Draft Six is done

[thehefner]

And Draft Six of the Harvey Dent novel is finished. 82,000 words currently. At this point, I reckon it's one or two drafts away from the final one.

Of course, until it's published in some form, I imagine I'll always be picking at it, or coming back with some brilliant new revision here or there. And even then, who knows? Some filmmaker once said, "films are never completed, they are only abandoned," and I think that sentiment may hold true for all forms of story. Perhaps all art in general?

I really should have been working on far more important things, but dash it all, with everyone talking about how much they're loving THE DARK KNIGHT on DVD* right now--which lead to rekindling my rants regarding how they wasted Harvey's whole character, arguing with several others at some poor other person's LJ--and add to that my dissatisfaction in the latest arc of NIGHTWING**... I just had to get back to the novel. To actually do something rather than just be another bitching, powerless fanboy.

God, when I think about how much time and energy and effort I've put into this fictional character I'll never own, this by-product of a faceless, soulless corporation... man, I'd be thoroughly depressed--even ashamed--if I weren't so proud of how it's come together since I started two and a half years ago.

This book's been a damn important part of my life for the past couple years, and I know it'll stay with me long after I've finally put it to rest. It's just thrilling to think that time might be upon me rather soon... give or take actual, far-more-important original work.



*Methinks it's time to finally bite the bullet and get a Blu-Ray player.

**I was actually driven to return to that vile hive of scum and fucktardery known as the DC Comics Message Boards to angrily post my ranting passionate thoughts. Not that the experience was full of wankery like usual, I just learned... well, it's a message board for fans of Dick Grayson, not Harvey Dent. In the end, they'll always side with the guy who has the best ass in the DCU.

Comments

[bitemetechie.livejournal.com]

You know, you don't know me and I don't know you, but damn it, your intense fanboy geekery has just made me smile like an escaped insane asylum patient. It's all kinds of adorable.

(And honestly, when have they not wasted Harvey's whole character? I mean really. I hate to bring it up, in case you've managed to blot it out of your memory, but come on...must we revisit Batman Forever?)

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

As you're the first and so far only person to even respond to this intense fanboy rant, your delight is mine twofold. It's a pleasure to know you.

And god, ain't that the sad truth? When haven't they, indeed? That's why I started this whole mad project, just because I was tired of not seeing all these wonderful aspects explored and developed! You'd think he was only a supporting character or something! ;p

[bitemetechie.livejournal.com]

Huzzah for double the pleasure, double the--...wow. I'm about to quote the Doublemint jingle. God, I feel old.

I know. That uppity Batman and his attention whorish ways, taking the spotlight from the rogues. They act like it's his series or...

Oh, wait. That's right. It is. Damn. Just because his name is on the cover and all.

Sigh.

I suppose B:TAS is one example of the many fascinating facets of Harvey Dent being explored somewhat (even after all these years, my favorite Two-Face story is TAS--when he suffered yet another split in his personality got a third persona in...oh, what episode was it? Great. Now it's going to drive me nuts until I remember.) but I don't think it's ever carried over to the comics for any decent length of time. The one-shots and such that are Harvey/Two-Face centric almost always treat him like a gimmick or a plot device instead of an interesting character. I can only think of one example to the contrary off the top of my head.

Hell, the man doesn't even get love of the character development/exploration variety in the world of fanfiction. That's sad. Not even the fangirls want to play with him...but it's nice to know someone is doing something about it. The best stories are always born out of pure love for the characters involved. [insert incredibly lame, encouraging thumbs up here]

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Right there with you on TAS. That show was the single most formative influence in my love of all things Batman, and especially Harvey. While even at a young age, I didn't care for the explosion over the classic acid origin, and I thought the "bully" thing was softball stuff compared to his Dad... that was absolutely perfect Harvey and Two-Face. The spirit of virtually all of those characters were captured better in that show than they often are in the comics!

Not that the show was without its missteps. Like the Judge. UGH.

You know what I hate about the Judge? If had been Harvey's GOOD side, rather than some bullshit character-ruining third personality, that would have been perfect! Two-Face may be Harvey's worst enemy, so it's only fit that Harvey should be Two-Face's!

What's the one example to the contrary? Because yeah, I'm so goddamn sick of that gimmick/plot device take.

