Here is starting to reach 5 'minutes' to midnight. I hope to have everything up and ready to go for the new year so I can just sit back and relax. Right now as it is, I'm fighting a formatting error I made in pixel width on the strip. Soon as I get that fixed it'll be up.
Also as a reminder, on December 29th, the last issue of X-23 for this year will be released. Be sure to pick up your copy as this delicious comic from Marvel seems to be going into overdrive with Marjorie Liu and company. It seems to be going buck wild with Laura's self-discovery road trip. So be sure to pick your copy up, as these upcoming arcs should be quite the treat. At least the 6 page exclusive preview CBR has makes it seem that way.
Showing posts with label Rant. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rant. Show all posts
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Friday, December 10, 2010
Women and Comics
A recent editorial at Lytherus talks about seducing women into comics. It's an interesting piece, and hits many points right on the head. It includes statistics.
I'm a male reader, and I tend to agree with this whole-heartedly. I know that may sound weird, but I grew up differently than most. My whole life has always been surrounded by women. Many have similiar stories, and everyone has their own sob story, but women in the world don't seem to get the credit they deserve for everything they do, or could do. I'm not even going to pretend to know the secrets that are within women's minds, or how they think, but well-written female protagonists can be a draw for more than just women. Sure, sex sells to the average male adolescent, but there comes a time where these boys grow up, and instead of looking for giant bosoms, they are looking for just strong women to read about, or even just that rise to independance a young woman may go through. Especially in a modern world where a woman's self-confidence is being slammed down by everything around them, it's imperitive to show that not only appealing to women readers is a good thing that can help, but something that can benefit a readership on both sides of the gender coin. Comics have always been a form of escapism for boys, so why can't that be true for women as well?
This editorial brings that to light with statistics and sources, and commends Marvel for what they did with Women of Marvel and their other offerings. It's definitely worth a read, as it also asks is this enough.
My personal take on this is that X-23's new on-going is a step in the right direction in the superhero genre itself. Being helmed creatively by Marjorie Liu, it's taken a teenage female character and given her voice a chance to grow and breathe, to become her own woman. A comic that's not using sex appeal to push issues, but character drive and reality of the situation.
I'm a male reader, and I tend to agree with this whole-heartedly. I know that may sound weird, but I grew up differently than most. My whole life has always been surrounded by women. Many have similiar stories, and everyone has their own sob story, but women in the world don't seem to get the credit they deserve for everything they do, or could do. I'm not even going to pretend to know the secrets that are within women's minds, or how they think, but well-written female protagonists can be a draw for more than just women. Sure, sex sells to the average male adolescent, but there comes a time where these boys grow up, and instead of looking for giant bosoms, they are looking for just strong women to read about, or even just that rise to independance a young woman may go through. Especially in a modern world where a woman's self-confidence is being slammed down by everything around them, it's imperitive to show that not only appealing to women readers is a good thing that can help, but something that can benefit a readership on both sides of the gender coin. Comics have always been a form of escapism for boys, so why can't that be true for women as well?
This editorial brings that to light with statistics and sources, and commends Marvel for what they did with Women of Marvel and their other offerings. It's definitely worth a read, as it also asks is this enough.
My personal take on this is that X-23's new on-going is a step in the right direction in the superhero genre itself. Being helmed creatively by Marjorie Liu, it's taken a teenage female character and given her voice a chance to grow and breathe, to become her own woman. A comic that's not using sex appeal to push issues, but character drive and reality of the situation.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Continuity Goofs or Continuity Fixes?
Marjorie Liu's run on the X-23 on-going seems rife with what many might call mistakes. I know I made that error myself at first, but let's take a serious look at it for a second.
The initial Wolverine flashback, how is this possible?
Well, Laura has been on Utopia which is right outside San Francisco, so it could fit anywhere. It also raises the question about Academy X on when Logan got Laura's cell phone number. It's not like they had any meaningful conversations prior to this, let alone a chance to exchange numbers, nor her even having a cell phone yet. So maybe this may explain that. There's also the question in the Chris Yost/Craig Kyle run of how did Laura go from NYX in New York, to sitting on the pier in San Francisco when Logan calls.
Sure she could have had a burn phone which is always possible, but the question still remains on how Logan got that number. So this Amusement Park flashback could bear fruit for answers to at least that question depending on when or how it happened.
How did Dr. Rice, who by all accounts never had a successful experiment except for triggerscent, create Kimura?
This one I hope is touched on in the on-going's issue 5. With an alluded connection to Mr. Sinister being played up, this would make sense, and fix that previous plothole, while still not directly tieing Laura to Mr. Sinister herself. Instead it'd be through Kimura, who by all accounts is a character no one would care if tied to Sinister. Plus, it yields potential ways for Laura to stop Kimura. Though then again, it'd be just as easy to say Sinister was one of Rice and Sutter's many clients. Personally, I'm hoping for the Kimura connection, as it'd open up possibilities and new ways for Laura to fight or stop her. It also answers the question of how this abused orphan girl was taken by Rice and turned into Kimura when Rice himself is more or less a vengence driven quack.
What's the signifigance of Laura having a puppy in her childhood?
The puppy in X-23 v3 issue 3 does come to question. Again though, this is something only hinted at in the minis, and further expands on the point of why Triggerscent was even needed. That same breed of dog, only much older, was used in the first triggerscent trial before a human test was done on the sensei. Clarifying why the Facility even needed triggerscent. Something the initial minis only touched on vaguely by stating targets of exceptional nature, or she couldn't be trusted to kill, but not how they realized that would be needed. This puppy answers that, as well as does something her Mother would have done. While it doesn't show her mother talking back to the doctors like she would normally, this is a memory flashback, those do tend to be altered based on perception as any psychologist or psychiatrist will tell you. Basicly what you remember isn't always the whole truth.
These are but a few retcons that could and do work greatly in the comic and hopefully its future. These are definitely continuity fixes, and not goofs.
I know looking back upon them now, I'm extremely excited to see where this new Miss Sinister arc may go.
Marjorie Liu is doing a wonderful job treating Laura as an actual character and not an object. These retcons themselves plus others are slowly building ideas to help fix the rampant continuity flaws between all of X-23's usages in comics. While these errors are typical in comics, it's nice to see an author who takes them, and works with them instead of just dismissing what they don't like. Marjorie Liu's run could easily become one of the most underrated character usages, that's easy to dismiss at first, but at second glace they truly shine as usages that make you think and question what's come before with how masterfully interwoven they are into Laura's history with precision.
So be there next week, as Laura takes to the streets when issue 4 of the on-going is released on December 15th (*update* December 29th)! Buy your copy and help push this comic back up on the charts to where it belongs(let's try and get it to at least 23rd place for December)! Plus, if you missed the previous 3 issues, this is a perfect jumping on point for a new arc. So tell your friends, this comic is going places and should be read. It's a slow character build but the payoff already is starting to shine through brightly.
The initial Wolverine flashback, how is this possible?
Well, Laura has been on Utopia which is right outside San Francisco, so it could fit anywhere. It also raises the question about Academy X on when Logan got Laura's cell phone number. It's not like they had any meaningful conversations prior to this, let alone a chance to exchange numbers, nor her even having a cell phone yet. So maybe this may explain that. There's also the question in the Chris Yost/Craig Kyle run of how did Laura go from NYX in New York, to sitting on the pier in San Francisco when Logan calls.
Sure she could have had a burn phone which is always possible, but the question still remains on how Logan got that number. So this Amusement Park flashback could bear fruit for answers to at least that question depending on when or how it happened.
How did Dr. Rice, who by all accounts never had a successful experiment except for triggerscent, create Kimura?
This one I hope is touched on in the on-going's issue 5. With an alluded connection to Mr. Sinister being played up, this would make sense, and fix that previous plothole, while still not directly tieing Laura to Mr. Sinister herself. Instead it'd be through Kimura, who by all accounts is a character no one would care if tied to Sinister. Plus, it yields potential ways for Laura to stop Kimura. Though then again, it'd be just as easy to say Sinister was one of Rice and Sutter's many clients. Personally, I'm hoping for the Kimura connection, as it'd open up possibilities and new ways for Laura to fight or stop her. It also answers the question of how this abused orphan girl was taken by Rice and turned into Kimura when Rice himself is more or less a vengence driven quack.
What's the signifigance of Laura having a puppy in her childhood?
The puppy in X-23 v3 issue 3 does come to question. Again though, this is something only hinted at in the minis, and further expands on the point of why Triggerscent was even needed. That same breed of dog, only much older, was used in the first triggerscent trial before a human test was done on the sensei. Clarifying why the Facility even needed triggerscent. Something the initial minis only touched on vaguely by stating targets of exceptional nature, or she couldn't be trusted to kill, but not how they realized that would be needed. This puppy answers that, as well as does something her Mother would have done. While it doesn't show her mother talking back to the doctors like she would normally, this is a memory flashback, those do tend to be altered based on perception as any psychologist or psychiatrist will tell you. Basicly what you remember isn't always the whole truth.
These are but a few retcons that could and do work greatly in the comic and hopefully its future. These are definitely continuity fixes, and not goofs.
I know looking back upon them now, I'm extremely excited to see where this new Miss Sinister arc may go.
Marjorie Liu is doing a wonderful job treating Laura as an actual character and not an object. These retcons themselves plus others are slowly building ideas to help fix the rampant continuity flaws between all of X-23's usages in comics. While these errors are typical in comics, it's nice to see an author who takes them, and works with them instead of just dismissing what they don't like. Marjorie Liu's run could easily become one of the most underrated character usages, that's easy to dismiss at first, but at second glace they truly shine as usages that make you think and question what's come before with how masterfully interwoven they are into Laura's history with precision.
So be there next week, as Laura takes to the streets when issue 4 of the on-going is released on December 15th (*update* December 29th)! Buy your copy and help push this comic back up on the charts to where it belongs(let's try and get it to at least 23rd place for December)! Plus, if you missed the previous 3 issues, this is a perfect jumping on point for a new arc. So tell your friends, this comic is going places and should be read. It's a slow character build but the payoff already is starting to shine through brightly.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Avengers: EMH Update!
Sunday December 19th's episode of Avengers: EMH will be "Widow's Sting." It'll be on at 10am/9 Central that day.
So it looks like Black Widow will finally get an entire episode focus.
Remember, this Sunday's episode is "459." It airs on Sunday at 10am/9 Central.
It looks like it'll feature 'Ultimate' Captain Marvel and the Kree Sentry.
Be sure to check your local listings. Disney XD's schedule.
So it looks like Black Widow will finally get an entire episode focus.
Remember, this Sunday's episode is "459." It airs on Sunday at 10am/9 Central.
It looks like it'll feature 'Ultimate' Captain Marvel and the Kree Sentry.
Be sure to check your local listings. Disney XD's schedule.
No Interviews
This blog will not be doing interviews with anyone associated to the publication of the comics or character it relates to.
It's not that I'm not capable of it, nor have not had the chance to speak to those associated, it's that I don't do puff pieces.
To put it mildly, I'd end up pulling a Katie Couric on them. Though that and interviews would draw attention and hits to this blog, it's not something I personally want to blog about or do. If given the chance to do that though, it's my obligation to do that very thing. For this reason, all requests or oppurtunities to do interviews will be denied, and 'fanboyed' away.
This is for both Marvel's benefit and my own.
It's not that I'm not capable of it, nor have not had the chance to speak to those associated, it's that I don't do puff pieces.
To put it mildly, I'd end up pulling a Katie Couric on them. Though that and interviews would draw attention and hits to this blog, it's not something I personally want to blog about or do. If given the chance to do that though, it's my obligation to do that very thing. For this reason, all requests or oppurtunities to do interviews will be denied, and 'fanboyed' away.
This is for both Marvel's benefit and my own.
November 2010 Sales Rank
November 2010
X-23 v3 #03
Cover Price: $2.99
This issue was ranked 56 out of 300 according to ICv2 which is based on Diamond U.S. to comic specialty stores. The issue has sold an estimated 31,224 copies to them.
The sales are dipping further so far for a title that has been trying to avoid WiRS(Women in Refrigerators Syndrome). Though to be fair, most assume that syndrome has to be only in a male character centric book.
Hopefully this will mean an upbeat in v3 issue 4 as the title takes Laura to the streets in her own real adventure without the X-Men since her minis or Captain Universe one-shot.
So be sure to pick your copy up of X-23 v3 issue 4 on December 15th!
X-23 v3 #03
Cover Price: $2.99
This issue was ranked 56 out of 300 according to ICv2 which is based on Diamond U.S. to comic specialty stores. The issue has sold an estimated 31,224 copies to them.
The sales are dipping further so far for a title that has been trying to avoid WiRS(Women in Refrigerators Syndrome). Though to be fair, most assume that syndrome has to be only in a male character centric book.
Hopefully this will mean an upbeat in v3 issue 4 as the title takes Laura to the streets in her own real adventure without the X-Men since her minis or Captain Universe one-shot.
So be sure to pick your copy up of X-23 v3 issue 4 on December 15th!
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Writer vs Writer
Always the glutton for punishment I am. So why not a rundown of comparisons between the main writers who have written X-23. Let's see who comes out on top.
