POBB April 27, 2022

Pick of the Brown Bag

April 27, 2022

by 

Ray Tate 

Welcome to the Pick of the Brown Bag.  In this special edition I review the film The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent.   Also known as the one where Nicolas Cage plays himself.

This is a surprising, hilarious film that also benefits from one helluva cast.  The story begins with a well choreographed action sequence that one may find in any good suspense film.  You may wonder what it's doing in a comedy, but this is the initial motivating force of the main plot twist.

The movie cuts next to our star Nicolas Cage in full Nicolas Cage mode.  This obviously is not Cage portraying his biographical self but rather a slice of his true personality mixed with reflective bits and pieces gleaned from other people.  What's interesting is that blended together, the end product resembles a comedic and tragic figure that works extremely well in character-based comedy.

Self-deprecation catalyzes Nicholas' journey and simultaneously introduces Cage's fictional inner circle.  Sharon Horgan, Lilly Sheen and Neil Patrick Harris essay these roles.  With only Harris demonstrating overt comedy chops.  The problems associated with Cage's ex-wife and his daughter are all part of the more nuanced gag, a send-up of biopics creating weight to tabloid gossip.

Unbearable goes off the rails in a good way when Nicholas Cage meets his number one fan, olive millionaire Javi Gutierrez, played by chameleon actor Pedro Pascal.  Yes, the Mandalorian.   Funny, that word isn't in the dictionary yet and requires spell check learning. 

Now, we enter absurd comedy nevertheless drawing strongly on several Abbot and Costello films.  In some of Bud's and Lou's movies such as Meets Frankenstein and The Time of Their Lives, Abbot and Costello played different characters, always comedic, in plots with dramatic consequences.

Backed by an able support team including a shockingly skull shaven Tiffany Haddish and Ike Barrinholtz, playing it straight, Nicholas Cage becomes Nicholas Cage reluctant action hero.  

In these scenes, the filmmakers parody the idea that if an actor or actress can do their own stunts they are better equipped to survive life and death situations.  They are in essence their characters.  

This farce serves Cage in curious set-pieces that evolve naturally out of a strong script.  They're at once typical of action films but also benefitting from atypical deviations.

Unbearable is a very strange, funny film and highly meta, but in ways you really don't expect.  The comedy is so well-acted, so well-directed that sometimes the dramatic moments suck you in, particularly the bromance between Cage and Javi, and you fall for the joke.

POBB April 15, 2022

 

Pick of the Brown Bag

April 15, 2022

by

Ray Tate

Welcome to part two of the Pick of the Brown Bag's recent Spider-Man comics exploration.  Last post I discussed the first of the overlapping series Amazing Spider-Man Beyond.  Mainly.

In summary, Iron Fist cast members Colleen Wing and Misty Knight, under contract for the Beyond Corporation, trained Spider-Man clone Ben Reilly to substitute for a waylaid Peter Parker.

This week's Spider-Man reviews begin with, from my perspective anyway, The Death of Doctor Strange Spider-Man special.

I just picked up the entirety of Death of Dr. Strange in two thick trade paperbacks.  It would have been horrendous trying to read it all as floppies and keep up.  

I guess I wasn't paying that much attention, because the Spider-Man special is the first I saw of maxi-series on the racks.  

Unlike other one-shot tie-ins, the story in Death of Dr. Strange actually connects with events occurring in Spider-Man's regular and irregular titles.  This just complicates matters for somebody who still sees Spider-Man as appearing in Amazing, Spectacular and Marvel Team-Up.  Or wishes it so.

The story opens with Felicia Hardy alias the Black Cat visiting a comatose Peter Parker.  Felicia is an associate and a friendly neighborhood ex-lover of Spider-Man, which is why she knows his secret identity.  

Black Cat is Marvel's top thief.  Like the original Arsene Lupin and Japan's animated Lupin III, she also suffers from bouts of decency.  Jed MacKay writing the Black Cat is a must-buy for me.  I enjoyed the hell out of her title.  So, I knew I would enjoy this.

