Superman's history

I've read some Superman histories over the years, but thanks to that late, free comic book Web site that existed earlier this spring, I was able to read or scan most Superman comics from the late 1930s to the early 1960s -- effectively "completing" my Superman history course.
It was amazing to see that some "Adventures of Superman" show stories, that I always thought to be original, weren't — they came from the comics! Yet, there were a few comics plots that spun off the TV show's story too.
From seeing Superman evolve, to his involvement in World War II, were priceless vantage points I found, while reading early comics on the Web.
There were also so many early 1940s comic covers where Superman stopped a U-boat or a Japanese Zero plane, where the story inside had nothing to do with the war.
I know I read some sci-fi type stories in those old Superman comics that were ahead of their time and I wish I'd made notes about them.
But, overall the comic stories of the 1940s and 1950s weren't all that good. Neither was most of the artwork. It was only from the 1960s on that the Man of Steel really took off.

Superman movie locations

I spent a week in Canada last week and was surprised to find that portions of the Superman I, II and III movies were filmed there.
The Columbia icefield was a big part of Superman II.
Calgary was also in movies.
I'll have to rewatch the movies now and see if I can see anything familiar.

Smallville — Fly or Die!

"Smallville" has been good in its 9 seasons, but it could be better and as I always say, less "soap opera-ish" would be a great improvement.
And, after watching the season finale for the 9th season, I say, "Fly or Die!"
Spoiler wise, Clark Kent is falling off a skyscraper with blue kryptonite and no powers.
Either he better finally get his powers back quickly and fly to get out of this or die in the season 10 opening show.
Clark now apparently has the costume and that's the long overdue next level — that he go from the "Blur" to the skies.
He did have a Legion flight ring and it is dumb that he doesn't use that.

Smallville the soap opera

Smallville has a few flashes of brilliance lately, but otherwise comes off to me as simply an average soap opera kind of show that could air in daytime soap time spots and do better.
This is the season where I've lost enthusiasm in the show.
Yes, a good series needs some characterizations and relationships explored, but there's too much of that in Smallville now and not enough action.
And, if Clark Kent stays grounded much longer, as other Kryptonians effortlessly fly, I might lose it completely.
Clark Kent should also be wearing glasses all the time and the "S" curl of hair should exist on the face of the "blur."
The series has now painted itself in a dark corner and has lost sight of the Superman mythology and legacy.

DC, Marvel Comics miss a huge opportunity on-line!

There was a huge, free library kind of database of comic books on-line for a few months and then it suddenly shut down.
It appears the FBI got involved. Likely, DC, Marvel and other comics owners sought to zealously protect their products.
Now if newspapers would have charged something for their on-line content from day one, they wouldn't be in near the financial trouble they are today.
Likewise, comic book companies should have had some vision here and bought the guy's work out, instead of sending the FBI after him.
Myself and likely others would have paid $10 a month, or so much a year to use a similar site.
The hours of work that Database Engineers, Inc. in Lutz, Florida spent scanning millions of comic book images in was incredible enough.
The site had promise and was ahead of its time.
On-line comics will be the future of the industry and comic book companies were unwise to let this pass by and simply squash it for now.

Free comic book day is Saturday, May 1

The ninth annual free Comic Book day is Saturday, May 1.
Walk in most any comic book store on that day and walk away with some new titles at no cost or obligation.
Sound too good to be true? It's authentic and is everything it claims to be.
If there's a catch, it is that store policies vary on how many free titles a customer can take, but if yoau have any interest in comics and aren't a regular comic store customer, this is the day to visit your local store.
www.freecomicbookday.com will have a search locator so people can find the participating stores.
Iron Man, Archie,. GI Joe, Shrek, Superman, Bongo and more -- there will be up to 33 comics titles to choose from while supplies last.

Superman changes are coming/The Search for Batman

Superman comics No. 701 (on sale July 14) is supposed to begin some sweeping changes in the Man of Steel.
This follows the "War of the Supermen" saga in what DC Comics is billing as "a modern-classic Superman story!"
I don;t know for sure the changes are, but the "S" Symbol on that upcoming comic's cover looks odd, being far too thin.
I'll hope for the best, but the cover art doesn't impress me.
--AND, a more promising Superman-related tale also begins in July — "Time Masters: Vanishing Point."
This intriguing comic is a six-issue search for Batman in time and space.
Superman joins Rip Hunter, Green Lantern and Booster Gold in the hunt for the World's Greatest Detective.
I have high hopes for this story.