1. X-23 being a cutter as started by Joe Quesada in NYX.
Chris Yost and Craig Kyle ran with the idea, expanding on it. Something that's understandable with how X-23 was raised.
Marjorie Liu healed X-23 from it. In a spiral of anguish picking up from X-Force with the torture and death of Kiden. Marjorie Liu weaved a powerful tale in her one-shot of the harm just escalating for this excrutiatingly painful moment for Laura. It reached the point where Laura was harming herself in front of others, and even jumping off a building which finally made her learn self-harm wasn't the way.
Winner: Marjorie Liu for moving this character past it.
2. X-23 as a prostitute as shown by Joe Quesada in NYX.
Mostly ignored by Yost and Kyle, this element was never touched on except briefly acknowledged in X-Force with the torture of Kiden.
Marjorie Liu took these cues, and ran with the psychology of it. Showing that Laura doesn't like to think about it as it was a dark place. Treading softly, but showing a woman who's trying to come to terms with herself and her past.
Winner: Marjorie Liu
3. X-23 as the tactician and ultimate strategist. As shown by Yost and Kyle in the two origin mini-series.
Yost and Kyle may have created this, and even interwove it beautifully into Academy X/New X-Men, but the growing overbearing arrogance of it in X-Force while adding comedic value, created an air of Laura borderline as a jerk, though maybe Julian was rubbing off on her. She continually had to be 'put in her place' by Wolverine, even bringing in a reminder that Kimura was still out there and hunting her down.
Marjorie Liu took a different turn after all these events, and showed a withdrawn Laura who was funneling emotions inside without harming others. Finally taking to heart what everyone, even Logan had been telling Laura. No more killing.
Winner: Tough call. Yost and Kyle may have pioneered the aspects, but Marjorie Liu really made her grow from it. While I enjoyed X-Force, the more feminine touch Liu brings to the character really helps her feel more real with these problems. So I'm going with Marjorie Liu here for the withdrawn story usage and lack of what amounts to abusing a character repeatedly, especially a female character. There comes a point where it's just too much to bear in X-Force.
4. Years of training under a sensei, and weapons applications along with field materials usage as shown by Yost and Kyle in the mini-series and Academy X.
Yost and Kyle weaved a powerful story of intrigue in those issues. Elements that had Laura show boating and trying to understand how other kids were raised. This continued throughout New X-Men and X-Force with a rising arrogance from it as she dove headfirst into the problems the institute were facing after Decimation. It even had Julian reprimanding her for her techniques, and Logan being mad at her about it as well as slamming her into a tree for how she talked about Wolfsbane.
Marjorie Liu's take on this shows after time of arrogance, and a multitude of times people waving their finger and saying bad doggie, that Laura has turned inward but still remains a master at chess, even in how she handles the telepathic entity that's inhabiting her.
Winner: Tie. Marjorie Liu's run is still going though, so she may have the edge here.(Yes I realize I used the same question twice.)
5. X-23 as Wolverine's test-tube daughter, as insinuated in the mini-series with her green eyes and other similiarities to her mother.
Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost only touched on this in the initial mini-series, but had never approached it since. Instead they just kept escalating the harm and lack of self-worth X-23 had inflicted on her from the Facility. Even after time and time again others kept caring for Laura and telling her she's worth so much more.
Marjorie Liu finally dove into this headfirst, showing that Laura does know these details, but just refuses to face them until finally her own soul had to speak up and make Laura face herself.
Winner: Marjorie Liu, but it should be noted that Yost/Kyle never had the chance to approach it, instead opting to escalate the psychology of the trauma of it inflicted upon her for 4 years, only touching briefly on it when Laura visited her family in the minis. Whereas within 4 issues, Marjorie Liu weaved a tale of healing that helped bring Laura to terms with it, without diving into the familial connections to push the point since Laura is cut off from her family because of Kimura's vendetta.
6. X-23 dealing with a telepathic enemy.
Yost/Kyle had shown this briefly in Academy X as Emma attempted to make X-23 leave by pulling memories while X-23 slept to use her own Mother against her.
Marjorie Liu continues this thought using a telepathic entity that while tortures Laura, could be exactly what's helping protect her from proddings from Emma. Laura herself seems to be cautious of this entity, and only letting him into thoughts of her creation.
Winner: Marjorie Liu, as she's had a longer duration to use this to her advantage in published work. It reflects the stragetic nature of Laura while being more subdued.
7. X-23 and her family.
As shown by Yost/Kyle X-23 has a love for her cousin and Aunt, missing them deeply, and crying whenever her mother comes up. Giving contempt towards Logan for his lack of strategy, but yet still coming to his rescue and heeding his advice, especially advice that's been beat into her when she speaks against those that Logan cares about more than her.
Marjorie Liu yielded a story of intrigue and contempt towards Logan at first while Laura was still thinking herself as simply his clone. She has since grown and heeded her mother's advice to never forgive her mother for X-23's creation. She's finally even started giving Logan a chance, even picking up on his true nature and recognizing when she's being duped. This X-23 is finally starting to take responsibility for herself, and growing by her own will. This X-23 is defiant even to Beezle-bub in her word choices, using a contraction to do that very thing to spite him.
Winner: Marjorie Liu for healing Laura and having her grow by her own will, and not because others are forcing her to. Showing a young woman who'll protect her family by any cost as she did for Julian.
Only doing seven for now, since X-23 was created seven years ago in animation. Future writer vs writer may come up as Marjorie Liu creates a wealth of information to compare to 5 years of work Yost/Kyle have on the character.
For now, the winner is...
Both. Comparing the two, is like comparing night and day. They both show different aspects in a growing timeline of events that are defining X-23 to who she is as a young woman. Both have given some great stuff, and both have yielded some interesting possibilities and story points to explore. Comparing the two is really unfair, as one side shows Laura's pain and how she grew up being inflicted with trauma, and the other shows Laura attempting to come to terms with it in humility instead of ignoring it or hiding behind arrogance and self-destructiveness. One side abuses Laura and continually beats her down, but still has her overcome it, the other has Laura healing and growing but no one will listen as oft happens when adults are around. Since people are going to say that's a cop-out, the winner is Marjorie Liu for making Laura more withdrawn and humble while still conveying the facets of Laura's training and aptitude for chess. Sorry, but I side with the starflake.
Remember, December 15th is when the next X-23 issue comes out. Be there as Laura takes to the city and branches out on her own in Marjorie Liu's masterfully written work that shows a growing and healing Laura out in the world.
1. X-23 being a cutter as started by Joe Quesada in NYX.
Chris Yost and Craig Kyle ran with the idea, expanding on it. Something that's understandable with how X-23 was raised.
Marjorie Liu healed X-23 from it. In a spiral of anguish picking up from X-Force with the torture and death of Kiden. Marjorie Liu weaved a powerful tale in her one-shot of the harm just escalating for this excrutiatingly painful moment for Laura. It reached the point where Laura was harming herself in front of others, and even jumping off a building which finally made her learn self-harm wasn't the way.
Winner: Marjorie Liu for moving this character past it.
2. X-23 as a prostitute as shown by Joe Quesada in NYX.
Mostly ignored by Yost and Kyle, this element was never touched on except briefly acknowledged in X-Force with the torture of Kiden.
Marjorie Liu took these cues, and ran with the psychology of it. Showing that Laura doesn't like to think about it as it was a dark place. Treading softly, but showing a woman who's trying to come to terms with herself and her past.
Winner: Marjorie Liu
3. X-23 as the tactician and ultimate strategist. As shown by Yost and Kyle in the two origin mini-series.
Yost and Kyle may have created this, and even interwove it beautifully into Academy X/New X-Men, but the growing overbearing arrogance of it in X-Force while adding comedic value, created an air of Laura borderline as a jerk, though maybe Julian was rubbing off on her. She continually had to be 'put in her place' by Wolverine, even bringing in a reminder that Kimura was still out there and hunting her down.
Marjorie Liu took a different turn after all these events, and showed a withdrawn Laura who was funneling emotions inside without harming others. Finally taking to heart what everyone, even Logan had been telling Laura. No more killing.
Winner: Tough call. Yost and Kyle may have pioneered the aspects, but Marjorie Liu really made her grow from it. While I enjoyed X-Force, the more feminine touch Liu brings to the character really helps her feel more real with these problems. So I'm going with Marjorie Liu here for the withdrawn story usage and lack of what amounts to abusing a character repeatedly, especially a female character. There comes a point where it's just too much to bear in X-Force.
4. Years of training under a sensei, and weapons applications along with field materials usage as shown by Yost and Kyle in the mini-series and Academy X.
Yost and Kyle weaved a powerful story of intrigue in those issues. Elements that had Laura show boating and trying to understand how other kids were raised. This continued throughout New X-Men and X-Force with a rising arrogance from it as she dove headfirst into the problems the institute were facing after Decimation. It even had Julian reprimanding her for her techniques, and Logan being mad at her about it as well as slamming her into a tree for how she talked about Wolfsbane.
Marjorie Liu's take on this shows after time of arrogance, and a multitude of times people waving their finger and saying bad doggie, that Laura has turned inward but still remains a master at chess, even in how she handles the telepathic entity that's inhabiting her.
Winner: Tie. Marjorie Liu's run is still going though, so she may have the edge here.(Yes I realize I used the same question twice.)
5. X-23 as Wolverine's test-tube daughter, as insinuated in the mini-series with her green eyes and other similiarities to her mother.
Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost only touched on this in the initial mini-series, but had never approached it since. Instead they just kept escalating the harm and lack of self-worth X-23 had inflicted on her from the Facility. Even after time and time again others kept caring for Laura and telling her she's worth so much more.
Marjorie Liu finally dove into this headfirst, showing that Laura does know these details, but just refuses to face them until finally her own soul had to speak up and make Laura face herself.
Winner: Marjorie Liu, but it should be noted that Yost/Kyle never had the chance to approach it, instead opting to escalate the psychology of the trauma of it inflicted upon her for 4 years, only touching briefly on it when Laura visited her family in the minis. Whereas within 4 issues, Marjorie Liu weaved a tale of healing that helped bring Laura to terms with it, without diving into the familial connections to push the point since Laura is cut off from her family because of Kimura's vendetta.
6. X-23 dealing with a telepathic enemy.
Yost/Kyle had shown this briefly in Academy X as Emma attempted to make X-23 leave by pulling memories while X-23 slept to use her own Mother against her.
Marjorie Liu continues this thought using a telepathic entity that while tortures Laura, could be exactly what's helping protect her from proddings from Emma. Laura herself seems to be cautious of this entity, and only letting him into thoughts of her creation.
Winner: Marjorie Liu, as she's had a longer duration to use this to her advantage in published work. It reflects the stragetic nature of Laura while being more subdued.
7. X-23 and her family.
As shown by Yost/Kyle X-23 has a love for her cousin and Aunt, missing them deeply, and crying whenever her mother comes up. Giving contempt towards Logan for his lack of strategy, but yet still coming to his rescue and heeding his advice, especially advice that's been beat into her when she speaks against those that Logan cares about more than her.
Marjorie Liu yielded a story of intrigue and contempt towards Logan at first while Laura was still thinking herself as simply his clone. She has since grown and heeded her mother's advice to never forgive her mother for X-23's creation. She's finally even started giving Logan a chance, even picking up on his true nature and recognizing when she's being duped. This X-23 is finally starting to take responsibility for herself, and growing by her own will. This X-23 is defiant even to Beezle-bub in her word choices, using a contraction to do that very thing to spite him.
Winner: Marjorie Liu for healing Laura and having her grow by her own will, and not because others are forcing her to. Showing a young woman who'll protect her family by any cost as she did for Julian.
Only doing seven for now, since X-23 was created seven years ago in animation. Future writer vs writer may come up as Marjorie Liu creates a wealth of information to compare to 5 years of work Yost/Kyle have on the character.
For now, the winner is...
Both. Comparing the two, is like comparing night and day. They both show different aspects in a growing timeline of events that are defining X-23 to who she is as a young woman. Both have given some great stuff, and both have yielded some interesting possibilities and story points to explore. Comparing the two is really unfair, as one side shows Laura's pain and how she grew up being inflicted with trauma, and the other shows Laura attempting to come to terms with it in humility instead of ignoring it or hiding behind arrogance and self-destructiveness. One side abuses Laura and continually beats her down, but still has her overcome it, the other has Laura healing and growing but no one will listen as oft happens when adults are around. Since people are going to say that's a cop-out, the winner is Marjorie Liu for making Laura more withdrawn and humble while still conveying the facets of Laura's training and aptitude for chess. Sorry, but I side with the starflake.
Remember, December 15th is when the next X-23 issue comes out. Be there as Laura takes to the city and branches out on her own in Marjorie Liu's masterfully written work that shows a growing and healing Laura out in the world.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Running Silent.
Too much good luck and awesomeness the past couple of days. I think I'm going to basicly just go to running silent for awhile. I'm waiting for karma to drop the other shoe pretty much.
So life is calling me back again. I hope it won't be long, we shall see. My personal life is just getting too many things going right now to focus solely on one area. I hope I'll still have time to post relevant information, links, and reviews, but we shall see as life itself is being chaotic yet again.