Ben Reilly pops in to check on Peter, and boy, is Black Cat not happy.

An emergency magical hologram from the now deceased Doctor Strange intervenes in the ensuing argument.

Boom.  Black Cat accompanies Spider-Man to the sanctum of Dr. Strange.  What follows a bit of amusement with Wong is a whirlwind tour of what Dr. Strange did on a steady basis.  For example...

The art by Marcelo Ferreira, Wayne Faucher and Andrew Crossly is stunning.  Far better than what you would expect from a one-shot tie-in.

MacKay's magical anthology is imaginative, frequently hilarious and surprisingly anti-violent.  Except when bringing in a guest-star from another of MacKay's recommended reads.

From this one-shot we move over to MacKay's next.  Mary Jane and Black Cat Beyond.  I've said my piece about the subtitle and weirdly numbered Beyond books.  

However, I don't actually know how Mary Jane and Black Cat rates a Beyond when it's self-contained, connecting only as much as Death of Dr. Strange, and doesn't actually feature any Beyond story devices or characters, including Ben Reilly.

Anyway, on this hospital visit, Black Cat finds Brian Bendis' pet character the Hood holding Mary Jane Watson at gun point.  

I loathe this character.  Bendis channeled his hatred of Tigra into a punk with a magic hood.  

Sometimes, I'm a critical analyst.  Sometimes, I'm along for the ride.  Every once in a while, somebody writes something that just makes my brain crackle.

Her dismissiveness.  Her delivery.  The poise.  From artists C.F. Villa and Erick Arciniega.   Every creative element makes that line sing.  It's the cat's meow.

The Hood doesn't exactly know what Black Cat's connection to Peter Parker may be, but he knows one exists.  So, he strikes a deal to keep everybody alive.  Magnanimous since he's the little shit that threatened everybody's happy existence in the first place.  In any case, Felicia is the one who saves M.J.'s life.  The Hood intended to kill her.

And that's pretty much all you need to know regarding how Mary Jane and the Black Cat wind up working together.  Though it's not quite so simple as that.  There's a lot of ifs when acquiescing to a villain's whims, and Mary Jane helps keep Peter safe by demonstrating the art of the bluff.

With credentials established, MacKay presents a contrast in the two ladies: hardly the Betty and Veronica types that everybody thinks of doing.  Rather MacKay creates winning personalities for both stars.  Playing no favorites. Generating a brilliant character dynamic.

The hunt for the Hood's namesake takes the duo to interesting corners of the Marvel Universe.  MacKay uses the history of both femmes in surprising ways.  

A number of favorite Spider-Man villains enter the picture.  Sometimes, what the ladies cannot schmooze, they simply beat the tar out of.

All roads lead to a major Spider-Man foe that requires some serious out of the box thinking from the Black Cat and M.J. 

It's in essence a variation on the traditional tactic of the World's Finest over at the Distinguished Competition.  

I'll keep quiet on the Big Bad.  As a hint, I'll note that he only became an A-List villain in modern times.  Like Darth Vader, originally, he only rated flunky.

The Black Cat concocts a means to satisfy her contract with the Hood and double-cross him at the same time.  The method is unique, absurd and sooooo very fitting.  Remember, I hate this guy.

Peter regains consciousness at the conclusion of this special.  I suppose you're wondering why there's no spoiler ahoy on this one.  Because, Peter regaining the webs is inevitable and if you're following this storyline, you should know where it begins. After all somebody following Amazing Spider-Man just may skip this femme-centered special.  Though why anybody would escapes me.

After Peter awakens, Black Cat and Mary Jane have an insightful conversation that's likely to gladden the hearts of old Spider-Man fans.  

Though it may puzzle others unaware of Spider-Man's sixties and seventies history.  For some, Mary Jane and the Black Cat may be an education as well as a good ride.  That makes it doubly valuable.

Once you've got Mary Jane and the Black Cat out of the way, Peter's recovery begins properly in The Amazing Spider-Man.  That's right.  Just Amazing Spider-Man.  No, Beyond.  

So, that means we naturally begin with Beyond Corporation and the birth of the Queen Goblin.