Not even in fanfiction? Shit, I didn't know that. How terribly disappointing, yet not really surprising. I suppose the only Harvey fic we'd see anyway would be TDK Harvey. Sad. Welp, I'm doing my part, so thankya. Hopefully you'll be able to read it! I'd love your thoughts!

[bitemetechie.livejournal.com]

TAS was great because it embraced the very essence of the characters. All the good, none of the crap. Some things may have changed, origin-wise, but what made the rogues gallery so interesting to begin with remained intact. At their core, Batman’s enemies are the personifications of different aspects of the human psyche; for a kid’s show--for any medium, really--they did extremely well in adapting that.

I actually really like the Judge. I think such a twisting of ethics, a bridge between Harvey Dent as he was and Two-Face as he is, is an intriguing concept. The storyline killed the character, sure, but since he wasn’t used in TAS again (and wasn’t that season four? The New Adventures season? That one hardly counts, anyhow. Nobody really likes most of that season; the redesigns alone make the purists twitch) it was a nice capper. The true test of a character is to create them and make them grow outside of their original box. Harv went out with a bang in that respect.

Two-Face: Crime and Punishment, a one-shot which was released around the same time as Batman Forever (along with a companion one-shot for the Riddler--a one-shot I would like to set on fire) is the only Two-Face centric thing that felt right for me. I know there’ve been a few Two-Face storylines, but it was the only one that didn’t make me roll my eyes. If it had been longer and a little bit deeper (I think it only clocked in at forty eight pages--that‘s hardly enough space to dig into the really good stuff) it would’ve been perfect. I likes me some character development…

(Well, that and snarky dialogue. Mmm, snarky dialogue.)

I mean, I didn’t even like Joker’s Asylum: Two-Face, even though the whole point of that series was to try and give the rogues some depth. I thought the story could’ve been stronger. It tried to be clever and ironic in a Rod Serling kind of way but failed.

Then again, I’ve never been that much of a Harvey girl (the urge to make bad puns: it’s overwhelming), so what do I know? He’s not even in my Bat Villain top three; probably because he didn’t get to me first.

You’re spot on about TDK Harvey getting attention but ‘classic’ Harvey getting none (well, that isn't true, but the only fic writers who work with him on a semi-regular basis either suck so much they make me want to stab them or are friends of mine that I can't, in good conscience, stab; damn them). Even then, it’s not because he’s interesting but because oh look at that, Aaron Eckhart is handsome. Gag. Let’s face it, most of the fangirls flock to the pretty, not the depth or, God forbid, the substance. I know my own kind; on the whole, we’re a shallow bunch.

Besides, who wants to write fanfiction that takes...you know...thought? I mean, Jesus, why do something meaningful when you can just get the character laid and call it good? Plot? Good, believable characterization? Smart dialogue? Psht. Yeah, right.

If you ever do stop revising long enough to show that sixth draft off, I'll be absolutely thrilled to read it. I warn you though, you'll probably be rearranging commas in your head until the day you die. Revision. She is a harsh mistress.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Word your summary of TAS.

I dunno, I think the Judge would have been perfect if it hadn't been a whole new personality. Bear in mind that in that episode, we never once see Harvey's good side. It's completely forgotten! Even when the Judge "judges Harvey Dent," it's only Two-Face who responds. I don't see any reason why the Judge couldn't and indeed shouldn't have been Harvey's good side. If that were the case, it'd be perfect.

That said, the only time the Judge ever got mention again was in the animated comics, where Harvey's shrink slipped him a trick coin that would always come up good, so Harvey became a vigilante! Now that, oh my god, that I loved. Have you read that issue? I can dig around and find the scans, it's so great and does just that whole wacky character development thing you mentioned!

hehehe, wanting to set THE RIDDLE FACTORY on fire. God, it's true!

Ah, CRIME AND PUNISHMENT. That was one of my most treasured stories. These days, I'm still not sure how I feel about it, though. Hard to explain, really.

That said, have you read "Eye of the Beholder," from BATMAN ANNUAL # 14? That's still my bible in terms of Harvey, and I still see it as the closest thing we have to a definitive Two-Face origin. The core of my novel is based around that.

Oh, don't sweat not liking JOKER'S ASYLUM: TWO-FACE, that was just a big ol' pile of fail. You're right on.