*Update* Life dropped the other shoe, so this blog is staying with a vengence.
So life is calling me back again. I hope it won't be long, we shall see. My personal life is just getting too many things going right now to focus solely on one area. I hope I'll still have time to post relevant information, links, and reviews, but we shall see as life itself is being chaotic yet again.
*Update* Life dropped the other shoe, so this blog is staying with a vengence.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Future Female Protagonists coming from Hollywood
So with the recent revelation of the writer on the Buffy reboot, I thought it'd be a good time to do a rundown on all the upcoming female heroes coming our way.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Script written by Whit Anderson. Warner Brothers is looking to reboot the franchise without Whedon involved. Date is TBD.
Bubblegum Crisis - A multi-national joint venture that's looking to bring the adventures of the Knight Sabers to movie theaters. The Knight Sabers are 4 women who fight rogue 'boomers' created by the Genom Corporation. Priss, Nene, Linna and Sylia will be making their appearance on the silver screen in 2012.
Wonder Woman - Still in development hell over at Warner Brothers. It's undecided on how best to approach this whether a TV series would be prudent, or a theatrical appearance. So far it's all still TBD. *Update* Now it's officially going to be an NBC series.
Sucker Punch - The comic turned movie about one girl's escape from her imprisonment as well as reality will be hitting theaters March 25th, 2011. It is directed by Zack Snyder. It's also from Warner Brothers. Official Site.
Kick-Ass 2 - Still TBD, but it'll feature Hit-Girl yet again in all her kicking ass glory. Of course the title character will be returning too. So far it is all TBD, but check out the mini-series it'll be adapted from by Marvel as it's being released this and next year.
Tangled - The just recently released Disney feature that tells the story of Rapunzel and her escape to freedom. Official Site
Super - Frank and Libby, otherwise everyday people team-up to take on crime. Um, okay much more to that, but I don't think a small blurb can do this twisted tale justice. It's kind of hard to simplify Libby's sociopathic tendencies played poeticly by Ellen Page. Official Site
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - A journalist and hacker enter into a life or death mystery as they unravel the pieces. Based on the Novel and Foreign film of the same name. Distributed by Sony.
Underworld 4 - Kate Beckinsale makes her return to the franchise, all info is still pretty shrouded in mystery but expect it in theaters sometime in 2012 possibly. Another from Sony.
Snow White and the Huntsman - Coming from Universal Pictures, this is a new take on the classic fairy tale. Not much is known except not to expect your parent's Snow White. Hits theaters December 21, 2012.
Red Riding Hood - Another new take on an age-old fairy tale. This one brought to you by the director of Twilight. This is another foray from Warner Brothers. It'll be hitting theaters March 2011. So are you afraid of the big bad wolf? Trailer
Then there's also Noir, Hanna, and Black Swan to add to the list as well.
Hanna being the most dentrimental to getting an X-23 origins feature rolling.
This is just a small rundown based on what's the most prevalent information right now. I may update later as I either remember, or find out about others.
*Update*
Now even DC's Raven is becoming a series.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Script written by Whit Anderson. Warner Brothers is looking to reboot the franchise without Whedon involved. Date is TBD.
Bubblegum Crisis - A multi-national joint venture that's looking to bring the adventures of the Knight Sabers to movie theaters. The Knight Sabers are 4 women who fight rogue 'boomers' created by the Genom Corporation. Priss, Nene, Linna and Sylia will be making their appearance on the silver screen in 2012.
Wonder Woman - Still in development hell over at Warner Brothers. It's undecided on how best to approach this whether a TV series would be prudent, or a theatrical appearance. So far it's all still TBD. *Update* Now it's officially going to be an NBC series.
Sucker Punch - The comic turned movie about one girl's escape from her imprisonment as well as reality will be hitting theaters March 25th, 2011. It is directed by Zack Snyder. It's also from Warner Brothers. Official Site.
Kick-Ass 2 - Still TBD, but it'll feature Hit-Girl yet again in all her kicking ass glory. Of course the title character will be returning too. So far it is all TBD, but check out the mini-series it'll be adapted from by Marvel as it's being released this and next year.
Tangled - The just recently released Disney feature that tells the story of Rapunzel and her escape to freedom. Official Site
Super - Frank and Libby, otherwise everyday people team-up to take on crime. Um, okay much more to that, but I don't think a small blurb can do this twisted tale justice. It's kind of hard to simplify Libby's sociopathic tendencies played poeticly by Ellen Page. Official Site
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - A journalist and hacker enter into a life or death mystery as they unravel the pieces. Based on the Novel and Foreign film of the same name. Distributed by Sony.
Underworld 4 - Kate Beckinsale makes her return to the franchise, all info is still pretty shrouded in mystery but expect it in theaters sometime in 2012 possibly. Another from Sony.
Snow White and the Huntsman - Coming from Universal Pictures, this is a new take on the classic fairy tale. Not much is known except not to expect your parent's Snow White. Hits theaters December 21, 2012.
Red Riding Hood - Another new take on an age-old fairy tale. This one brought to you by the director of Twilight. This is another foray from Warner Brothers. It'll be hitting theaters March 2011. So are you afraid of the big bad wolf? Trailer
Then there's also Noir, Hanna, and Black Swan to add to the list as well.
Hanna being the most dentrimental to getting an X-23 origins feature rolling.
This is just a small rundown based on what's the most prevalent information right now. I may update later as I either remember, or find out about others.
*Update*
Now even DC's Raven is becoming a series.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
XMO: X-23 (Tentative) Fan Casting Part 4
This is just another fan casting entry. I hope that it starts conveying the vision I have for this property though. So far these two are the top picks on my lists, but not the only choices. With the free time I have this weekend, I'll try and finish getting other materials together. So hopefully more posts to come. This is only for the theatrical or tv movie origin feature, and not for a tv series. TV series points will come later. Right now my focus is on an accurate portrayal origin feature to better familiarize the public with these characters and license. TV series play by different rules than at the cinema, so that can be approached differently.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Pet Peeves - Correct Usage of A and AN
I've seen this repeated in printed media, lately even in news sites and it's starting to annoy the crap out of me from what's supposed to be allegedly professional writers. I'm not perfect with my usage of punctuation, but come on, seriously? How can this mistake keep sliding through.
This thankfully is something that has NEVER happened in an X-23 comic.
I'm speaking of the usage of A and An.
Why is this such a hard grammar rule to grasp?
A humanistic, a historic, an hour, NOT an humanistic, not an historic, not a hour.
Use a if the next word begins with a consonant SOUND.
This is a sound rule, NOT a spelling rule.
a box
a cat
a university (university begins with a consonant sound)
a unicorn (unicorn begins with a consonant sound)
a European trip (European begins with a consonant sound)
a hotel (hotel begins with a consonant sound)
a hit (hit begins with a consonant sound)
a xylophone (Xylophone begins with a consonant sound)
Use AN if the next word begins with a vowel SOUND.
This is a sound rule, NOT a spelling rule.
an atom
an entrance
an ice cream cone
an uncle (uncle begins with a vowel sound)
an hour (the h is silent, thus a vowel sound)
an ex (ex or X begins with a vowel sound, pronounced like ecks)
I know this is rather random, but it's becoming an even worse trend in published material that makes me wonder what are the use of editors if they can't even catch basic grammar mistakes to correct before printing.
This thankfully is something that has NEVER happened in an X-23 comic.
I'm speaking of the usage of A and An.
Why is this such a hard grammar rule to grasp?
A humanistic, a historic, an hour, NOT an humanistic, not an historic, not a hour.
Use a if the next word begins with a consonant SOUND.
This is a sound rule, NOT a spelling rule.
a box
a cat
a university (university begins with a consonant sound)
a unicorn (unicorn begins with a consonant sound)
a European trip (European begins with a consonant sound)
a hotel (hotel begins with a consonant sound)
a hit (hit begins with a consonant sound)
a xylophone (Xylophone begins with a consonant sound)
Use AN if the next word begins with a vowel SOUND.
This is a sound rule, NOT a spelling rule.
an atom
an entrance
an ice cream cone
an uncle (uncle begins with a vowel sound)
an hour (the h is silent, thus a vowel sound)
an ex (ex or X begins with a vowel sound, pronounced like ecks)
I know this is rather random, but it's becoming an even worse trend in published material that makes me wonder what are the use of editors if they can't even catch basic grammar mistakes to correct before printing.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
X-23 v3 Issue 3 - The Great Bits (Spoilers)
It is a complicated heady issue to put it mildly, though many would say that's an understatement. It shows a return of the psychology that's prevalent throughout the run in Academy X, the minis, and even X-Force.
We finally have Laura Kinney off Utopia for a good while. Something that was extremely needed for her stories to be interesting or even relevant. Let's be honest here. X-23 on an island of mutants is boring. It's nothing against Utopia itself, but there is a reason the best recent stories have to do with them being off Utopia, or going to San Francisco. X-23, a powerful independant woman in her own right, would be boring on Utopia surrounded by her peers.
We do finally have it stated in continuity and in a way that no fan can deny that Laura Kinney is Logan's test-tube daughter. Not exactly his clone, but not exactly not either. She is her mother's daughter, and yet, so much more. The issue really plays up the similiarities between her and Dr. Kinney like the origin minis did.
Laura Kinney is not as mopey as she was anymore. Finally moving forward, she is healing. The self-destructive tendencies are gone, she's making choices, and she's finally taking responsibility for those choices.
The telepathic entity has been integrated into Laura's story. Something that while many aren't fond of, does present numerous possibilities, as well as leaves a mcguffin in place to protect the comic from any future flashback mistakes by Laura.
Memory itself, especially with teenagers, is fickle. This plays up to the psychology of the character. Perception, reality, and how she chooses to put her own spin on her memories is something real people do everyday. Someone with her past, and heavy-handed well-warranted depression, is expected. Though the locket may be seemingly gone for now, it is an interesting notion as people out in the world like Kimura would try to find X-23 by any means, including telepaths. Laura is well trained when it comes to keepsakes and protocols. She is the ultimate chess player, something the first issue pushed rather well.
We finally saw the disregarding of treating Laura Kinney as an animal. Something that was counter-intuitive to everything she represents. She's finally portrayed in her own thoughts as a machine, something the facility attempted to drill into her in trying but failing to breed out emotion entirely, or at least they attempted to beat subservience into her using Kimura.
Using an amalgamation of nature vs nurture in conjunction with the peak experience brought the psychology of the character to the forefront finally and albeit with a few miss-steps, it does bring the character full circle into a form of closure before other stories start up.
While issue 3 chose its own way to portray Laura's soul and how she realized it, in many ways it hit all the key points of my September post about what it should be. While it may have sidestepped the entire do clones have souls debate, it did it in such a manner that did stay true to the character's origins inspite of a miss-step or two. While I'm not thrilled at side-stepping the debate, for a fledgling comic, this might be best instead of being overbearingly political in its message about creating life. While the psychological method used is essentially a 'cure-all,' it is an interesting concept to play with when using something like a soul, and the innate beauty of that concept itself.
This isn't 'good soldier' Laura, and rightfully so, as Laura has never quite been the 'good soldier' who follows orders. She's independant and vocal talking back to her 'superiors' and following orders in a creative manner outside the parameters. This is something that finally starts to come to light again in the issue, albeit only nuanced. She's a character who works well solo, or with a partner, and it's good to see that return for future development. While a good chunk of her depression can be explained by the figurative fact of people basicly waving their finger at her and going "No, Bad doggie, don't do that," it does finally show X-23 moving past that. This being the main cause for her being withdrawn and unable to grow as opposed to before.
The puppy flashback was a masterful addition. Bringing the mini-series full circle, and showing the writer to have done her homework. An older dog is used in the mini-series for the first triggerscent test. This scene explains why trigger was even needed by the facility.
While I say no more flashbacks are needed, I do expect at least one more. That being the creation of Kimura. With Miss Sinister entering the story, and an alluded connection to Mr. Sinister in the upcoming issues, this issue specificly throws a curve ball in what the comic synopsis mysteriously reads. This issue brings up some interesting possibilities that suggest maybe Mr. Sinister's hand is solely in developing Kimura herself. Let's be honest here, Dr. Rice is a quack. None of his experiments worked to the point they had to bring in Dr. Kinney to even create Laura. So how he could conceive let alone create Kimura from an abused orphan girl turned bully is suspect. Hopefully this issue, if it does use a flashback with Mr. Sinister will be a flashback using Kimura and not Laura Kinney. Something that would make sense because as worthless as Dr. Rice is, it would make sense for him to just use his countless resources to just find a test-subject, and pay Mr. Sinister to turn her into his specifications. This seems feasible especially after all the money put into the X-23 project itself.
The portrayal of Julian still as a self-centered jerk, and Scott Summers as a leader who's also quite the dick, came across perfectly. Something that played off well against Storm and Gambit, two other characters who grew up on the streets too. Gambit specificly gets interesting because of his connection to growing up on the streets and then falling into the thieves guild. This is something that in many ways mirrors Laura as she grew up, lost her family because of the facility, and fell into the Institute where everything was all fun and games until they started to use her for X-Force.