I've got to hand it to whomever designed the newest Goblin.  Queen Goblin is a beautiful creation.  Current Amazing artists Mark Bagley, Andrew Hennessey, John Dell and colorist Bryan Valenza.  If not progenitors, they nevertheless do the character proud.

She's a vivid combination of color and costuming, with a brave diversion from the traditional green.

While this occurs, Spider-Man discovers he's less than one-hundred percent.

Felicia returns to keep him safe in the most embarrassing way.  

This moment nicely highlights Black Cat's and Spider-Man's close relationship.  I doubt anybody not intimately familiar with a web shooter can use it properly like that.  So, kudos to the insight from writer Patrick Gleason, whom I only knew as an artist.

Incidentally, the Queen attacks The Daily Bugle in order to protect the Beyond Corporation from damaging information.  It's not just a whim.

Unfortunately, Mary Jane is the custodian of that data, and the Goblin quickly scoops her up.  Not realizing she's no damsel.

Fortunately, M.J.'s not without friends in high places.  Once again, it's time for Black Cat's attack of decency, which makes her so winning and darn entertaining.  Mind you.  You'll get more out of this with the bond between M.J. and the Cat reinforced by that one-shot.

What neither M.J. or the Cat know is that there's more than enhanced physique and Beyond gadgetry backing the newest Goblin.

Now, you may say.  That's not fair, and it doesn't even fit the traditonal Goblin precepts.  Well, Emerson stated that "Foolish  consistency is the hobgoblins of little minds."  I'm wondering if the creators of the Queen Goblin didn't think of that quote as a kind of rationale for the gaze.

Once the Goblin has Felecia in her stare, the worst thing imaginable happens in an exquisite, expressive sequence by Bagley and company.  Thank the cosmos, Ben Reilly stepped up to prevent this horrific tragedy.

Nah.  Nah, mate.  Just your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, banged up and bedraggled but, never the less, the top hero of the book.  Because...ahem..."With great power comes great responsibility."

Last but not least, the finale of our two part Spider-Man book exploration.  In issue ninety, Spider-Man introduces himself to the new Queen Goblin.  It ain't pretty because the Queen really hasn't contended with Spidey's mouth.

Yeah.  I seem to recall a scene where the Spidey villains talk about the worst thing about fighting Spider-Man is that he can't shut up.  He's not only going to beat you senseless.  He's going to humiliate you first so that every insult is ringing in your head.  Of course, the Goblin does have two things going for her.  The Despondence Stare, and the fact that Spidey happens to fighting on half-speed and half-strength.

Oh, well then.  Skoom to you as well.  As you might expect there's some Beyond Corporation and Ben Reilly stuff in this book but meh.  It's actually Peter's concept of Ben Reilly and writer Gleason's willingness to treat him fairly that's his saving grace.

Wow.  That was a lot, but all these Spider-Man books are worth reading and adding to your collection.  These two overlapping stories will also be likely easy to find at your local comic book shop.  I recommend buying each issue.  Who knows how Marvel will collect them?  

POBB April 2, 2022

Pick of the Brown Bag

April 2, 2022

by

Ray Tate

Welcome to first of another two part Pick of the Brown Bag.  For those who just arrived, my name is Ray Tate.  In this blog I review television series, movies and sometimes prose novels.  Mainly, though, the name of the game is comic books.   If this blog is too in depth for you and you need a decision ASAP, check me out on Twitter: #PickoftheBrownBag. 

I'm often questioned about why I don't pick up certain books.  In that regard, I'm probably much like you.  I'm not invested in that particular character.  I'm not wild about the art.  I dislike the writing, but the comic book as I have said before isn't like any other medium.  Comic book series present other challenges.

Sometimes there are just too many.  This is how I feel about Spider-Man.

I like my Spider-Man Amazing, Spectacular and Marvel Team-Up.  Once you stick in overlapping specials, mini-series and/or maxi-series, you've pretty much lost me.  

That said.  I gravitate toward certain scribes, and the presence of these writers guarantee my at least flipping through the Spider-Man titles, even if they are weirdly numbered and/or part of one, two or, blimey, three mini-series.  