If you're up for it, uh... welp, feel free to drop me an e-mail at "curse you richards" (all one word) at gee male dot com, and I'll happily send it along!

[bitemetechie.livejournal.com]

We didn't see Harvey in that episode at all? Really? I could've sworn...huh. I must be slipping. Well, it has been five months since I've had a full TAS marathon. Time for a refresher course, methinks. Weekend o’ Batmannery, here I come!

I've only read a handful of the animated comics, sadly (think I own the first six or so in the series, actually), but I know the writing is usually superb. I'd be absolutely beside myself with glee if they released TAS TPBs. That trick coin sounds just genius, but like...I don't know. It sounds like something that was pitched for the 'real' comics continuity and then was discarded by editorial as being too juvenile--

...why do I hear Tom Waits? Great. Roommate has commandeered my CDs again. Right in mid-geek-out, too. How distracting.

--because, you know, that's what makes comics great. Not the stories or the original ideas that slip through the cracks of all the recycled tripe; it's the dark, edgy violence and sex. (I may be holding a grudge against Frank Miller at the moment...please ignore me.) Anyway. If you’re up for digging them up, I would love to see those scans. Thanks for offering!

I'm glad I'm not the only one that would like to see Riddle Factory die a death of flamey doom. I've never been genuinely angry about spending money on a comic until that one. Could they have done the Riddler less justice? I know he's a silly villain and was never considered a force to be reckoned with (until Hush, anyway) but still. I want my four dollars back.

Eye of the Beholder didn't make me want to cry. What are you talking about? Shut up. -cough- That was beautifully written, my God, that one's going on my list of favorite Batman yarns ever. I love the fact that it's not a Two-Face story, but a Harvey story; people seem to forget that Two-Face is only part of the character. There's more to him than just scars and coin flipping. Thanks for sharing it.

I think I was more disappointed with the Joker's Asylum Two-Face one-shot than anything else. I mean, here they do something interesting with Jonathan Crane and something really good with Oswald Cobblepot and then Two-Face gets the short end of the stick. Blah.

I’d be honored to give your Harvey novel a look! You’ve known me all of twenty-four hours and you’re already offering me your magnum opus. The appropriate response is either, “Damn, I’m good” or “Damn, you must be really desperate for feedback”. Either way, new reading material! I count today in the 'win' column.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Hey, is that you in the icon rocking the Catwoman mask from GHOST WORLD?

Yeah, I just watched it again for the first time in years a month ago, and there's no Harvey. Just Two-Face and the Judge. It's *so* close to an awesome story, then screws with the revelation so much that it leaves me a bitter, bitter fanboy. But the comic follow-up made up for it! Here it is, in three parts:

http://community.livejournal.com/scans_daily/842120.html

and, skipping some pages, the rest save for the last page: http://community.livejournal.com/scans_daily/2676661.html

aaaand the very last page can be found in the middle of this: http://community.livejournal.com/scans_daily/123355.html

That's what I'd love to see more of from Harvey in comics, man. TAS' ideas do have that element of juvenilia, but in that way that makes awesome superhero comics, and thankfully they usually have the skill to pull 'em off in a mature fashion. Whereas so much of regular DC and Marvel is about telling immature stories wrapped up in sex and violence and all manner of "edgy" stuff to make it seem mature. Bah.

And yes, I too hold a grudge against Frank Miller. I dislike THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS more and more with each revisiting. That said, BATMAN: YEAR ONE is still one of my all-time favorite comics. There is a moving depth of humanity and compassion amid the grim and grittyness. Mazzuchelli's art helps immeasurably, of course (I also hold their DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN with the same esteem). That and "Eye of the Beholder" are my two biggest influences in the Harvey Dent novel, the ones to which I hold to most fervently.

Between the writing and the art, THE RIDDLE FACTORY hurts my soul. Especially, especially, when you consider that Matt Wagner was almost certainly doing it as a sequel to this gem of a Riddler "origin."

I'm so glad you dug "Eye," as recently one person in the Harvey Dent community--one of the few major outspoken Harvey fans I've found on LJ!--found it unmoving and inferior to THE LONG HALLOWEEN. Which makes Heffie cry.

And I love you, you absolutely got that it's a Harvey story, not a Two-Face story. Exactly! Between that and TAS Harvey, I've since been driven to see more Harvey and instead only getting a bland, gimmicky Two-Face from so many writers.