I commend these note-worthy things, as well as ample amounts of symbolism and even finally moving Laura forward away from being a killer at all.
That's not to say the comic is not without its faults, but with how masterfully woven this is, they may be intentional. Be sure to check out X-23 v3 issue 4 on sale December 15th, as it begins Laura's first story out in the real world in over 3 years.
(There's that 3 again. Something else that should probably be commended if albeit accidental.)
Another personal thing of mine I commend Marjorie Liu for is the music I was splicing together for the 'fan proposed trailer.' It has become even more relevant now. For that, I don't know how I could ever thank her enough.
We finally have Laura Kinney off Utopia for a good while. Something that was extremely needed for her stories to be interesting or even relevant. Let's be honest here. X-23 on an island of mutants is boring. It's nothing against Utopia itself, but there is a reason the best recent stories have to do with them being off Utopia, or going to San Francisco. X-23, a powerful independant woman in her own right, would be boring on Utopia surrounded by her peers.
We do finally have it stated in continuity and in a way that no fan can deny that Laura Kinney is Logan's test-tube daughter. Not exactly his clone, but not exactly not either. She is her mother's daughter, and yet, so much more. The issue really plays up the similiarities between her and Dr. Kinney like the origin minis did.
Laura Kinney is not as mopey as she was anymore. Finally moving forward, she is healing. The self-destructive tendencies are gone, she's making choices, and she's finally taking responsibility for those choices.
The telepathic entity has been integrated into Laura's story. Something that while many aren't fond of, does present numerous possibilities, as well as leaves a mcguffin in place to protect the comic from any future flashback mistakes by Laura.
Memory itself, especially with teenagers, is fickle. This plays up to the psychology of the character. Perception, reality, and how she chooses to put her own spin on her memories is something real people do everyday. Someone with her past, and heavy-handed well-warranted depression, is expected. Though the locket may be seemingly gone for now, it is an interesting notion as people out in the world like Kimura would try to find X-23 by any means, including telepaths. Laura is well trained when it comes to keepsakes and protocols. She is the ultimate chess player, something the first issue pushed rather well.
We finally saw the disregarding of treating Laura Kinney as an animal. Something that was counter-intuitive to everything she represents. She's finally portrayed in her own thoughts as a machine, something the facility attempted to drill into her in trying but failing to breed out emotion entirely, or at least they attempted to beat subservience into her using Kimura.
Using an amalgamation of nature vs nurture in conjunction with the peak experience brought the psychology of the character to the forefront finally and albeit with a few miss-steps, it does bring the character full circle into a form of closure before other stories start up.
While issue 3 chose its own way to portray Laura's soul and how she realized it, in many ways it hit all the key points of my September post about what it should be. While it may have sidestepped the entire do clones have souls debate, it did it in such a manner that did stay true to the character's origins inspite of a miss-step or two. While I'm not thrilled at side-stepping the debate, for a fledgling comic, this might be best instead of being overbearingly political in its message about creating life. While the psychological method used is essentially a 'cure-all,' it is an interesting concept to play with when using something like a soul, and the innate beauty of that concept itself.
This isn't 'good soldier' Laura, and rightfully so, as Laura has never quite been the 'good soldier' who follows orders. She's independant and vocal talking back to her 'superiors' and following orders in a creative manner outside the parameters. This is something that finally starts to come to light again in the issue, albeit only nuanced. She's a character who works well solo, or with a partner, and it's good to see that return for future development. While a good chunk of her depression can be explained by the figurative fact of people basicly waving their finger at her and going "No, Bad doggie, don't do that," it does finally show X-23 moving past that. This being the main cause for her being withdrawn and unable to grow as opposed to before.
The puppy flashback was a masterful addition. Bringing the mini-series full circle, and showing the writer to have done her homework. An older dog is used in the mini-series for the first triggerscent test. This scene explains why trigger was even needed by the facility.
While I say no more flashbacks are needed, I do expect at least one more. That being the creation of Kimura. With Miss Sinister entering the story, and an alluded connection to Mr. Sinister in the upcoming issues, this issue specificly throws a curve ball in what the comic synopsis mysteriously reads. This issue brings up some interesting possibilities that suggest maybe Mr. Sinister's hand is solely in developing Kimura herself. Let's be honest here, Dr. Rice is a quack. None of his experiments worked to the point they had to bring in Dr. Kinney to even create Laura. So how he could conceive let alone create Kimura from an abused orphan girl turned bully is suspect. Hopefully this issue, if it does use a flashback with Mr. Sinister will be a flashback using Kimura and not Laura Kinney. Something that would make sense because as worthless as Dr. Rice is, it would make sense for him to just use his countless resources to just find a test-subject, and pay Mr. Sinister to turn her into his specifications. This seems feasible especially after all the money put into the X-23 project itself.
The portrayal of Julian still as a self-centered jerk, and Scott Summers as a leader who's also quite the dick, came across perfectly. Something that played off well against Storm and Gambit, two other characters who grew up on the streets too. Gambit specificly gets interesting because of his connection to growing up on the streets and then falling into the thieves guild. This is something that in many ways mirrors Laura as she grew up, lost her family because of the facility, and fell into the Institute where everything was all fun and games until they started to use her for X-Force.
I commend these note-worthy things, as well as ample amounts of symbolism and even finally moving Laura forward away from being a killer at all.
That's not to say the comic is not without its faults, but with how masterfully woven this is, they may be intentional. Be sure to check out X-23 v3 issue 4 on sale December 15th, as it begins Laura's first story out in the real world in over 3 years.
(There's that 3 again. Something else that should probably be commended if albeit accidental.)
Another personal thing of mine I commend Marjorie Liu for is the music I was splicing together for the 'fan proposed trailer.' It has become even more relevant now. For that, I don't know how I could ever thank her enough.
Friday, November 19, 2010
INDECISION 2010
This is X-23's brand new 'Soul Mark.'
What exactly is it?
Is it a star to represent her soul and the infinite vast possibilities this new direction can now take that it's free of all baggage and hopefully free of all flashbacks? Or is a snowflake the key into her soul representing she's like everyone else and yet unique, her choices being what define her from now on?
You decide!
What exactly is it?
Is it a star to represent her soul and the infinite vast possibilities this new direction can now take that it's free of all baggage and hopefully free of all flashbacks? Or is a snowflake the key into her soul representing she's like everyone else and yet unique, her choices being what define her from now on?
You decide!
Monday, November 15, 2010
The Big What If for TV, or Did Summer Glau just use NBC to audition for X-23?
If Disney Marvel ever attempted an X-23 tv series, would you watch it?
Now what if I said it consulted Marjorie Liu, Craig Kyle, or Christopher Yost for the stories and/or writing?
What if it starred Summer Glau?
After tonight's Chuck (NBC Mondays) that question has been danced around. Today's episode featured a sub-story that starred Summer Glau who once again proves how well she could handle a late teens to early 20s Laura Kinney.
I've always been opposed to the idea of Summer Glau playing X-23 for an origin feature, but a TV show does open all kinds of possibilities, just as the door would still be open for her post-origin. ABC Disney, I personally think, could benefit from a show like this, especially after or during an origin movie theater run that introduces general audiences to the character. This seperation of cast and story would allow them to not worry about the origin and audience issues associated while letting them explore the future possibilities that her on-going comic (is supposed to at least) represents.
What are your thoughts? Do you think Disney should dare? Are they just opening the window of oppurtunity and letting the golden goose fly out? Or should they continue to let it lay the golden eggs?
As Whedon fans will tell you, this was simply a Firefly nod. It does make one wonder though with Whedon's recent ties to Avengers.
If you missed tonight's Chuck, you can catch it on Hulu or NBC's website.
Now what if I said it consulted Marjorie Liu, Craig Kyle, or Christopher Yost for the stories and/or writing?
What if it starred Summer Glau?
After tonight's Chuck (NBC Mondays) that question has been danced around. Today's episode featured a sub-story that starred Summer Glau who once again proves how well she could handle a late teens to early 20s Laura Kinney.
I've always been opposed to the idea of Summer Glau playing X-23 for an origin feature, but a TV show does open all kinds of possibilities, just as the door would still be open for her post-origin. ABC Disney, I personally think, could benefit from a show like this, especially after or during an origin movie theater run that introduces general audiences to the character. This seperation of cast and story would allow them to not worry about the origin and audience issues associated while letting them explore the future possibilities that her on-going comic (is supposed to at least) represents.
What are your thoughts? Do you think Disney should dare? Are they just opening the window of oppurtunity and letting the golden goose fly out? Or should they continue to let it lay the golden eggs?
As Whedon fans will tell you, this was simply a Firefly nod. It does make one wonder though with Whedon's recent ties to Avengers.
If you missed tonight's Chuck, you can catch it on Hulu or NBC's website.
Friday, November 12, 2010
X-23: The Movie and Why Hollywood needs to do it now, and How.
I've tried for weeks now to reach someone at Marvel or Fox to discuss with about this. I have a more professional condensed business proposal letter with all this ready to go, but the system itself is denying the possibility that it'd ever be seriously considered or even read.
I have a script that I've yet to submit as I need the information of who to send it to, to make sure it is actually read and my plan seriously considered. Due to how Hollywood is now such a closed circuit (agents, entertainment lawyers, and more hoops than even that if you aren't already in the biz and that's just for self-created properties, don't even get me started on trying to use something complicatedly established like X-23 is), this has been nigh impossible. I've yet to reach out to Hugh Jackman's Production company, but that would be the next step since I've yet to hear anything back from Marvel, or Fox. So I'm going about this the 'Densha Otoko' way.
I have gone about this not as well as I should have, and for that I apologize. With the system setup as it is, I wasn't left with much of an option. I'm drowned out by thousands of fans who want what typical fans do. They want her shoe-horned into any random movie, they want Summer Glau to play her, they want Fox to give the rights back to Marvel, they want all these things that are counter-productive to making a successful franchise movie or is counter-intuitive to drawing a large audience.
This needs to be done right to become a franchise and a hit. I know, saying all this on an X-23 fan blog, outright complaining about fans is counter-intuitive to the very thing I need, which is fan hits. My goal isn't the same as theirs. I want an X-23 film to be made, and I want it to be true to who she is and what she's experienced. I want it to be a franchise that's rich with possibilities, and not simply some minor cameo that's forgettable. I want to push X-23 to Twilight level stardom; to Transformers level box office returns. Marvel has already created the ground work for this potential with the magnificent origin mini-series written by Christopher Yost and Craig Kyle, so that's exactly what should be adapted. It's not that I know better than the thousands of fans out there, it's just that I want something different than what they keep proposing from their fanboy bias and tunnel vision.
To this end, I've realized I'm going to have to take an alternative route to reach my goals. This blog has always been here for me to celebrate the character X-23, and toss around these ideas, so I thought it might finally be time I did just that. So remember, this is a blog, not how I'd write to send something professionally. This is just me rambling off all of what I want to do in my more casual and natural written voice as opposed to what I call 'business speak' or 'professional writing.' I like to keep things on this blog more casual to avoid arrogance or being pretentious.
The script itself is mildly under-wraps, it does have changes from the two mini-series it's based on(Innocence Lost, and Target X), but they are changes for time constraints, and for character usage to fit as well as getting the rating to remain at PG-13 due to the subject matter. It is essentially 90% the same, 5% for time and character changes(film rights issues), and 5% to heighten the emotional impact and attempt to keep the rating within needed parameters. Due to the nature of the biz; I don't want my ideas stolen, but to gain an actual dialogue with Marvel or Fox. I am keeping the script to myself and the few I've let read it as a blind test audience for how it would play out on general audiences. I would like for it to only be in Fox & Marvel's hands, but even without that, it is their intellectual property I'm using, just as the mini-series it's derived from are their property. So I understand whole-heartedly they could do this without me. To be frank, if they do, I'm fine with that so long as they do it right, and cast appropriately as they have in the past. My main fear here is if they do the opposite of what I'm saying here and it bombs so they blame the character, and not the choices. Hence why I offer the dual scapegoats of doing it accurately, AND being able to blame it all on a fan not in the biz for pushing it. To be fair though, I'm only willing to take the blame if I actually have a credited hand in it. That's fair isn't it? They take the credit for the success it will be, I take the blame if by some random chance it flops.
The pitch: X-23 is Nikita meets Splice, with a dash of Life Unexpected. It has overtones of Pinnochio but in the modern world, along with elements of Cinderella, but a Cinderella not saved by a prince, but by her own hand and family.
Proposed Release Date: Wednesday, October 23rd, 2013 (The Year of X-23's Ten Year Anniversary. It'll have been ten years since her premiere on X-Men Evolution in August of 2003.)
Synopsis: Laura Kinney is a girl unlike any other. Her father is Wolverine, a man she's never met. She was born into a world that makes her kill so they get money. She's never known what being a real girl is like. That is, until one day her mother sends her away to her extended family, but will Laura's "owners" be okay with this?
Marketing: The marketing plan is crucial to this attaining Twilight or Transformers level stardom and returns.