Because of Jed MacKay and Kelly Thompson I wagered this current lot of Spider-Man titles would make sense even if I hadn't followed the whole enchilada.  Sure enough.  I was right.

Amazing Spider-Man starts the snowball rolling.  It's designated 78.Bey.  Short for 78 Beyond, which should in no way be associated with Batman Beyond.  

Although it's subtitled Beyond and borrows Terry McGuiness' friend Max.  

Eleonora Carlini, Federico Blee

Coincidentally the name of the white, pink-haired CEO of The Beyond Corporation, which is not involved in making new Batman Beyond cartoons.  Drat the luck.

This isn't really a Spider-Man book.  It's a Daughters of the Dragon book, which isn't a bad thing if you like the Daughters of the Dragon.  I happen to love Misty Knight and Colleen Wing.  So, good on me.  

If you're buying the book out of your loyalty for Spider-Man, you're out of luck.  Because it doesn't even feature the Spider-Man you're looking for.  

That's a lot of information.  

Let me break it down for newcomers.  Misty Knight and Colleen Wing--The Daughters of the Dragon--debuted as Iron Fist cast members in Marvel Premiere back in the seventies.

Misty and Colleen also received their own feature in the contemporary magazine Deadly Hands of Kung-Fu.  Years later they would again take the spotlight when Marvel restarted their magazine endeavor.

Colleen and Misty are private investigators who run Knightwing Restorations.  I don't know why the Powers That Be referred to them as Daughters of the Dragon.  My guess is that it's just ballyhoo to better connect them with the Martial Arts scene happening back then.  No matter.  They are casually groundbreaking.  

With the exception of Nancy Drew and her cohorts Bess and George, and maybe the 1970s iteration of Rose and Thorn, Misty Knight and Colleen Wing are the first female detective partners in fiction.  Certainly the first professionals.  They beat Cagney and Lacey by about ten years.

Colleen Wing is a supreme swords woman who also knows all the moves and semi-mystical secrets of seventies Iron Fist due to a controversial Mind-Meld with Danny Rand.  

Misty Knight is an ex-cop who lost her arm to a terrorist bomb.  Hence her turn to the private sector.  Because this is Marvel Comics, Tony Stark gifted her with a bionic arm.

Ben Reilly, our Spider-Man d'jour, is the first clone of Peter Parker that made it out alive.  Reilly is from the original clone story from the seventies.  He also previously adopted the Spider-Man guise when--oh, let's call it food poisoning--waylaid Peter out of the webs. 

Yeah.  Apparently Ben lost his memories.  No idea how.  Beyond Corporation hired Colleen and Misty to train Ben Reilly.  They're his sponsor for reasons I cannot fathom.  So Colleen conceives the ultimate fighting arena.  

Avengers Murder Mansion.  Like the Danger Room only with Avengers.

That's as far as the Spider-Man related material goes.  Beyond's leader Max has other plans for Colleen and Misty in the issue.

Welcome to Jed MacKay's forte.  Conceiving enjoyable adventures and antics featuring kind-of or low-powered superheroes.  

The monster hunt leads to all sorts of entertaining mayhem as well as a justifiably staccato styled narrative where Max Debriefs Misty and Colleen in between the flashback battle sequences against the monster.

The battle grows more complex.  The monster reveals some unusual powers that drop Colleen and Misty into the Avengers Murder Mansion.  Trouble is.  If they die in here, they die for real.

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The Daughters of the Dragon don't die.  They return in Amazing Spider-Man 91.Bey to battle Beyond Corporation's basement of Misfit Toy Creatures.  On the bright side, for Spidey fans, this book features the Spider-Man you're looking for.

Sara Pichelli, Fran Galan, Brian Reber

Thrill to Daughters of the Dragon fighting alongside the true Spider-Man, now better.  And his also-ran.  

Misty and Colleen haven't teamed up with the real Spidey for years.  In fact, one of Iron Fist's major stories concludes in Chris Claremont's and John Byrne's Marvel-Team Up.