Well, the writer of JA:T-F is a known hack, so there's that. He also seems to think Harvey is the "perfect distillation of THE DICE MAN," a novel about a guy who bases all decisions of his life on the roll of a die. I read the book after hearing that, and the two are apples and oranges.

Huzzah, then by all means, drop me an e-mail and I'll send it to you! curseyourichards at gee male dot com! (as for appropriate response, I think it's more the former than the latter, as I have another beta or two checking it out already)

[bitemetechie.livejournal.com]

Yes, it is indeed me rocking the Enid look. That's not half so geeky as my oft worn Dick Tracy fedora or the fact I had TAS!Joker green hair to celebrate the release of TDK, though. At least the mask actually served a legitimate purpose; I worked registration and sold t-shirts at an RPG con this past spring and went as a black variant golden age Catwoman ('cause it's bleedin' impossible to find a purple Catwoman mask, I tell you). I talked many fanboys out of their hard earned cash.

Don’t be a bitter, bitter fanboy. The Judge wasn’t perfect, but at least the storyline didn’t outright suck. Take comfort in that. Do you need a hug? How about a cookie? I bake a mean white chocolate macadamia nut…and pie. Good God, my pumpkin pie could heal the most fractured of fanboy souls.

Hmm, that comic is quite sharp. The writing feels a little forced, but since it’s intended for a younger audience, I can forgive the merciless plot pushing in dialogue. I’d actually have liked to see that storyline explored more. TAS did so well with all the villains, I wish it was still being produced in some form. I miss the Timm/Diniverse so desperately.

What comic book writers seem to be forgetting is that people don’t come to comics for the explosions, they come--and stay--for the characters themselves. Too often they neglect the most important part of the story, going for the big, impressive flash-bang-POW! action instead of developing the characters. I have this rule when it comes to writing: if it’s not relevant to the plot or doesn’t further the character’s development: chuck it. That goes doubly for sex and violence. I mean, if you need sex and violence just to punch up a story, you have a shitty story to begin with and all the blood in the world isn’t going to make it better.

My current problem with Miller is a bit more recent than twenty year old graphic novels. I actually had a nightmare the other night that cast him as the villain, with a fanboy entourage and Will Eisner’s skeleton hung up behind him in a cage. I was so excited for a Spirit movie; the first trailer that was just magnificent, visually arresting comic-book-esque sillouhettes made me so happy I squeaked the first time I saw it in a crowded theatre. Then the other trailers were released and I face palmed and groaned, “Oh, Frank.”

I do hate DKR, though. Aside from the fact I have no love for Frank Miller’s artwork, his writing is stale and predictable much of the time.

Don’t get me wrong: when he’s good, he’s very, very good (I know a large community of Catwoman fans who would skin me alive for saying I like the origin he gave her because, oh my God, she got -gasp- depth and -double gasp- motive and -third gasp- became more than a bitchy attitude and a pair of tits), but when he’s bad, he sucks. His main male characters are all cut from the same cloth: stubborn, arrogant and suffering from severe testosterone poisoning:

“Look how very manly I am. I shall beat your face in because I like the crunching sound it makes beneath my boot, you punk, grrr, arg.”

With his original characters, I can deal with that, fine, that‘s his choice and usually it‘s thematically appropriate for the stories he tells (300 is a prime example); but you stuff Batman--Batman, my patron hero since the age of three--in that mold, raping 60+ years of continuity and characterization, I get a wee bit cranky.

I still haven’t finished reading Year One, in all honesty. I bought it, started it, got busy all of the sudden and then when life slowed down enough for me to take a breath, a friend asked to borrow it because it looked interesting. I couldn’t turn down a n00b with a blossoming interest in comic books, I’m contractually obligated to convert as many as I can!

…so she now has most of my Blue Beetle, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and Batman TPBs….and my copy of Watchmen. Sigh.

[bitemetechie.livejournal.com]

(just a tip: never sneeze with your fingers on tab and enter)

What bothered me most about Riddle Factory was the art, though, oh dear GOD, the writing makes me want to stab myself in the eye. Like Edward Nygma would do that? Puh-LEAZE. He might like knowing other people’s secrets, but his whole deal is lording his superior intellect over others, not sharing what he knows. How can you possibly gloat about blackmail material if it’s common knowledge?