First, start off by announcing where the script came from: a fan who was born on 10/23, and did ample amounts of research to make sure it maintained accuracy for fans, and yet still would be able to appease general audiences. Going this route on attaching a 'fan' under the set criteria above also lessens the impact of piracy because the fans would be hurting one of their own. Granted that's never stopped them before, but at least it could make some hesitant. It also gives studios an out if it unexpectedly does poorly. It was written by a 'fanboy' and would be the end of this just starting career in film writing. (Mind you, I'm fine with this as X-23 is one of only 3 things I'd like to actually write a film for.) This angle also yields a new promotion manner, being the person behind this marketing plan, and so involved in the choices of the film lets this person be perfect for the Morning Show/Talk Show circuit to push the chance the studio is taking doing this and the chance they are taking with this lone fan. The drawback here is that this person will be thrust into the limelight themself. Something I'm opposed to as I've only ever wanted to live my life with privacy and solitude. Fame isn't what I personally want. What I want is to be able and go to the theater and see this movie in glorious IMAX or 3D. I believe in this so passionately that I'm willing to give that up to attain my goal and to ensure a success. There is also a symmetry here of X-23 attaining a life outside of what she was confined to, as this movie would give this 'fan' a chance to attain a new life they never dreamed of. (Sigh, can you say prime reality tv fodder? Cause I can, and it scares me to no end. I'm a staunch supporter of the fact reality tv came into existence because of a deal with the devil...)
Second, an as-yet-undetermined amount of profits should go to a charity for abuse victims. The story itself deals with this heavily, and what better way to respect the story than to do just that; help those in situations as bad. This also hopefully will curtail another piece of the piracy puzzle, and show the people who made this to be caring individuals out to help the world, the economy, and fans by doing it justice and keeping its soul intact to do so.
Third, a promise from Fox to maintain as much accuracy as they can, since this story has minimal to no real superhero costumes. It is simply the story of a girl growing up, making a friend, and dealing with family.
Fourth, the casting can reflect the parallels of a child star or pop idol. X-23 was created as a weapon to be used, so an actress who was raised in the limelight to be a star would allow this parallel to be pushed, and add a layer of symbolism that could, if done right, give Marvel an actual Oscar contender.
Fifth, pushing in trailers about the daughter wolverine didn't know he had. This angle, and general 'sisterhood of the traveling pants' type familial focus could help gain female viewers as Twilight has. Unlike Twilight, Laura is a postive role model for women as she's trying to improve her life and live inspite of what the people who created her want her to be. She's choosing her own destiny thanks to her mother, what daughter could ask for more when the world is pushing them down?
Sixth is the release day. October 23rd, 2013. This date falls on a Wednesday in the heart of a season full of horror movies. It is not your typical big budget release date, but this isn't exactly a big budget action movie either. The date reflects the title being 10/23 itself and gains them 2 extra days on the box office weekend returns. It also allows for a big push from Marvel to have 'Daughter' variant covers on all the Marvel titles released that day. They can even call it 'X-23 Day'. 2013 itself is the perfect year because if you switch the 2 and the 1 in 2013 you get 10-23 or X-23. X is the roman numeral for 10 after all. Oh, and speaking of 10, 2013 is also the ten year anniversary for X-23 since her creation in X-Men Evolution. Seriously, talk about convenient.
Seventh is the budget. This film doesn't require ample amounts of money thrown at it unlike Iron Man, or Captain America, or any other comic adaption's price tag. This film could be comfortably done at around Scott Pilgrim's 60 Million, or at most around the first X-Men movie's budget (depending on the cost of 3D if used). Using practical effects to make it look better would also curtail chunks of the budget to be marketed. This makes the risk less on the studio, and the returns higher for all those associated, including the chunk that goes to charity.
Speculative Casting:
Laura Kinney AKA X-23 - The starring role. A brunette caucasian actress who can pass for a 14-17 year old girl. Being a child-star a plus. Someone who can convey innocence and a childlike nature, while still capable of conveying an eerie level of violence in just a look. This role needs someone with star power behind it that can play to a modern generation and not solely the Firefly generation.
Lucy Hale
Selena Gomez
Malese Jow
Indie Eisley
Phoebe Tonkin
Victoria Justice
Elise Gatien
Dr. Sarah Kinney - Laura's Mother and creator. A caucasian brunette actress who can play the age ranges of 24-35. Someone preferably with a lyrical voice that's suitable for narration. This is pivotal to the first half and its narration. It's reminiscent of A Diary of Anne Frank stage play type narration.
Eliza Dushku
Summer Glau
Alyson Hannigan
Pauley Perrette
Daniela Ruah
Angela Sarafyan
Renée Felice Smith
Dr. Zander Rice - The man who fashioned Laura Kinney into the weapon she is. He has an unhealthy loathing for all things James Howlett for what happened to his own father. A caucasian actor who ranges from 24-40.
Barrett Foa
Joshua Jackson
Chris O'Donnell
Eric Christian Olsen
Kimura - X-23's invincible field handler in charge of keeping her in the project and following orders. An actress with looks that can range from 18-25. Someone who can do sadistic, abusive, cruel, and revel in it well.
Naya Rivera
Mila Kunis
Megan Kinney - Dr. Sarah Kinney's niece, Debra's Daughter, and Laura's cousin. She shows Laura what it's like to be a normal girl. A blonde caucasian actress who can play a 13-16 year old girl. Unknowns are welcome.
Ashley Benson
Britt Robertson
Debra Kinney - Megan's mother, Dr. Sarah Kinney's sister, and Laura Kinney's Aunt. She plays a key role in helping Laura start to become a 'real girl'. She's your typical single-mom who hasn't experienced any real form of adventure or horror outside of your typical real world matters. A brunette caucasian actress that looks in the range of 25 to 38. Unknowns are welcome.
>a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0329481/">Ginnifer Goodwin
Shiri Appleby
Delphine Chanéac
Summer Glau
Alyson Hannigan
Pauley Perrette
Ellen Pompeo
Daniela Ruah
Angela Sarafyan
Renée Felice Smith
Jenny Wade
James Howlett AKA Wolverine - Need I say more?
Hugh Jackman is the only choice for this. He IS Wolverine, and no actor could do it better.
Megan's French Teacher - Used for one of the comedic scenes to break the tension of the film.
Jamie Hyneman
Megan's Biology Teacher - Used for one of the comedic scenes to break the tension of the film.
Adam Savage
There are other roles too of course, but these are the basic headlining roles with the most screen time. Well besides the teachers, they only have one scene each, but I had to 'fan' cast those for the obvious references in the mini itself anyway.
The Spin: Having this movie adhere to the origin mini-series closely gives much respect to the character and work that should make fans happy, while still at the same time proving to Hollywood that an accurate adaption can still fit in continuity to movies that have diverged and appease general audiences. It shows fans that just because a universe is completely different, doesn't mean that things that were changed, can't be used by writers with tact who know what they are doing and have researched the subject. Yes, Marvel themselves are proving this with the Avengers Assemble line-up of movies, but Fox has yet to prove themselves capable of this. This is changing hopefully with Wolverine 2 coming soon, but that shouldn't be the only one to do it to push the point. A multi-fire approach gains the fans multiple examples of accuracy to prove it works on the off-chance one of them doesn't.
This movie idea is one that plays up the classic era of sci-fi cinema that is lacking in Hollywood today. A story focused on character drive, with a climax and resolution that would make audiences discuss it without bowing to shock value to attain it like Splice attempted. It'd raise the question of human rights, what a weapon is, and what she's guilty of or should be held responsible for. A thought-provoking movie that would keep making audiences come back for more to catch every detail as it would be talked about for decades to come. Is she a child, or a weapon; the daughter Wolverine never knew he had.
Production Materials:
This concept work does not reflect what the final title could or should be, the title is only tentative if this idea even gets off the ground.
So far, all I have is the one spec poster, but more are to follow to depict each candidate, as well as the various tag lines and other characters. I also have trailer music I've spliced together and am working on getting a spec trailer together to also put here. So that will come someday, probably not soon though sadly as I have to gather clips and alter clips to use under fair use and research what the limits are associated to that.
Why Hollywood needs to do this now:
X-23 will be making her first splash to general audiences (outside of traditional animation) in the upcoming Marvel vs Capcom 3 video game. Many idle fans of those games have no clue who she is, but it gives them an awareness of the fact she's a Marvel character. X-23 currently has her own on-going comic which this movie could help bolster the sales of. Right now, we're knee-deep into a season of strong female protagonists that cater to all audiences again, and while in this trend the iron needs to be struck while it's hot. This movie would prove the superhero genre is long from dead so long as it is in capable hands and the material well-warranted. With movies like Bubblegum Crisis in the works, Sucker Punch about to be released, the anime NOIR being made into a series by Raimi, Buffy the Vampire Slayer being remade, and other iconic women in film history that have paved the way, it's time for one to stand out and show that a strong female protagonist can be both a role-model, and a film audiences will gobble up faster than the Turkey dinner on Thanksgiving. This film also does what classic cinema does, preying on the modern fears of cloning prevalent in society. By making the audience think, it does what very few modern movies do today, and like inception did, would get audiences coming back repeatedly for more.
With using as close adhesion as possible to her origin in the first one, it allows the sequels, if warranted, to diverge freely. Any sequel to this can be as open ended as they like to continue the potential without worry. This would be the Fox Universe X-23 and not the comics afterall, and really for now, only her origin is needed to be accurate. The rest can go any direction needed so long as it continues the motif of making the audience ponder the predicament. This also alleviates the issue of NYX on-screen, or her other random appearances until an Academy X movie, or tv series. The premise is to introduce Laura Kinney AKA X-23 to world-wide audiences accurately, and leave the door open to go any which way they want afterwards. In fact, it'd be prefered that everything after her Origin is different; to allow X-23 to define herself as a self-sustaining franchise. If Fox sits idly on their hands, this sweeping trend will pass them by.
If Marvel, Fox, or Hugh Jackman's production company is interesed in pursuing my idea they can reach me at my e-mail address here where I can divulge whatever contact info is needed to seriously discuss this and the possibilities once I've verified that it truly is them contacting me. Yes, I've even pondered the burning question about this: What makes me think I'm uniquely qualified over the thousands of fans that attempt this everyday for fun.
So please, if you feel this is a good plan, spread the link to this blog entry as much as you can to reach the masses. Maybe, just maybe, if I'm lucky, it'll finally be seen by someone at Marvel, or Fox since nothing else has worked. If enough news can be generated about this very entry, maybe this idea can actually move forward in a timely enough manner to reach the projected prime marketing release date of 10/23/2013. So any news outlet carrying a link to this would be graciously thanked for their help, just as I understand that if Marvel or Fox do this without me, it is within their right. I'll still be the first in line to see it if that happens! Doing it that way, I cannot guarantee the success of it though personally, and will not accept any blame if it does poorly at the box office or on DVD. As it shouldn't though, that's a risk they could be willing to take. Here's hoping Fox does have a heart, and grants this 'Flake of Snow' simply the chance to be heard.
Gah. Okay, I've been working on this for 2 days, and just need to publish it. Minor bits may change later to make it flow better and all that jazz. For this exact moment though, my brain is just fried times 23. For now life is calling to come back to it instead of dreaming about something that will never happen. I may take a break from this blog itself for awhile because of just how much this entailed and I need a break from X-23 to remain clear headed for other ventures.
I have a script
I have gone about this not as well as I should have, and for that I apologize. With the system setup as it is, I wasn't left with much of an option. I'm drowned out by thousands of fans who want what typical fans do. They want her shoe-horned into any random movie, they want Summer Glau to play her, they want Fox to give the rights back to Marvel, they want all these things that are counter-productive to making a successful franchise movie or is counter-intuitive to drawing a large audience.
This needs to be done right to become a franchise and a hit. I know, saying all this on an X-23 fan blog, outright complaining about fans is counter-intuitive to the very thing I need, which is fan hits. My goal isn't the same as theirs. I want an X-23 film to be made, and I want it to be true to who she is and what she's experienced. I want it to be a franchise that's rich with possibilities, and not simply some minor cameo that's forgettable. I want to push X-23 to Twilight level stardom; to Transformers level box office returns. Marvel has already created the ground work for this potential with the magnificent origin mini-series written by Christopher Yost and Craig Kyle, so that's exactly what should be adapted. It's not that I know better than the thousands of fans out there, it's just that I want something different than what they keep proposing from their fanboy bias and tunnel vision.
To this end, I've realized I'm going to have to take an alternative route to reach my goals. This blog has always been here for me to celebrate the character X-23, and toss around these ideas, so I thought it might finally be time I did just that. So remember, this is a blog, not how I'd write to send something professionally. This is just me rambling off all of what I want to do in my more casual and natural written voice as opposed to what I call 'business speak' or 'professional writing.' I like to keep things on this blog more casual to avoid arrogance or being pretentious.
