure. It really is very sharp. :3

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Aye! I greatly look forward to seeing how the regular for-sale figure will hold up by comparison. There are always differences from the promotional photo versions.

[eliyes.livejournal.com]

That's true. :/ I hope they keep it.

...aaaaand I just noticed you have an awesome icon there.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

And thank you! I love McKean's art, especially in ARKHAM ASYLUM, though it's apparently not for all tastes. The moment with the coin is (understandably) my favorite in the whole story.

[eliyes.livejournal.com]

No, it's not for all tastes. Some of what I've seen looked neat-o, and some... meh. *shrug* But my tastes and ability to pay attention to things haven't been terribly up to par for my own standards of late.

[icewolf010.livejournal.com]

what's the deal with artists making Harvey's left hand all scarred up too

Every been hit in the face with anything? Most of us have been at one point or another. What's your first instinct? That's right, to shield your face with your hands. Hence people with projectile-born scarring on their faces also tend to have at least some scars on their hands.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I could see the palm being scarred (in fact that the way I write it in my novel, because I totally agree, he would instinctively reach for his face), but it looks like the whole hand got doused.

But hey, you're talking to a guy who wishes more artists wouldn't have the scarring be so perfectly symmetrical, since it's doubtful that the acid would hit exactly along the middle.

This is what I get for trying to apply such thoughts to superhero comics. Superhero comic designs from the 1970's, no less!

[civilbloodshed.livejournal.com]

...Maybe I should finally go see Juno. Or not--someone just told me I reminded them of her. :/

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

It's totally worth seeing. I enjoyed it, but I also hated a good fuckload of it. It felt like the already-talented screenwriter was too insecure in her own talents, and so she wrapped up a solid film in quirky indie hipster tinsel and meaningless snarky dialogue like "What the blog?!"

I do wish she'd just trusted the genuine parts of the film to work on their own, because they totally would have. As such, it's still a fine film, but filled with stuff that makes me want to claw out my own eyeballs (above and beyond how Whedon-y it is).

But go see THERE WILL BE BLOOD first, if you haven't yet. :)

[civilbloodshed.livejournal.com]

I'm not that far behind my movies, I saw TWBB opening weekend, but Juno was not the To-See list. It made the To-Rent list, though.

[jellied.livejournal.com]

Mmmn, I'm still on the fence about that Catwoman figure from Long Halloween. And even moreso, on actually ponying up the cash to purchase it.

Some thoughts on the Brian Bolland line:
1. I think I'm even more frightened by the Joker wearing shorts (than him wearing a nice suit).
2. There is no way that Hugo Strange works out enough to have that sort of body.
3. That's probably the best Two Face figure that I've seen, and say what you will but that is a NICE SUIT.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Tim Sale's Catwoman, just like his Batman, is kind scary-ripped.

I dunno, in the Batman "Prey" story (which someone has kindly posted online recently), Hugo is ripped enough. In fact, in the Devin Grayson storyline "Gotham Knights" story a few years ago, he was back in the Bat-suit and looking muscular enough to pass as Batman. Batman with a beard and a freaky grin, sure, but still.

He's all about genetic perfection after all, so I don't think he's above a bit of self-experimentation. Even with steroids.

Glad you agree about the Two-Face figure! So you dig the suit, eh? I dunno if it'll look good in real life, though; a bit too... god, I hate to say "comic book color," but there you go. They're both kinda "Dumb and Dumber" tux colors, y'know?

But I too still like it, just because it's so classic and old-school. My very first comic was part 3 of "A Lonely Place of Dying," and as such, Aparo's Two-Face is forever burned in my brain as an old favorite. That said, the bow tie is an improvement over the white turtleneck, I think.

More and more, I'm becoming anti-split-suit altogether. As well as anti-symmetry when it comes to the scarring.

[jellied.livejournal.com]

Yeah-- oddly enough for being a such a Catwoman fangirl, the only costume that I've liked of hers is the current utilitarian catsuit with googles. Because it's practical.

Seriously fuck Balent and his goofy ass purple suit with tail (with tail?!), and all the other previous suits. And she actually looks like a normal woman (not crazy ripped or like she has two giant funbags stapled to her chest). But that's a WHOLE 'nother discussion.

I don't know I've seen grown men look really nice in brightly colored tuxes and suits, but this comes from years of watching musicals and eating breakfast at a dinner right across predominantly black churches.

Plus, I've been in this weird headspace where I predominantly dress in a lot of black and white but I like my male friends to be brightly attired like robins or something.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Motto I'm in total agreement. Cooke's costume really is the best. It's practical but sexy and perfect to the spirit of the character.

And yes, fuck Balent. It can't be said enough.

Well, if we're talking split suits, what about the simple black/white animated series suit for Harv? Speaking personally, I think we're at a point where the loud suits take away from the tragedy of the character. More and more, I'd like to see him as the only major member of the rogues gallery to not wear a costume, just a smart suit.

[jellied.livejournal.com]

Actually, that's not a bad idea if we're rebooting Harvey's look.

Sometimes I really wish all of the artists and writers would scale some of the designs and costumes back a bit. I don't think Gotham City should have bright, flamboyant costumes (Joker and Harley aside). That's more Metropolis.

That being said-- I think you can get a lot of mileage out of that. Harvey's suit, Selina's "newish" catsuit, and the Paul Pope Batman 100 suit. Ok, so I just like Paul Pope, and the current Batsuit really has nothing to be improved upon.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

I think Greg Rucka put that idea in my mind when we geeked out over the character some time ago. I did it that way in my book, for what it's worth. Fingers crossed that it'll get published and reboot the look. I have a feeling that the film version won't be in a costume of sorts either.