That Riddler origin makes me giggle with glee. Anything that brings Gorshin!Riddler into the comics (plus Bookworm--and of course, Egghead!) is aces with me. To think that Wagner’s crap was intended to be remotely related gives me a whole new reason to hate Riddle Factory!

The Long Halloween? Really? LH isn’t even a Two-Face story! Not really. It dances around Harvey; he barely even steps out on the floor. Eye is so much deeper, so much more--if you'll pardon the pun--focused. LH is great and all, but I think of it as more of an ensemble piece.

You know, I would’ve liked to see JA do something with other villains than those they used. A decent Mad Hatter one-shot would’ve been nice. But with my luck, they’d have gone with the ever popular creepy!pedophile!Jervis and I would have died inside.

If you don't get an e-mail from me in the next hour or so, you might want to shoot me one, since yahoo is notorious about eating my outgoing letters. bitemetechie at, you guessed it, yahoo dot com. My, I'm creative about screen names.

…and sweet zombie Jesus, this is the longest reply I’ve ever written to anybody about anything. Maybe we should just start picking out china patterns and have done with it.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Imma respond to both you posts in one here, and while I'm still a bit buzzed. Just so's you know.

Pie is always, always useful. I will happily accept that to assuage my bitter, bitter fanboyness. I mean, I can't promise I won't still be a little bit grumpy, but I'll never turn down pie. Although I should ask, if your pumpkin pie more on the squashy side or the spicy side? Because I favor spicy over squashy. It's how Mom always makes it, loaded with cloves and whatnot.

That TAS style comic, I realized, touched upon one major aspect of Harvey I realized as I was writing, but I won't say anything until you read the book first. And hey, at the very least, we have Dini writing the ARKHAM ASYLUM video game, with Conroy and Hamill doing voices! At least we have that!

Word to what you're saying about "the characters themselves." Character is key to superhero comics, above even plot (which is still important too).

Yeah, I hear that about Miller, I am I no-bullshit bummed the fuck out by how mass audiences will think of his THE SPIRIT before they think of Eisner's. That's nearly unforgivable. At the same time... I cannot stress how personally important and beloved BATMAN: YEAR ONE and DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN are to me. Again, much of that credit goes to the brilliant art by David Mazzuchelli, but that was truly Miller at the very top of his game. I think he needs an editor with the balls to reign him in, to say, "No, that's enough, no more of your bullcrap!" and to hone Miller's talents (they still exist in there somewhere!) out from his bugfuck craziness.

As you bring up the Riddler, if you're so inclined, I recently wrote a whole rant about what an abused character Eddie is, with links to great and not-so-great examples of him over the years. Not to totally give you even *more* to read or anything. ;)

Over the years, I've developed a real grudge against TLH. Maybe I'm just embarrassed by the brown-nosing letter I wrote when I was twelve that was published in issue # 4 (the New Year's one). Maybe it's just me being sick of hearing it called the definitive Two-Face story, or even the definitive Batman story. Maybe it's just how hackneyed and cliched and plot-hole-ridden I find the entire affair. I'd take DKR over LH any day, let me tell you.

By the way, I hate DKR's art too, but I put that blame squarely on Klaus Janson's inks. Around the same time, Miller and his wife/colorist Lynn Varley drew ELEKTRA LIVES AGAIN around the same time, a bizarre Marvel comic which coincidentally featured what I believe to be the greatest artwork of Miller's career. So he has it in him when he really gives a shit. I just wish we'd see that more often.

Also, poor Jervis. I think TAS' Jervis was the best of the lot. I'll take him over creepy pedophile Jervis any day, word to all that.

I've send you the book! Didja get it?

Once I sober up, we can start shopping for the RV in the morning.

[bitemetechie.livejournal.com]

I’ll do my best to ignore any alcohol induced typos. As long as you’re not typing with your face, I’m sure I can make sense of it.

(I can’t promise the same if we wind up continuing with this chattering later tonight; a movie night is slated and I have this bright idea to turn Blade Runner into a drinking game. I predict it will end badly.)

My pie is spicy, of course. What cretin wants squashy pie? To deny a pumpkin the ability to become more is an injustice to vegetables everywhere. And if the pumpkin pie doesn’t cheer you up, there’s a myriad of other baked goods in my repertoire.