The script itself is mildly under-wraps, it does have changes from the two mini-series it's based on(Innocence Lost, and Target X), but they are changes for time constraints, and for character usage to fit as well as getting the rating to remain at PG-13 due to the subject matter. It is essentially 90% the same, 5% for time and character changes(film rights issues), and 5% to heighten the emotional impact and attempt to keep the rating within needed parameters. Due to the nature of the biz; I don't want my ideas stolen, but to gain an actual dialogue with Marvel or Fox. I am keeping the script to myself and the few I've let read it as a blind test audience for how it would play out on general audiences. I would like for it to only be in Fox & Marvel's hands, but even without that, it is their intellectual property I'm using, just as the mini-series it's derived from are their property. So I understand whole-heartedly they could do this without me. To be frank, if they do, I'm fine with that so long as they do it right, and cast appropriately as they have in the past. My main fear here is if they do the opposite of what I'm saying here and it bombs so they blame the character, and not the choices. Hence why I offer the dual scapegoats of doing it accurately, AND being able to blame it all on a fan not in the biz for pushing it. To be fair though, I'm only willing to take the blame if I actually have a credited hand in it. That's fair isn't it? They take the credit for the success it will be, I take the blame if by some random chance it flops.
The pitch: X-23 is Nikita meets Splice, with a dash of Life Unexpected. It has overtones of Pinnochio but in the modern world, along with elements of Cinderella, but a Cinderella not saved by a prince, but by her own hand and family.
Proposed Release Date: Wednesday, October 23rd, 2013 (The Year of X-23's Ten Year Anniversary. It'll have been ten years since her premiere on X-Men Evolution in August of 2003.)
Synopsis: Laura Kinney is a girl unlike any other. Her father is Wolverine, a man she's never met. She was born into a world that makes her kill so they get money. She's never known what being a real girl is like. That is, until one day her mother sends her away to her extended family, but will Laura's "owners" be okay with this?
Marketing: The marketing plan is crucial to this attaining Twilight or Transformers level stardom and returns.
First, start off by announcing where the script came from: a fan who was born on 10/23, and did ample amounts of research to make sure it maintained accuracy for fans, and yet still would be able to appease general audiences. Going this route on attaching a 'fan' under the set criteria above also lessens the impact of piracy because the fans would be hurting one of their own. Granted that's never stopped them before, but at least it could make some hesitant. It also gives studios an out if it unexpectedly does poorly. It was written by a 'fanboy' and would be the end of this just starting career in film writing. (Mind you, I'm fine with this as X-23 is one of only 3 things I'd like to actually write a film for.) This angle also yields a new promotion manner, being the person behind this marketing plan, and so involved in the choices of the film lets this person be perfect for the Morning Show/Talk Show circuit to push the chance the studio is taking doing this and the chance they are taking with this lone fan. The drawback here is that this person will be thrust into the limelight themself. Something I'm opposed to as I've only ever wanted to live my life with privacy and solitude. Fame isn't what I personally want. What I want is to be able and go to the theater and see this movie in glorious IMAX or 3D. I believe in this so passionately that I'm willing to give that up to attain my goal and to ensure a success. There is also a symmetry here of X-23 attaining a life outside of what she was confined to, as this movie would give this 'fan' a chance to attain a new life they never dreamed of. (Sigh, can you say prime reality tv fodder? Cause I can, and it scares me to no end. I'm a staunch supporter of the fact reality tv came into existence because of a deal with the devil...)
Second, an as-yet-undetermined amount of profits should go to a charity for abuse victims. The story itself deals with this heavily, and what better way to respect the story than to do just that; help those in situations as bad. This also hopefully will curtail another piece of the piracy puzzle, and show the people who made this to be caring individuals out to help the world, the economy, and fans by doing it justice and keeping its soul intact to do so.
Third, a promise from Fox to maintain as much accuracy as they can, since this story has minimal to no real superhero costumes. It is simply the story of a girl growing up, making a friend, and dealing with family.
Fourth, the casting can reflect the parallels of a child star or pop idol. X-23 was created as a weapon to be used, so an actress who was raised in the limelight to be a star would allow this parallel to be pushed, and add a layer of symbolism that could, if done right, give Marvel an actual Oscar contender.
Fifth, pushing in trailers about the daughter wolverine didn't know he had. This angle, and general 'sisterhood of the traveling pants' type familial focus could help gain female viewers as Twilight has. Unlike Twilight, Laura is a postive role model for women as she's trying to improve her life and live inspite of what the people who created her want her to be. She's choosing her own destiny thanks to her mother, what daughter could ask for more when the world is pushing them down?
Sixth is the release day. October 23rd, 2013. This date falls on a Wednesday in the heart of a season full of horror movies. It is not your typical big budget release date, but this isn't exactly a big budget action movie either. The date reflects the title being 10/23 itself and gains them 2 extra days on the box office weekend returns. It also allows for a big push from Marvel to have 'Daughter' variant covers on all the Marvel titles released that day. They can even call it 'X-23 Day'. 2013 itself is the perfect year because if you switch the 2 and the 1 in 2013 you get 10-23 or X-23. X is the roman numeral for 10 after all. Oh, and speaking of 10, 2013 is also the ten year anniversary for X-23 since her creation in X-Men Evolution. Seriously, talk about convenient.
Seventh is the budget. This film doesn't require ample amounts of money thrown at it unlike Iron Man, or Captain America, or any other comic adaption's price tag. This film could be comfortably done at around Scott Pilgrim's 60 Million, or at most around the first X-Men movie's budget (depending on the cost of 3D if used). Using practical effects to make it look better would also curtail chunks of the budget to be marketed. This makes the risk less on the studio, and the returns higher for all those associated, including the chunk that goes to charity.
Speculative Casting:
Laura Kinney AKA X-23 - The starring role. A brunette caucasian actress who can pass for a 14-17 year old girl. Being a child-star a plus. Someone who can convey innocence and a childlike nature, while still capable of conveying an eerie level of violence in just a look. This role needs someone with star power behind it that can play to a modern generation and not solely the Firefly generation.
Lucy Hale
Selena Gomez
Malese Jow
Indie Eisley
Phoebe Tonkin
Victoria Justice
Elise Gatien
Dr. Sarah Kinney - Laura's Mother and creator. A caucasian brunette actress who can play the age ranges of 24-35. Someone preferably with a lyrical voice that's suitable for narration. This is pivotal to the first half and its narration. It's reminiscent of A Diary of Anne Frank stage play type narration.
Eliza Dushku
Summer Glau
Alyson Hannigan
Pauley Perrette
Daniela Ruah
Angela Sarafyan
Renée Felice Smith
Dr. Zander Rice - The man who fashioned Laura Kinney into the weapon she is. He has an unhealthy loathing for all things James Howlett for what happened to his own father. A caucasian actor who ranges from 24-40.
Barrett Foa
Joshua Jackson
Chris O'Donnell
Eric Christian Olsen
Kimura - X-23's invincible field handler in charge of keeping her in the project and following orders. An actress with looks that can range from 18-25. Someone who can do sadistic, abusive, cruel, and revel in it well.
Naya Rivera
Mila Kunis
Megan Kinney - Dr. Sarah Kinney's niece, Debra's Daughter, and Laura's cousin. She shows Laura what it's like to be a normal girl. A blonde caucasian actress who can play a 13-16 year old girl. Unknowns are welcome.
Ashley Benson
Britt Robertson
Debra Kinney - Megan's mother, Dr. Sarah Kinney's sister, and Laura Kinney's Aunt. She plays a key role in helping Laura start to become a 'real girl'. She's your typical single-mom who hasn't experienced any real form of adventure or horror outside of your typical real world matters. A brunette caucasian actress that looks in the range of 25 to 38. Unknowns are welcome.
>a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0329481/">Ginnifer Goodwin
Shiri Appleby
Delphine Chanéac
Summer Glau
Alyson Hannigan
Pauley Perrette
Ellen Pompeo
Daniela Ruah
Angela Sarafyan
Renée Felice Smith
Jenny Wade
James Howlett AKA Wolverine - Need I say more?
Hugh Jackman is the only choice for this. He IS Wolverine, and no actor could do it better.
Megan's French Teacher - Used for one of the comedic scenes to break the tension of the film.
Jamie Hyneman
Megan's Biology Teacher - Used for one of the comedic scenes to break the tension of the film.
Adam Savage
There are other roles too of course, but these are the basic headlining roles with the most screen time. Well besides the teachers, they only have one scene each, but I had to 'fan' cast those for the obvious references in the mini itself anyway.
The Spin: Having this movie adhere to the origin mini-series closely gives much respect to the character and work that should make fans happy, while still at the same time proving to Hollywood that an accurate adaption can still fit in continuity to movies that have diverged and appease general audiences. It shows fans that just because a universe is completely different, doesn't mean that things that were changed, can't be used by writers with tact who know what they are doing and have researched the subject. Yes, Marvel themselves are proving this with the Avengers Assemble line-up of movies, but Fox has yet to prove themselves capable of this. This is changing hopefully with Wolverine 2 coming soon, but that shouldn't be the only one to do it to push the point. A multi-fire approach gains the fans multiple examples of accuracy to prove it works on the off-chance one of them doesn't.
This movie idea is one that plays up the classic era of sci-fi cinema that is lacking in Hollywood today. A story focused on character drive, with a climax and resolution that would make audiences discuss it without bowing to shock value to attain it like Splice attempted. It'd raise the question of human rights, what a weapon is, and what she's guilty of or should be held responsible for. A thought-provoking movie that would keep making audiences come back for more to catch every detail as it would be talked about for decades to come. Is she a child, or a weapon; the daughter Wolverine never knew he had.
Production Materials:
This concept work does not reflect what the final title could or should be, the title is only tentative if this idea even gets off the ground.
So far, all I have is the one spec poster, but more are to follow to depict each candidate, as well as the various tag lines and other characters. I also have trailer music I've spliced together and am working on getting a spec trailer together to also put here. So that will come someday, probably not soon though sadly as I have to gather clips and alter clips to use under fair use and research what the limits are associated to that.
Why Hollywood needs to do this now:
X-23 will be making her first splash to general audiences (outside of traditional animation) in the upcoming Marvel vs Capcom 3 video game. Many idle fans of those games have no clue who she is, but it gives them an awareness of the fact she's a Marvel character. X-23 currently has her own on-going comic which this movie could help bolster the sales of. Right now, we're knee-deep into a season of strong female protagonists that cater to all audiences again, and while in this trend the iron needs to be struck while it's hot. This movie would prove the superhero genre is long from dead so long as it is in capable hands and the material well-warranted. With movies like Bubblegum Crisis in the works, Sucker Punch about to be released, the anime NOIR being made into a series by Raimi, Buffy the Vampire Slayer being remade, and other iconic women in film history that have paved the way, it's time for one to stand out and show that a strong female protagonist can be both a role-model, and a film audiences will gobble up faster than the Turkey dinner on Thanksgiving. This film also does what classic cinema does, preying on the modern fears of cloning prevalent in society. By making the audience think, it does what very few modern movies do today, and like inception did, would get audiences coming back repeatedly for more.
With using as close adhesion as possible to her origin in the first one, it allows the sequels, if warranted, to diverge freely. Any sequel to this can be as open ended as they like to continue the potential without worry. This would be the Fox Universe X-23 and not the comics afterall, and really for now, only her origin is needed to be accurate. The rest can go any direction needed so long as it continues the motif of making the audience ponder the predicament. This also alleviates the issue of NYX on-screen, or her other random appearances until an Academy X movie, or tv series. The premise is to introduce Laura Kinney AKA X-23 to world-wide audiences accurately, and leave the door open to go any which way they want afterwards. In fact, it'd be prefered that everything after her Origin is different; to allow X-23 to define herself as a self-sustaining franchise. If Fox sits idly on their hands, this sweeping trend will pass them by.
If Marvel, Fox, or Hugh Jackman's production company is interesed in pursuing my idea they can reach me at my e-mail address here where I can divulge whatever contact info is needed to seriously discuss this and the possibilities once I've verified that it truly is them contacting me. Yes, I've even pondered the burning question about this: What makes me think I'm uniquely qualified over the thousands of fans that attempt this everyday for fun.
So please, if you feel this is a good plan, spread the link to this blog entry as much as you can to reach the masses. Maybe, just maybe, if I'm lucky, it'll finally be seen by someone at Marvel, or Fox since nothing else has worked. If enough news can be generated about this very entry, maybe this idea can actually move forward in a timely enough manner to reach the projected prime marketing release date of 10/23/2013. So any news outlet carrying a link to this would be graciously thanked for their help, just as I understand that if Marvel or Fox do this without me, it is within their right. I'll still be the first in line to see it if that happens! Doing it that way, I cannot guarantee the success of it though personally, and will not accept any blame if it does poorly at the box office or on DVD. As it shouldn't though, that's a risk they could be willing to take. Here's hoping Fox does have a heart, and grants this 'Flake of Snow' simply the chance to be heard.
Gah. Okay, I've been working on this for 2 days, and just need to publish it. Minor bits may change later to make it flow better and all that jazz. For this exact moment though, my brain is just fried times 23. For now life is calling to come back to it instead of dreaming about something that will never happen. I may take a break from this blog itself for awhile because of just how much this entailed and I need a break from X-23 to remain clear headed for other ventures.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Fan Casting Laura Kinney part 3
Outdated: Please refer to Fan Concepts: Casting an X-23 Live Action Origin Feature Part Who Knows & Dream Movie: X-23 Daughter of Wolverine as they are up to date for the foreseeable future.