Yeah, I agree on those Bat-villain costumes. We're at a point with the world and the characters were we don't need bright, flamboyant costumes. (Although I will always argue for the Riddler's question mark suit and bowler derby combo as the classic, ultimate version).

But what are your thoughts on Joker in the black tux? Ever since Alex Ross did that, it's kinda grown on me. Joker in black and white, Harley in the red and black. But considering what we did for Halloween a couple years ago, I would be fond of that...

All that said, hey, it all depends on the stories. There'll always be a place for crazy costumes and fights on giant typewriters, that's my philosophy.

[jellied.livejournal.com]

Well-- I think there are a few villains that need the outlandish costumes. Nigma's one of them.

I like him in purple. What can I say? I'm a traditionalist in that sense.

Sorry, I keep getting distracted by the Bare Escentuals DVD that I'm watching. This like a cult. A giant makeup cult.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but not so much with the spandex.

Aye, the purple will always be the Joker. I think I'm in agreement. But he can spice up his wardrobe every now and again.

It's all good. I too have been distracted (in my case, by a household that refuses to give me peace and quiet, another reason I'm quitting so I can drive to our country house and be a writing/reading hermit for a week at a time), but Bare who in the what now?

[jellied.livejournal.com]

Bare Escentuals. It's mineral makeup that I was talked into the last time I was in Sephora. I've been looking for a replacement for the drugstore cheapo foundation that I was using. And supposedly, it's supposed to be "better" for your skin by being noncomedogenic. And will supposedly clear up my complexion (a comicbook nerd with acne? who knew?)So far it's been me watching 20 minutes of new age hippy bullshit--

OK, that was a girl moment, wasn't it?

You have a country house? What up Mr. Moneybags?

And point, on his wardrobe. But I imagine it must be difficult trying to match green hair and a chalky white complexion.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

hehehe, you, having a girl moment? I'm disturbed.

And ha! "Country house" was just short-hand for my stepfather's farm. Well, it hasn't been a farm for years. It's more of an arboretum. He's a tree-freak. It's an hour away (secluded in the mountains near Camp David), and he commutes between there and here every other day. So in essence, it could serve as a nice retreat for a short creative hermitage.

More so than a beach house, three hours away in Rehoboth, like my Mom keeps pushing for. She's so desperate to have a beach house, and keepings saying, "But it'd be perfect to get away!" No, mother. No damn beach house.

Yeah, I'm not sure what his other options are. I rather like(d) the Jokester from COUNTDOWN (one of the only things I really like in COUNTDOWN), but the green suit? Not working for him.

*needs more girly icons*

[kosher-jenny.livejournal.com]

I must pseudo-interrupt this conversation to sing the praises of the Bare Escentuals! I tried it and loved it, it's the first foundation/powder I've used that I've stuck with for any length of time. It evens out my skin tone without being heavy or making me feel gross/itchy.

But I have to say that after about three months of use (albeit not daily) I can say it's done bupkis as far as improving my complexion. I think the supposed skin effects are more towards people who have switched to BE after using heavier, pore-clogging stuff, since the friend who introduced me to the stuff swears that her skin has improved since becoming a user. But if you're like me, and have rarely used all-over makeup in the past, I doubt you'll see much of change. It's still a good foundation though.

So did you get one of kits then? I've bought the individual foundation after getting an in-store makeover (not at Sephora, but a similar place), so I haven't seen any of the propaganda beyond the TV commercials. I admit, I'm a little curious.

[kosher-jenny.livejournal.com]

Speaking of Two-Face figures... Link goes to a post showing a (somewhat blurry) photo of the Dark Knight Eckhart Two-Face figure. CLICK AT OWN SPOILERY RISK

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Heh, I already accidentally saw it when it was posted on the news ticker next to Peter David's blog. That's it, I hope they don't show ANY MORE PICTURES OF TWO-FACE AT ALL SO PEOPLE WON'T SEE IT UNTIL THEY SEE THE MOVIE. Because if they do, oh god, I don't know if I'll be able to resist spoiling myself (assuming once again, it's not already spoiled by my damn movie sites)!

But I'm greatly encouraged, I tell you whut. :)

[kosher-jenny.livejournal.com]

I'm with you, buddy! I read one more casting-spoiler today (one which made me very happy too!) but that's my last! I probably don't visit as many movie sites as you, so I think I'll be good.

/famous last words

Mind you, I guess spoilers via action figure are to be expected, even if the look of Two-Face is kept in the dark until the premiere. Considering that the big twist of Begins was spoiled when Ducard action figures labeling the character as Ra's al Ghul were released before the film came out (although I somehow managed to avoid being spoiled that time).

Although, looking at the action figure, and assuming the coloring of the scarring is close to what we'll see on the screen, I am a little surprised, since it was closer to comic depictions than what I was expecting.

That's it!!

[marred82.livejournal.com]

Sir, you are hereby barred from mentioning Juno in any way! No talking about the movie. No talking about the Roman goddess, nor slaughtering livestock at the Matronalia.(look it up) No looking at the asteroid Juno 3! No listening the band Juno, listening to a band on the label Juno, nor watching the musical Juno! You cannot use Juno on your computer, and you must never ever go to the Canadian music awards. You cannot travel to Alaska, for the capital may bring back discussion of the movie, nor watch the hockey player Joe Juneau. You must hibernate during June.

Failure to follow these rules with result in a serious titty twister. YOUR NURPLE WILL BE PURPLE!

..........let's make babies.

Re: That's it!!

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Fuck you. Have a cupcake.