Barring food filling the hole in your soul…well, I’m sure we can come up with something.

(I feel like I should leer suggestively for full effect. Curses, foiled by the nature of the internet again!)

Arkham Asylum! I geekgasmed so hard when I saw the trailer. The maniacal cackling that was brought on by Hamill’s infectious laughter was a thing of beauty. I can’t wait for it. I mean, I was excited for Mortal Kombat vs. The DC Universe (have you seen any game footage? The DC fatalities are hilarious), but for pure fangirly glee, Arkham Asylum just about sent me over the edge.

Aside from the huge crate of comic books that my local library had (which I worked through diligently from the ages of eight to thirteen--when I finally started buying my own books) the only collected works they had available was the very first volume of The Spirit Archives and Astro City. AC was technically my first graphic novel, but I remember Spirit more vividly and I remember just how much I really, really loved it. When I heard news of a Spirit movie, I was thrilled but then…Frank.

Oh well. Not much to be done about it now. It’s either deceptively crappy looking and actually awesome, or just plain crappy. Either way, like all comic book movies of the past few years, I’ll be in line for the very first showing...provided I can find somebody to go with me. Damn this being away from home without transportation business.

You’re going to make me dig out my temporary roomie’s copy of Year One, aren’t you? Ungh. I don’t want to go in her room, it’s scary in there...and she locks the door…and me without my bobbypins!

Oh no, not more things to read. Anything but more things to read!! My mind is only built for a certain amount of sentence intake/output per day, you’re trying to kill me!

But seriously: a rant about Eddums? That’s…why do I find that cute? -frown- I will, of course, be reading it and weighing in, because damn, it’s nice to talk Batman with somebody who gets it.

And now I’ll have to reread TLH too (it’s been a year since I read it and if I’m being completely honest, I wasn’t all that invested that time around)…sigh.

Eh, I still don’t like Miller’s artwork. Those Elektra scans don’t suck, I like the movement and composition of the figures, but I’m not doing the flappy “Gimme, gimme!” hands dance. He’s one of a handful of artists that leave me cold. I had to really apply myself to develop any kind of warm fuzzy feeling for Tim Sale’s work; Miller is a lost cause. So sue me, I think his stuff is ugly.

Nobody I know likes the comic book Jervis of recent years. If there’s some focus group being conducted at DC about the character, I don’t know where they’re getting their information. Everyone wants the TAS Hatter, even in fanfic. I developed a real distaste for Gail Simone because of how she portrayed Jervis, even though I know she’s a fabulous writer. There are a few villains with several incarnations where I can see the merit of each version; Jervis isn’t one of them. Go TAS or go home.

I did get it! I'll start reading it later tonight, probably (sci-fi movie marathon can't start until roomie gets home from the office--and by office I mean 'Best Chinese Restaurant in the Universe'-- Christmas party, so I've got time to kill) and drop a line every time I finish a chapter. Maybe we should continue the fannish conversation in e-mail, ‘cause the size of this thread is getting scary.

Excellent idea. We’ll honeymoon on the road and cut a geeky swath from one end of the country to the other. Fair warning: I expect a Batman engagement ring.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Oh dear, which version of BLADE RUNNER, dare I ask? Better be careful: if it's the theatrical version, don't take a shot every time Harrison Ford sounds like he hates delivering that narration, or you'll be dead within fifteen minutes.

Watch out, because I may be drunk again tonight. We're celebrating the birth of my sister-in-law, who, coincidentally, is a fan of squashy pumpkin pie. I know, right? The poor girl. I was forced to endure squashy pumpkin pie while I was on the road, taking my Thanksgiving at a white-trash hick town in Northern California whose residents didn't even use the internet, by and large.

I so wanna play MK VS DC, but man, I especially want the overseas version, which is Rated R! All we get is a pussified PG-13 version, which censors kills such as the Joker's. Bah. I say "bah" a lot, by the way.

By literally all accounts, Miller's SPIRIT is an absolute disaster. We can only pray it flops unseen by most, so Eisner's creation remains ignored by the mainstream rather than tainted.