Modern Actresses that could pull off X-23 for her own origin Feature film.
Sorry, this means no Summer Glau, no Eliza Dushku, no Mandy Moore, and no Kristin Kreuk.
As much as I adore their work. They are just too old for an origins piece. Maybe if this was an X-Force film. We need someone who can do a passable 12-14 year old girl. That's just outside their current range as the last school roles they played were all seniors, 18 years old at the minimum. Mandy Moore (she was a tough choice to cut from Laura, as she still exudes youth, but she does carry an air of 17 minimum to her look) hasn't done a teen role since 2004, in which she played a High School Senior. Dushku made this quite apparent as well in Tru Calling where she even called herself a 'mature highschooler' trying to blend in with teens during one of her repeat day tasks. Glau on the other hand, has made herself seem perfect for the role of Dr. Kinney after her portrayal in DollHouse as one of the 'mad' scientists. Kreuk, while having the stunt training from Chun-Li, has an air of a college woman, as seen recently in Chuck.
Any of those four would make for a perfect Dr. Sarah Kinney though.
So who does that leave for an X-23 movie?
Elise Gatien
Gia Mantegna
Italia Ricci
Lucy Hale
Selena Gomez
Victoria Justice
These six, that's right within their range.
Personally, so far my vote goes to Selena Gomez. She's got the softer skin that works, the defined eyebrows, and a more innocent, soft look to her that just fits the dichotomy of the character's own innocence and violence. Doesn't hurt that it also plays up to the parallels of creating a pop star. She also has star power to draw in an audience that otherwise would have missed or ignored the trailers to tell if this was their kind of movie or not. Disney owning Marvel makes this more likely, and honestly perfect for the symbolism and parallels the film could contain. It also gives a potential air of indie film that mocks the teeny bopper genre. Lots of levels with that casting that can work in the movies style flavor and symbolism.
Victoria Justice works quite well for many of the same reasons as Selena Gomez. She has star power, drawing power, the more effeminate innocent appeal, and she can play up the parallel of a pop star as well thanks to nickelodeon raising her in the limelight. She also has mild stunt training thanks to "The Boy Who Cried Werewolf." The conflict of Nickelodeon and Disney may be an issue.
Lucy Hale would honestly be my second choice after Selena Gomez. She's got the look just like Gomez does. She also matches up to the parallels like Gomez, and Justice do being a child star herself. Thanks to her recent run on Pretty Little Liars, we've also seen that she can pull off the innocence look quite well, just as she can switch to furious quickly as would be needed.
Her and Gomez could both give a performance that would be borderline hypnotic as the character herself is in the two origin miniseries. Their petite frames also yield an air of safety that could lul even the audience into a false sense of security, or for that matter, a sense of horror due to the child abuse nature of the first half of the story and Laura's creation. Hale is also a moderately Disney accessible star, as Pretty Little Liars is an ABC Family show.
Elise Gatien would be my third choice. She's got the look down almost perfect and fits all the criteria from conveying innocence to athletic prowess and appearing harmless in her demeanor. So far she's displayed the acting chops needed for this kind of role over in Cartoon Network's Tower Prep too as well as the stunt work that would be associated. The only problem here, would be the similiarities to the role she is already currently playing on Tower Prep. She also lacks any real star power behind her name as yet, but as she's displayed on screen so far, that could soon change.
Gia Mantegna of recent fame on Gigantic would also be one of my picks. She's got the look, though I know nothing of her acting skill. She was picked solely on looks alone.
Italia Ricci has already had some decent stunt training thanks to Unnatural History on Cartoon Network. Other than that she is an unknown to me on her potential.
Why the sudden talk of who's possible for Laura Kinney? Well that rant is coming soon that fully explains the recent (and previous!) girls who kick-ass trend in Hollywood, and why Fox Marvel needs to tap it now before it fades away for another few years like it has before.
Modern Actresses that could pull off X-23 for her own origin Feature film.
Sorry, this means no Summer Glau, no Eliza Dushku, no Mandy Moore, and no Kristin Kreuk.
As much as I adore their work. They are just too old for an origins piece. Maybe if this was an X-Force film. We need someone who can do a passable 12-14 year old girl. That's just outside their current range as the last school roles they played were all seniors, 18 years old at the minimum. Mandy Moore (she was a tough choice to cut from Laura, as she still exudes youth, but she does carry an air of 17 minimum to her look) hasn't done a teen role since 2004, in which she played a High School Senior. Dushku made this quite apparent as well in Tru Calling where she even called herself a 'mature highschooler' trying to blend in with teens during one of her repeat day tasks. Glau on the other hand, has made herself seem perfect for the role of Dr. Kinney after her portrayal in DollHouse as one of the 'mad' scientists. Kreuk, while having the stunt training from Chun-Li, has an air of a college woman, as seen recently in Chuck.
Any of those four would make for a perfect Dr. Sarah Kinney though.
So who does that leave for an X-23 movie?
Elise Gatien
Gia Mantegna
Italia Ricci
Lucy Hale
Selena Gomez
Victoria Justice
These six, that's right within their range.
Personally, so far my vote goes to Selena Gomez. She's got the softer skin that works, the defined eyebrows, and a more innocent, soft look to her that just fits the dichotomy of the character's own innocence and violence. Doesn't hurt that it also plays up to the parallels of creating a pop star. She also has star power to draw in an audience that otherwise would have missed or ignored the trailers to tell if this was their kind of movie or not. Disney owning Marvel makes this more likely, and honestly perfect for the symbolism and parallels the film could contain. It also gives a potential air of indie film that mocks the teeny bopper genre. Lots of levels with that casting that can work in the movies style flavor and symbolism.
Victoria Justice works quite well for many of the same reasons as Selena Gomez. She has star power, drawing power, the more effeminate innocent appeal, and she can play up the parallel of a pop star as well thanks to nickelodeon raising her in the limelight. She also has mild stunt training thanks to "The Boy Who Cried Werewolf." The conflict of Nickelodeon and Disney may be an issue.
Lucy Hale would honestly be my second choice after Selena Gomez. She's got the look just like Gomez does. She also matches up to the parallels like Gomez, and Justice do being a child star herself. Thanks to her recent run on Pretty Little Liars, we've also seen that she can pull off the innocence look quite well, just as she can switch to furious quickly as would be needed.
Her and Gomez could both give a performance that would be borderline hypnotic as the character herself is in the two origin miniseries. Their petite frames also yield an air of safety that could lul even the audience into a false sense of security, or for that matter, a sense of horror due to the child abuse nature of the first half of the story and Laura's creation. Hale is also a moderately Disney accessible star, as Pretty Little Liars is an ABC Family show.
Elise Gatien would be my third choice. She's got the look down almost perfect and fits all the criteria from conveying innocence to athletic prowess and appearing harmless in her demeanor. So far she's displayed the acting chops needed for this kind of role over in Cartoon Network's Tower Prep too as well as the stunt work that would be associated. The only problem here, would be the similiarities to the role she is already currently playing on Tower Prep. She also lacks any real star power behind her name as yet, but as she's displayed on screen so far, that could soon change.
Gia Mantegna of recent fame on Gigantic would also be one of my picks. She's got the look, though I know nothing of her acting skill. She was picked solely on looks alone.
Italia Ricci has already had some decent stunt training thanks to Unnatural History on Cartoon Network. Other than that she is an unknown to me on her potential.
Why the sudden talk of who's possible for Laura Kinney? Well that rant is coming soon that fully explains the recent (and previous!) girls who kick-ass trend in Hollywood, and why Fox Marvel needs to tap it now before it fades away for another few years like it has before.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
X-23 Day Special! -The Kinney Family-
Laura Kinney, is X-23, but she also has a family that she can't risk endangering ever.
It's an interesting question, considering all her training. She is the ultimate chess player. That's how she was trained, and she's been tasked with one mission above all else.
Never to betray them. Yet her only good memories, are of them.
This is a world of mutants, spies, and traitors, Kimura never yielding a moment on how she may find her, or them. She can't put those she holds dear in way of someone like Kimura. Does she even dare think about it without some telepath picking it up? When you think about this, it can make you wonder about how fitting it was for what Emma Frost did to Kimura with her memories of her grandmother. The same could be said about the kids from NYX, especially the shellshock factor of her killing Kiden in the future, just as she killed her mother before, and had to forsake ever seeing Megan and Debra. Everyone she's ever cared for has been ripped away, the second she's felt she belongs. Now even Julian, the first boy she's ever had I guess what could be described as a crush on, the same has happened to, by her own "Father's" possessed hand. All this, right after her team forsaked her when she was just trying to keep them protected from the beings that killed two thirds of their school, personally saving Mercury, and putting a stop to creatures solely created to kill mutants.
Megan Kineny is Laura's cousin, a girl that's about the same age as her. While Megan was hugging mommy, Laura was training in martial arts by Sensei Tanaka. A sensei she was forced to kill by the facility's first usage of trigger scent. When Megan was starting school and making friends, Laura was being beat by Kimura, to permanently let her know disobeying was never an option. That she could never escape. When Megan was kidnapped by a pedophile, Laura was the one who brought Megan to freedom and saved her. Even confined, her mother let Laura be the one to save Megan. For this she wasn't beat by Kimura. An act she repeated when she saved Henry Sutter, again without Kimura beating her. So when she escaped, Megan and Debra were where she ran to. Megan showed her what highschool life was like. The first person Laura could ever confide to. She helped them in ways she never knew. Mostly in an after school highway to heaven fashion really that brought Megan closer to her mother again. Even granting them the means to travel around the world and a fortune. Megan who showed her movie theaters where you actually watch the movie, roller coasters, highschool for a day, jewelry shopping for fun, even kittens, and puppies. The locket Laura carries around her neck has a picture of Megan and her Mother Sarah in it. Megan now travels with her mother in anonymity staying away from Kimura. Megan is the contrast to Laura's upbringing, a completely normal girl who was saved from what could have been a devestating event. This event is what triggered Megan's own outsider nature, which again acts as contrast to Laura being on the run as an outsider from the facility. Megan is just your typical average teenage girl, turned outcast because kids can be so cruel to each other.
Debra Kinney, sister of Sarah Kinney, aunt of Laura Kinney, is the mother of Megan Kinney. She was dating an undercover facility member plant in their home that nearly got her and her daughter killed when he attempted to use trigger scent on them. An event thwarted by the trust Laura had in telling Megan about it. Megan saved her mother, which allowed Laura to save them once again, and giving Debra back her daughter who had been haunted by the kidnappying years earlier until Laura told Megan, and Debra the truth. Debra took Laura in, gave her a home, and a family when she escaped from the facility. Debra is the only living connection Laura has to her Mother. While her boyfriend's ties to the facility were unknown to Debra, one would hope she has since learned about dating jerks.
These are the family members Laura can't dare even think about or something may find them. Family who is secure financially but ever moving around and always changing their names and stories. They could be anywhere or anyone, but they don't have the same training as Laura about keepsakes and scrapbooks...
Sarah Kinney, Laura's mother, was a pioneering geneticist who had more or less conceived her in science and in nature.
Sarah ultimately sacrificed herself to give Laura her freedom. Being the one constant in Laura's youth who cared for her (besides Sensei Tanaka who paid for his kindness with his life), was nice to her, and read to her. The facility used trigger scent, and made Laura kill her.
Nothing is known about their grandmother, and the only fact known about the grandfather was that he was a pedophile who abused Dr. Sarah Kinney. An old man who has long since died.
Yes, I realize this post rationalizes the X-23 v3 series, as it should though. The last time Laura let her guard down about any of her family, Emma Frost attempted to use the memory of Laura's mother to force Laura to leave the school. So even in the place that was to be her haven, her memories had been turned against her. Just think of what the bad guys could do, if the alleged good guys were this inclined.
It's an interesting question, considering all her training. She is the ultimate chess player. That's how she was trained, and she's been tasked with one mission above all else.
Never to betray them. Yet her only good memories, are of them.
This is a world of mutants, spies, and traitors, Kimura never yielding a moment on how she may find her, or them. She can't put those she holds dear in way of someone like Kimura. Does she even dare think about it without some telepath picking it up? When you think about this, it can make you wonder about how fitting it was for what Emma Frost did to Kimura with her memories of her grandmother. The same could be said about the kids from NYX, especially the shellshock factor of her killing Kiden in the future, just as she killed her mother before, and had to forsake ever seeing Megan and Debra. Everyone she's ever cared for has been ripped away, the second she's felt she belongs. Now even Julian, the first boy she's ever had I guess what could be described as a crush on, the same has happened to, by her own "Father's" possessed hand. All this, right after her team forsaked her when she was just trying to keep them protected from the beings that killed two thirds of their school, personally saving Mercury, and putting a stop to creatures solely created to kill mutants.
