tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2404509015791000032.post6844990984739214339..comments2024-03-04T00:09:50.431-08:00Comments on Rikdad's Comic Thoughts: Doomsday Clock 4Rikdadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14475851964933197612noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2404509015791000032.post-41077317496831136712018-04-13T12:09:28.918-07:002018-04-13T12:09:28.918-07:00Jacob,
Very funny you mention this, because I just...Jacob,<br />Very funny you mention this, because I just re-read the Sword of Superman story. He does indeed gain quasi-infinite power, then gives it up willingly.<br /><br />I'm not researching all the relevant stories again now, but my strong recollection is that there was simply no willingness shown by the various writers to make their philosophical and plot points consistent with one another. A Superman who became half as strong as he was would still have to face serious issues about his capacity for interfering too much with society's natural flow. And yet, a Superman sharing a Multiverse with other beings in his power class (it suffices to mention the Phantom Zone, Ultraman, or Bizarro) should be aghast at the upset balance of power if he lost half his strength. Nobody ever reconciled any of this as far as I know. And we can consider any stories in the Bronze Age where he battles PZers or Bizarro or Solomon Grundy, and all this and more happened many times between 1972 and 1985. I simply see nothing besides stories that let the facts sit where their own logic takes them.<br /><br />I don't recall/know offhand if Superman moved any planets in the Bronze Age, but he constructed, from asteroids, an exact duplicate of Earth in a World's Finest story, and that is tantamount to moving a planet.Rikdadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14475851964933197612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2404509015791000032.post-40437220484922702752018-04-10T14:12:19.574-07:002018-04-10T14:12:19.574-07:00I hope its okay this is off topic. In your past b...I hope its okay this is off topic. In your past blog "Who Took the Super Out of Superman", I commented to ask if there was an in-story reason for Pre-Crisis Superman to be stronger than ever in mid-80s "DC Comics Presents" issues, even though The Quarmer had reduced Superman to 1/3 strength in the early Bronze Age "Kryptonite Nevermore". At the time, you replied that it was likely just the author taking liberties.<br /><br />The point is, a recent update to the Wikipedia page about Superman's powers, states that Superman's original powers were restored in the story "The Sword of Superman" In Superman Annual#10 from 1984. I had heard of that story, that holding the sword gave Superman infinite power, but I assumed that when he let it go he gave up all that power. But the Wikipedia page leads me to believe that it still left him with a power boost to match what he had been missing since "Kryptonite Nevermore". This SORT OF makes sense, because the DC Comics Presents issues 86 and 87 where he battles Blackstarr, and meets Superboy of Earth Prime, were from 1985 (those are significant because he battled Blackstarr in the gravity between 2 black holes and she had the power to blast quasars, and because Superman didn't seem to be 1/3 strength when he met his younger counterpart from Earth Prime).<br /><br />The only problem is some moments printed BEFORE "Sword of Superman" seem to be oddly overpowered. Such as when Spectre had to stop Superman from collapsing all creation by flying too fast in space (first appearance of Mongul), and some other moments. Did Superman TECHNICALLY move any planets in the Bronze Age BEFORE 1984?Dochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00386741684689531690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2404509015791000032.post-22715171722686444422018-04-02T20:53:41.798-07:002018-04-02T20:53:41.798-07:00Jonny, thanks, and no doubt this is a slow-develop...Jonny, thanks, and no doubt this is a slow-developing story. I think that's partly by necessity rather than design – Johns has a lot on his plate, particularly making this story so detailed. But I also suspect design: When an entire reboot of DC needed to be re-rebooted just a few years later, I think Johns might be thinking that it makes sense strategically to draw out the big changes. Even the mystery of Mr. Oz's identity was drawn out painfully slowly (and it's not even definitively over yet, at least not the hows and whys!).Rikdadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14475851964933197612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2404509015791000032.post-2075968644872197482018-04-02T08:47:23.913-07:002018-04-02T08:47:23.913-07:00Excellent analysis! Great issue.