Yes, brave her room, you need to read YEAR ONE. Do it for David Mazzuchelli's wonderful, wonderful art, not to mention Richmond Lewis' beautiful coloring. Then, if you absolutely must, reread TLH (ooh, and then I can refer to you my three-part Gilda Dent megapost, where I scan and comment on every single Gilda appearance, plus my nitpicky bitchfest about how the final twist of TLH doesn't make a bloody lick of sense!).

Not too many find my intense geekery cute. I am pleased, and hope you continue to enjoy it, because there's always more where that came from!

Word to Jervis. Even Gail Simone... sigh. Ever since my discovery about the TAS soundtrack (see my most recent post), I've spent today with "YOUUUU of ALL PEOPLE... have the GALL to ask me that question?! You ruined my *life!* I was willing to give you *any* life you wanted... just to keep you out of MINE!" stuck in my head on a loop for some reason.

Rock and roll! Respond as you are able (in terms of time and sobriety) and we shall carry on these mad conversations from there on out!

[bitemetechie.livejournal.com]

There are people who still own the theatrical version of Blade Runner? What manner of madness and heinous fuckery is that?

I'm still sober, though I don't think I will be for much longer, so e-mails after this will probably be slightly less coherent. There's a bouncing ball of energy on the other end of the couch who's all excited about the plum wine she just brought home and she just hates drinkin' alone. Also, I was unaware that California had hick towns without internet. You have my sympathy.

(I can do you one better, though: Alabama is where text messages come to die. Somewhere, up in the atmosphere, there are a billion 160 character-length messages floating, lost, caught in some kind of technological spidersilk. If you listen carefully, you can hear the anguished, frustrated screams of the state's entire teenage population. When I finally get home in February, I'll probably set foot in my apartment and my cell phone will explode because of the sudden influx of messages that thought they were doomed to languish in the dead zone.)

I didn't know the US version of MK vs. DC was censored that heavily. I mean, I thought it was silly that they made the finishing moves at the hands of the DC heroes 'Heroic Brutality' instead of the classic 'Fatality', but I figured that was because DC heroes don't kill. How naive I am, how very, very naive.

Well, you never know, The Spirit could have some kind of gem of a--oh, who am I kidding? I'm in denial. It looks like avant garde porn and not even good avant garde porn.

The misdemeanor I'll be committing in the dead of night later on? All your fault. I'll commandeer her copy as stealthily as possible and absorb it ASAP...and yes, her copy of TLH, too, just so you can flail at me about Gilda. You're just so excited to have someone to rant at length at about Batman who'll rant right back, aren't you? See, that is cute.

Did...did you say TAS soundtrack? -goes to look- HOLY HELL MUFFINS! WANT!

You're quoting Perchance to Dream! I love that episode! It's one of the few I specifically remember watching in its first run. Jervis Tetch needs such a hug, the poor guy. Most of Batman's rogues gallery is in need of a hug, actually.

[surrealname.livejournal.com]

Nothing on earth is less surprising than the fact that the 2 of you ended up getting knocked up.

[bitemetechie.livejournal.com]

*eats popcorn*

My favorite part is that the RV scenario actually panned out. It's like this thread is some kind of prophecy...

[swimpenguin.livejournal.com]

It's the black with blue overtones suit-best ass framing suit in all of superhero-dom. Just ask poor Plastic Man.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

I was wondering just why it was that Dick had the best ass in all of superhero-dom. And hey, if Plas so chose, he could make a better ass for himself. He just no wanna.

[swimpenguin.livejournal.com]

Yeah, with that red leotard thing, he's soo not trying hard at all.

[tamburlaine.livejournal.com]

Has porn come to Blu-Ray yet? If not, that Blu-Ray issue is effectively moot.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Really, do we need to be able to see every hair on Ron Jeremy's nutsack? I ask you.

[tamburlaine.livejournal.com]

If it means I get to see every detail on Jenna Haze, then yes. But that's not really the point. The point is BOO BLU-RAY. DOWN WITH THAT SORT OF THING.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Why down with it? The pretty details! Shiny and all that crap!

[tamburlaine.livejournal.com]

I'm feeling very contrary today, that's why.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

So if I said "pie is awesome," would you actually try to find a way to deny it?

Re: your latest post... well, I suppose now I should ask you, "Did you?"

[tamburlaine.livejournal.com]

I just might have. Over my religion professor. OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH NOOOOOO!!

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Wow, that's mega-extra-double-scandalous! I'm impressed.