Two-Face in comics over the past couple weeks

[thehefner]

Not sure how many people care about or even follow current comics, but I would be remiss in not discussing my thoughts on the recent trio of Two-Face-related happenings in comics over the past couple of weeks.



So I tried to read TWO-FACE YEAR ONE # 2 in the comic store yesterday, but every few pages I just found myself unable to continue. As such, I don't feel entirely qualified to judge this new and rather different take on Harvey's origin, but for now, all I feel is an abiding sense of frustration and dismay. I constantly remind myself just how slim my chances are of getting DC to publish my Harvey Dent novel, but the mere existence of this story (not to mention its success or failure, neither of which would serve me) has whittled the chances down even further, and for what?

I'm still gonna make a serious effort to have the book actually see the light of day, if only to wipe the knowledge of this mediocre book out of readers' minds. If nothing else, the sobering thought that many people would read TFYO and think, "Man, this just makes me want to reread THE LONG HALLOWEEN. Now that is the true definitive Two-Face story!" just serves to drive me all the more.



Much more interesting is what's going on with Harvey over in NIGHTWING (warning: spoilers in those scans!). I have rather mixed feelings about this current storyline (although not for the reasons that some others have been rather outraged by the most recent issue), but I'm gonna try to hold off judgment until the storyline's finished. I doubt Tomasi has something big up his sleeve that would majorly change my opinion positively, but still, I wanna see where he's going with this.

Maybe I'm just forgiving because this depiction of Harvey has two appealing factors amid all the mixed qualities. First, Harvey's not wearing a split-suit, but rather a more smart and stylish suit, albeit one burned in THE DARK KNIGHT style. I'd prefer it to not be burned at all, but hey, it's a start.

Secondly, it actually features Harvey! As in, not simply Two-Face," the evil side being evil and one-note and villainous, but rather a good side struggling with a bad side, and the conflicts that arise from the poor guy's bugfuck craziness. That factor alone keeps me interested to see Peter Tomasi's story all the way through, flaws and all.



But at the end of the day, the comic geekery highlight of the week has to be the fact that they FINALLY released the Brian Bolland designed action figures of Two-Face, Hugo Strange (!!!), Poison Ivy, and the Joker in his breezy short shorts. I rarely ever buy action figures anymore, but damn if this quartet weren't a worthy exception.

It was jarring to see such a great sculpt of Harvey depicted in garish Silver Age green-scarring and an incredibly LOUD BAD SUIT, but I've come to grow rather fond of it ever since I posed the figure on my TV. Maybe I'll buy a second figure to take angrylemur up on her kind offer to repaint the figure with red burn scarring and a smart black pinstripe suit, ala my own Two-Face costume. Because yes, in case you hadn't noticed, I am that much of a geek.

Comments

[spacechild.livejournal.com]

Screw all this, where is the post titled "my date with Danny and Holly"?


The people want the real stories, Hef. Not the comic-related angst!

OK, just kidding.. I really don't care, I'm just fucking around.

But we did have a great time with you kids. Next time you and I just get together and dissect. Its how we roll.

[jellied.livejournal.com]

That's so crazy. I don't remember leaving any of those comments from that old thread.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Why that might well be record time for you responding to one of my entries!

Yes, yes, and they will get it... but not until the story is done! Okay, no way they're getting the whole story, but pictures shall be posted, of course. Oh yes, there shall be pictures.

We had a great time too! Yes, you and I must definitely get together and dissect at least once before I head out!

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Really? Ha, wow. I know I was thinking of your love of the crazy split suit and bow tie when I was first reeling from the garishness. It's really orange on the good side. He could go deer hunting and everything.

[jellied.livejournal.com]

I have no long-term memory, clearly.

[spacechild.livejournal.com]

What can I say? I'm awake, but I've been drinking. I'm trying to entertain myself!

Tell Laura that we quite liked her and hope to see her again!

[kosher-jenny.livejournal.com]

(friggin' LJ eating my comments with their friggin' error messages)

This post reminds me that I totally had some stuff to show related to cool action figures, though you might have seen this already.

So there's this Japanese toy company called Hot Toys who are known for making incredibly detailed and realistic 1/6 scale action figures. They've made some fantastic Iron Man ones that I think are due for release soon. And! They're also doing some Dark Knight ones too: Batman, the Joker (bank robber and regular version) and I thought you might want to take particular notice of this teaser photo the company released last month.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

You've been getting comments eaten by error messages too? What the crap, LJ?

Those figures are sweet! And FINALLY we're getting the Aaron Eckhart Two-Face figures! Dunno if I'm gonna get 'em, though. Only if they're exceptionally awesome.

[kosher-jenny.livejournal.com]

I'm also getting this weird bug where, if I click away to another tab and then come back to my comment, the comment box no longer recognizes any of my keystrokes. Until...it does again. I've had it happen a couple of times now.

More teaser pics have been released! No full-faced photos of the Two-Face head, but from what's shown the Eckhart resemblance looks downright uncanny in parts. He's even got stubble!

I usually avoid buying the more affordable/toy store movie figures and stick to ones based on comic/cartoon art because, as a rule, the likenesses are almost always very poor and don't resemble the actors in the slightest. Although the Toy Biz Lord of the Rings figures were actually pretty good (except for their Aragorn, which I own, and it is unbelievably fugly).

But the Hot Toys figures? DO WANT SO BAD. DC Direct is bringing the TDK ones over to the US, so there's places that already have them up for preorder, and they ain't cheap. But I want them all! ;__; Well, maybe not the Joker, who looks scary real. I'd be worried about waking up in the middle of the night and finding him trying to glue a bomb inside my Kokeshi doll or something. Also super realistic 12 inch Batman + my digital camera = a big wad of hilarious potential.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Wow, based on that shot of the eyes alone, that figure actually looks better than the movie version! Um, I may have to get it after all, assuming the final photos live up to those teasers.