Count me among...Excellent analysis! Great issue. <br />Count me among those who feel this storyline is progressing slowly. I am not complaining too much because it's only issue 4 and I am really enjoying the story so far. However, it's been almost two years since the Rebirth special and I was hoping to be a bit further along by now with some of these plot developments, especially regarding the 3 Jokers. There has been virtually no update on that plot in the 2 years since it's been introduced, even though we have seen appearances by the Joker since then. I hope it's explained, in story, why Batman hasn't addressed this point in so long. The bi-monthly schedule for Doomsday Clock has also contributed to feelings of a slow burn, when every other comic is now bi-weekly. Don't get me wrong, I am greatly enjoying the story, and usually don't mind a slow build, but after almost two years I am ready for some advancement in the mysteries that were laid down in the Rebirth Special.Jonnyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14667412261395222328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2404509015791000032.post-45909524288814759302018-04-02T07:48:06.613-07:002018-04-02T07:48:06.613-07:00As a massive Twin Peaks fan, I would love to read ...As a massive Twin Peaks fan, I would love to read any more analysis you have about the show! For me, the iron is always hot for Twin Peaks! I loved "The Return" so much.Jonnyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14667412261395222328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2404509015791000032.post-41364296780304996172018-04-02T07:46:47.879-07:002018-04-02T07:46:47.879-07:00I totally agree, these are my sentiments as well. ...I totally agree, these are my sentiments as well. I think Rikdad's blogs should be more widely read, and I very much hope writers like Geoff Johns and Grant Morrison get to read the analysis. This blog is second to none.Jonnyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14667412261395222328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2404509015791000032.post-58390370391840468002018-04-02T01:24:34.446-07:002018-04-02T01:24:34.446-07:00Wayne,
That's a good point about the hat. Gary...Wayne,<br />That's a good point about the hat. Gary Frank has posted a drawing of Rorschach wearing the hat, so that is even more apt and timely.<br /><br />I think it surprised all of us that one issue would focus so much on this character, but given that it did, we surely know that the investment was made with future use of him in mind. And, as mentioned, we have clues to some very big things; they just lurked in the background and didn't take the form of that comic book standard: Action.Rikdadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14475851964933197612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2404509015791000032.post-19442575613428527972018-04-02T01:21:51.571-07:002018-04-02T01:21:51.571-07:00Jason, Thanks so much. There are certainly fewer p...Jason, Thanks so much. There are certainly fewer people looking at any one forum now than there were back in the DC Forum days. I would certainly enjoy getting the full interested fanbase showing up. I can say that Google Analytics indicate that the Final Crisis posts reached thousands of visitors, which isn't too bad for a story 9 years old. Your post will certainly prompt further thoughts. Thanks!Rikdadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14475851964933197612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2404509015791000032.post-29015688860290998272018-04-02T01:19:51.176-07:002018-04-02T01:19:51.176-07:00Collin, yes! Absolutely correct. Thanks for the co...Collin, yes! Absolutely correct. Thanks for the correction!<br /><br />I have to say, I thought a lot more about the TP finale, and planned a post. The iron is no longer hot, but I definitely have a few things to say. Thanks for asking, and I'll see if it seems like my vague impressions translate into something concrete.Rikdadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14475851964933197612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2404509015791000032.post-39853967233538028522018-04-01T21:14:53.832-07:002018-04-01T21:14:53.832-07:00Loved this issue as well. And thanks always for yo...Loved this issue as well. And thanks always for your continued write-ups! The photo in the hallway is a picture of Jon and Janey Slater (as opposed to Laurie), correct? <br /><br />Also, in a totally unrelated note, any chance we'll ever get to see more of your thoughts on the Twin Peaks finale?Collin Colsherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16138001849132442156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2404509015791000032.post-56234753087534319662018-04-01T00:50:43.305-07:002018-04-01T00:50:43.305-07:00Hey, Rikdad. Great analysis. I thought the plate a...Hey, Rikdad. Great analysis. I thought the plate and pancakes looked a bit like Rorshach's hat. I'm still trying to figure out how Saturn Girl was first seen in Rebirth having stolen a sandwich and then ending up in Arkham in THE BUTTON.<br /><br />I've thought of the Thunderbolt and the mushroom cloud, as well. Johns is very good at setting up a good story, and I didn't think I'd ever enjoy DC this much. With this issue in particular, which I've heard others to say made the story stall, was much clearer to read the second time around.Wayne Allen Salleehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17199261942617339556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2404509015791000032.post-88732498612166524272018-03-31T23:50:23.504-07:002018-03-31T23:50:23.504-07:00I look forward to your posts so much. Every single...I look forward to your posts so much. Every single one vastly enriches my experience of the storylines you write about. You should really have a column on a popular comics site or something. DC should know about your posts. The writers of the stories you break down so thoroughly should know about your posts because they'd appreciate them on a whole other level. Your Final Crisis posts in particular taught me how to appreciate the depth of the story but all your posts do that. They should be seen by so many more comic book readers.Batman Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02645584438336942925noreply@blogger.com