Now, at this point you may be wondering how I managed to miss 79.Bey to 88.Bey.  I have no idea.  I have no idea how this numbering system works.  I have no clue as to what titles it spans, and I paid attention.  You see my problem with subscribing to the Spider-Man titles?

91.Bey doesn't immediately continue into 92.Bey.  You have to stop by plain old Amazing Spider-Man 92 to get the rest of the story.  Except this plain old Spider-Man is decked out as something else.

Now, honestly does that make any sense to you? You may think that okay, they just stopped with the .Bey business, but no.  92 follows into Amazing Spider-Man 92.Bey.  WTF.

Anywho, behind door number two, or Z as they refer to it, the Lizard.  He's on the cover.  It's hardly a spoiler.  

The Lizard is one of the classic Spider-Man menaces that go all the way back to the creators Stan Lee and Steve Ditko.  

He's actually Dr. Curt Conners, a well meaning biologist trying to use the regenerative powers of lizards to grow a new arm.  Alas, things go awry.  

Depending on the Spider-Man era you drop in on, Curt Conners'  can be perfectly sane, teaching at college.  He may be a semi-intelligent Lizard primed to protect his son from the evil Stegron.  He may also be utterly mindless and bent on pure destruction.

with Ze Carlos

Now the chap whose DNA got spliced into the Lizard should be no surprise given his unanticipated movie career.  This is a spoiler I guess.  Go to the next cover graphic if you don't wish to know....

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...Beyond spliced Michael Morbius' DNA into the Lizard.  It's both dumb and brilliant at the same time.

First of all, there's absolutely no need for this to happen.  The Lizard without Conners' conscience is more than enough of a threat.  Second, Michael Morbius isn't really a vampire of the undead variety.  He's a scientific vampire created inadvertently in attempt to cure a blood disease.  So, yeah, he would have viable living DNA.

The metamorphosis into Morbius the Living Vampire also turned Michael quite insane.  Spider-Man's radioactive blood charged with lightning cured Morbius for a helluva long time, but eventually, he reverted back to bloodsucker.  The difference is that this time around, he kept his marbles and has been on an even keel for most of his modern existence.

Third, Thompson raises some interesting parallels between Morbius and the Lizard.  Things I never really considered before.  Both scientists.  Both looking for a cure.  Both caught in an experiment gone skewed.  Both vacillating between bouts of insanity and long periods of sanity.  Both turned into monsters.  Fourth, I don't actually know if including Morbius in this hootenanny was Thompson's idea or not, but she does something with the inclusion.  It doesn't just lie there.  And the dialogue scripted by Jed MacKay brings everything home.

I hesitate to call Amazing Spider-Man 92.Bey a Spider-Man book.  MacKay concludes the Daughters of the Dragon contract and the problems of the Lizard and Moribus in the first section then reintroduces the lady in the Spider-Spotlight.  For the record, Ben Reilly appears on one page.  Just one.  Peter Parker? Sorry.  Nowhere to be found.

Artist Unknown.  There's a whole bunch to choose from this issue.

It's real surprising to see Captain Marvel's history presented in a whole different light.  Changes in Avengers writers were the real life reasons for Captain Marvel's downfall.  While one writer raised Captain Marvel to Avengers leader, another knocked her off the team.  Still, more over the years felt warmth for Monica than the low-rent mystic Dr. Druid, who I believe is absolutely nowhere in comics at this moment and sonuvagun not part of the Marvel cinematic universe.  That's right.  I'm dissing Dr. Druid.  Wanna make something of that? Of course not.  Ben Reilly has more fans.  So does the Menudo version of Vibe.

Captain Marvel teams up with another hero of her acquaintance languishing for care.  Together they take down Beyond's current operations.  Hamstringing them at best, but it's a good hit and gives the letterer something to do as well.  A callback to another time and another place.

I suppose the most remarkable thing about this group of Spider-Man books is how little Spider-Man involves himself.  I would be interested in how this story went over amongst the rabid Spidey fans.  In any case, I found the group helluva entertaining.