Megan Kineny is Laura's cousin, a girl that's about the same age as her. While Megan was hugging mommy, Laura was training in martial arts by Sensei Tanaka. A sensei she was forced to kill by the facility's first usage of trigger scent. When Megan was starting school and making friends, Laura was being beat by Kimura, to permanently let her know disobeying was never an option. That she could never escape. When Megan was kidnapped by a pedophile, Laura was the one who brought Megan to freedom and saved her. Even confined, her mother let Laura be the one to save Megan. For this she wasn't beat by Kimura. An act she repeated when she saved Henry Sutter, again without Kimura beating her. So when she escaped, Megan and Debra were where she ran to. Megan showed her what highschool life was like. The first person Laura could ever confide to. She helped them in ways she never knew. Mostly in an after school highway to heaven fashion really that brought Megan closer to her mother again. Even granting them the means to travel around the world and a fortune. Megan who showed her movie theaters where you actually watch the movie, roller coasters, highschool for a day, jewelry shopping for fun, even kittens, and puppies. The locket Laura carries around her neck has a picture of Megan and her Mother Sarah in it. Megan now travels with her mother in anonymity staying away from Kimura. Megan is the contrast to Laura's upbringing, a completely normal girl who was saved from what could have been a devestating event. This event is what triggered Megan's own outsider nature, which again acts as contrast to Laura being on the run as an outsider from the facility. Megan is just your typical average teenage girl, turned outcast because kids can be so cruel to each other.
Debra Kinney, sister of Sarah Kinney, aunt of Laura Kinney, is the mother of Megan Kinney. She was dating an undercover facility member plant in their home that nearly got her and her daughter killed when he attempted to use trigger scent on them. An event thwarted by the trust Laura had in telling Megan about it. Megan saved her mother, which allowed Laura to save them once again, and giving Debra back her daughter who had been haunted by the kidnappying years earlier until Laura told Megan, and Debra the truth. Debra took Laura in, gave her a home, and a family when she escaped from the facility. Debra is the only living connection Laura has to her Mother. While her boyfriend's ties to the facility were unknown to Debra, one would hope she has since learned about dating jerks.
These are the family members Laura can't dare even think about or something may find them. Family who is secure financially but ever moving around and always changing their names and stories. They could be anywhere or anyone, but they don't have the same training as Laura about keepsakes and scrapbooks...
Sarah Kinney, Laura's mother, was a pioneering geneticist who had more or less conceived her in science and in nature.
Sarah ultimately sacrificed herself to give Laura her freedom. Being the one constant in Laura's youth who cared for her (besides Sensei Tanaka who paid for his kindness with his life), was nice to her, and read to her. The facility used trigger scent, and made Laura kill her.
Nothing is known about their grandmother, and the only fact known about the grandfather was that he was a pedophile who abused Dr. Sarah Kinney. An old man who has long since died.
Yes, I realize this post rationalizes the X-23 v3 series, as it should though. The last time Laura let her guard down about any of her family, Emma Frost attempted to use the memory of Laura's mother to force Laura to leave the school. So even in the place that was to be her haven, her memories had been turned against her. Just think of what the bad guys could do, if the alleged good guys were this inclined.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Why the fear?
As we saw with the solicits earlier, issue 3 of X-23 is going to be different. Quite possibly thought provoking, or quite possibly cliche.
X-23 #3
Written by MARJORIE LIU
Penciled by WILL CONRAD
Cover by DANNI SHINYA LUO
Cast adrift, and hunted by those she once considered friends, X-23 is forced to confront the Devil himself to save her soul. If she even has a soul...
32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$2.99
It has me worried.
Laura Kinney is a character unlike many others. She's rich with possibilities. My fear lies within the age-old debate of whether or not clones have souls. To me this argument is moot with her. As she's more a test tube daughter than a clone, but that doesn't mean the current writer of her comic feels this way.
Marjorie Liu is a wonderfully talented woman, let me start off by saying this. I have greatly enjoyed her works, all except for her one-shot of X-23. It was a water testing comic though, so to speak.
With Laura Kinney's abuse in her past, and the psychological trauma she endured of being treated sub-human because they told her she's a clone and beat her, this small blurb for this issue reads as mysterious as it should. Only one woman knows the truth, and right now she's dead.
The part of it I find interesting, as a casual reader it's quite obvious. You work for a high-finance lab, that commits espionage and deals in murder. Do you really think they wouldn't notice that the egg cell stock is dropping twice as fast as what the record books show for the male trials that have taken place? Of course they'd notice. That's just how labs work. Careful inventory, redundancy checks, and more. On the books it's just not feasible for Dr. Sarah Kinney to have used their materials to create the embryo that became X-23. This and the physiology remark from Zander Rice in the mini-series all suggest Dr. Kinney had gotten the materials elsewhere for the embryo. A healthy young woman, who puts science ahead of morals, so it's kind of obvious where those materials came from. The green eyes, facial similarities, and hair of X-23 also speak to this.
X-23 going to hell, and the ramifications of if she has a soul from all the trauma she endured telling her she was sub-human, that she was a soulless beast, plays a huge factor in hindering this character's development into being a woman who thinks she's worth living. This issue could finally shed some light on subjects that could be a pivotal point for Laura Kinney.
Namely, her true origins. Marvel could finally cover this long overlooked facet of the character, to help push her onto the road of recovery. To prove to her she is the same as anyone else. She has a soul, and one woman who might be in hell could finally answer all this for her. One woman who has many acts she committed in the pursuit of science she regrets to the point that even an act of redemption in the end, may not have let her reach heaven's door, and even if it did, would her conscience let her do anything but condemn herself to hell?
Yes, that's right I speak of Dr. Sarah Kinney, X-23's mother. This issue could finally let the mother herself explain to Laura everything. A tearful reunion in a sea of chaos that is Wolverine in hell. If handled right, this could be a pivotal moment for Laura, a ground breaking comic covering the facets of science and creation, a comic that goes into detail of her importance to Dr. Kinney outside of science, a comic that touts all living things have souls, no matter how they came to be. A comic that finally decrees that Laura Kinney is not simply a female clone of Wolverine to all those that ignored the subtle details of her origin minis.
My fear? As great writing chops as Marjorie Liu has, would she dare do this? Would she take this road in a fledgling comic that's only on its third issue? Or will she balk at this oppurtunity to simply placate the masses and what they think they know is true about Laura Kinney, and help re-enforce even more horrendous cliches about clones not having souls, about Laura just simply being wolverine's clone who happens to be female? This is what worries me. Will Marjorie Liu step up to the challenge and truly give a thought provoking and pioneering story such as Innocence Lost, and Target X gave us, or will she fizzle out and fall back to old habits as her X-23 oneshot depicted.
Only time will tell.
It both worries me, and has me cautiously optimistic. This issue could be the pivotal X-23 issue in anyone's collection, or it could be just another rehash of regurgitated crap you'd see in any anti-science right wing nut's home.
This issue could truly define Liu's career for ages to come, or it could be the second omen of her decline into comic author obscurity. I hope she proves up to the challenge, but I remain cautiously optimistic about it. In this modern age of writers attempting to one up another, and literally crap on other's work, it worries me that she may attempt to make X-23 as she sees fit in a manner that is dentrimental to what the character is. Or at worse, it may just be filler for the masses that really tells us nothing or hides behind Beezle-Bub's mind games. So will Liu step up to the challenge? Or will this be another story that'll be retconned in some manner far later like Laura's early Uncanny X-Men appearances were.
X-23 #3
Written by MARJORIE LIU
Penciled by WILL CONRAD
Cover by DANNI SHINYA LUO
Cast adrift, and hunted by those she once considered friends, X-23 is forced to confront the Devil himself to save her soul. If she even has a soul...
32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$2.99
It has me worried.
Laura Kinney is a character unlike many others. She's rich with possibilities. My fear lies within the age-old debate of whether or not clones have souls. To me this argument is moot with her. As she's more a test tube daughter than a clone, but that doesn't mean the current writer of her comic feels this way.
Marjorie Liu is a wonderfully talented woman, let me start off by saying this. I have greatly enjoyed her works, all except for her one-shot of X-23. It was a water testing comic though, so to speak.
With Laura Kinney's abuse in her past, and the psychological trauma she endured of being treated sub-human because they told her she's a clone and beat her, this small blurb for this issue reads as mysterious as it should. Only one woman knows the truth, and right now she's dead.
The part of it I find interesting, as a casual reader it's quite obvious. You work for a high-finance lab, that commits espionage and deals in murder. Do you really think they wouldn't notice that the egg cell stock is dropping twice as fast as what the record books show for the male trials that have taken place? Of course they'd notice. That's just how labs work. Careful inventory, redundancy checks, and more. On the books it's just not feasible for Dr. Sarah Kinney to have used their materials to create the embryo that became X-23. This and the physiology remark from Zander Rice in the mini-series all suggest Dr. Kinney had gotten the materials elsewhere for the embryo. A healthy young woman, who puts science ahead of morals, so it's kind of obvious where those materials came from. The green eyes, facial similarities, and hair of X-23 also speak to this.
X-23 going to hell, and the ramifications of if she has a soul from all the trauma she endured telling her she was sub-human, that she was a soulless beast, plays a huge factor in hindering this character's development into being a woman who thinks she's worth living. This issue could finally shed some light on subjects that could be a pivotal point for Laura Kinney.
Namely, her true origins. Marvel could finally cover this long overlooked facet of the character, to help push her onto the road of recovery. To prove to her she is the same as anyone else. She has a soul, and one woman who might be in hell could finally answer all this for her. One woman who has many acts she committed in the pursuit of science she regrets to the point that even an act of redemption in the end, may not have let her reach heaven's door, and even if it did, would her conscience let her do anything but condemn herself to hell?
Yes, that's right I speak of Dr. Sarah Kinney, X-23's mother. This issue could finally let the mother herself explain to Laura everything. A tearful reunion in a sea of chaos that is Wolverine in hell. If handled right, this could be a pivotal moment for Laura, a ground breaking comic covering the facets of science and creation, a comic that goes into detail of her importance to Dr. Kinney outside of science, a comic that touts all living things have souls, no matter how they came to be. A comic that finally decrees that Laura Kinney is not simply a female clone of Wolverine to all those that ignored the subtle details of her origin minis.
My fear? As great writing chops as Marjorie Liu has, would she dare do this? Would she take this road in a fledgling comic that's only on its third issue? Or will she balk at this oppurtunity to simply placate the masses and what they think they know is true about Laura Kinney, and help re-enforce even more horrendous cliches about clones not having souls, about Laura just simply being wolverine's clone who happens to be female? This is what worries me. Will Marjorie Liu step up to the challenge and truly give a thought provoking and pioneering story such as Innocence Lost, and Target X gave us, or will she fizzle out and fall back to old habits as her X-23 oneshot depicted.
Only time will tell.
It both worries me, and has me cautiously optimistic. This issue could be the pivotal X-23 issue in anyone's collection, or it could be just another rehash of regurgitated crap you'd see in any anti-science right wing nut's home.
This issue could truly define Liu's career for ages to come, or it could be the second omen of her decline into comic author obscurity. I hope she proves up to the challenge, but I remain cautiously optimistic about it. In this modern age of writers attempting to one up another, and literally crap on other's work, it worries me that she may attempt to make X-23 as she sees fit in a manner that is dentrimental to what the character is. Or at worse, it may just be filler for the masses that really tells us nothing or hides behind Beezle-Bub's mind games. So will Liu step up to the challenge? Or will this be another story that'll be retconned in some manner far later like Laura's early Uncanny X-Men appearances were.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Long Hiatus Blues...
Due to recent life events, I've been stuck away from writing, and working on things more than I'd like. Thankfully, I'm due for a reprieve soon. I hope to get this blog and my other two back on track as my life slowly starts to settle back down.
Again I apologize for this long hiatus. In the future I hope to cover a myriad of more topics, as well as the retro-reviews I'm missing. This will include more fan art appreciation, other fan blog appreciation (yes, they have to be out there somewhere, I can't be the first to attempt this), and more mock-ups and rants from an idle fan.
So here's to the future. No longer have a reason to leave this state.
Again I apologize for this long hiatus. In the future I hope to cover a myriad of more topics, as well as the retro-reviews I'm missing. This will include more fan art appreciation, other fan blog appreciation (yes, they have to be out there somewhere, I can't be the first to attempt this), and more mock-ups and rants from an idle fan.
So here's to the future. No longer have a reason to leave this state.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Snowflakian Custom Figures
So I tend to get bored on slow news days, no new comics to read, and I'm procastinating retro reviews. Over the past several months of nothing new mentioned in MU relating to X-23, I've decided to start making customs of her.
Months later, now I've got 6 different custom figures of her that I thought I'd share.
X-Men Evolution Covert Ops Suit from the intro.
X-Men Evolution (Cat Girl anime stylized) X-23
Academy X (Fox Movie-Universe stylized) Graduation Costume.
X-Force
Plain Clothes with cowboy hat.
DarkHawk Armor X-23 (A 'What if X-23 found an Order of the Raptors Amulet' Variant.)
More of this work can be found over at ToyArk.
Months later, now I've got 6 different custom figures of her that I thought I'd share.
X-Men Evolution Covert Ops Suit from the intro.
X-Men Evolution (Cat Girl anime stylized) X-23
Academy X (Fox Movie-Universe stylized) Graduation Costume.
X-Force
Plain Clothes with cowboy hat.
DarkHawk Armor X-23 (A 'What if X-23 found an Order of the Raptors Amulet' Variant.)
More of this work can be found over at ToyArk.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)