A quick thank you.

As I said before, I've missed out on bloggin a lot of things, but as far as I can think of, the most important right about now (other than moving in with my girlfriend) is seeing Coheed and Cambria.

The date 15/11/10 is going to be burned into my mind forever.

Southampton Guildhall played witness to the 'Heed in 2007, and I was there, and my mind was blown.

This time around I took my dubious Coheed fan girlfriend. She came out of the gig with a mile wide smile too. You can't not love them.

I'm not going to go into the set list etc, as I don't need to.

I have the memory of singing 'Here We Are Juggernaut' and 'A Favour House Atlantic' with my girlfriend until it hurt. I have the memory of 'Delirium Trigger' and of course the epic 'Welcome Home'.

So yeah, it was amazing, and still makes me smile.

Thanks Coheed, you did it again.

Well. It's been a while.

Yeah.

Something had to give. I moved house, got accepted onto a teaching course and had to start, y'know, working properly. My life has never felt so much intensity, and in the end I neglected this corner of the internet in order to keep my head above water.

But enough excuses.

I've still been able to perform some geekly duties however, and as I keep a mental chronicle of d20s I have rolled and controllers I have held, I thought I'd ease back into this blogging thing gently.

So, where to start...

Retro game:

I was recently deprived of my 360, meaning I had to resort to the ever faithful PS2 for gaming support. And lo, upon trawling through my dusty games shelf I found a hidden gem that I never got round to completing - Zone Of The Enders: The Second Runner.



My first brush with ZOE was, like most PS2 gamers, simply a game to play to get the MGS2 demo...and as a game that I purchased for a demo, it was awesome.

So when I saw this and brought it many moons ago, I was hooked on the ridiculous super robot fighting, as is normal, but ZOE 2 had even more to offer.

It is sumptuous to look at. Released during the crazy boom in cel-shading, ZOE 2 stands high above its peers. The colours are dynamic and inviting, movements crisp and clear, effects are satisyingly visceral. It's a treat.



The story too is a gem, spiced up with excellent little anime cutscenes it tells a great story of oppression and revenge, with some nice tie ins to it's predecessor.

But, what makes it better perhaps, is the gameplay. Fast, frantic, fun and above all engaging, it was an excellent game to come back to, just frustrating enough to give a challenge, but fun enough to keep you trying.
So yeah, good job Konami. Even if I am 7 years late in completing it...

Summer Blog

So, not a lot on the geek front particularly, as I have spent quite a chunk of the last few weeks on holidays, rendering my access to the internet, comic books and games in general rather limited. Still, I'm never totally without something nerdish, and this summer was no exception.

For reading: Terry Pratchett's City Watch trilogy,Star Wars Dark Empire (comic) Skaar, Son of Hulk (comic - also one I will not look at now, because, frankly, that's too much writing for one post...).
For gaming: Nintendo DS.

Now, Mr. Terry Pratchett is undoubtedly my favourite author, his stories are witty, engaging, satirical and wrapped in a fantasy world that subtlely pokes fun at the fantasy genre as a whole. This trilogy is no exception, focusing on the City Watch in the sprawling city of Ankh-Morpork. Looking at it's rise to importance in the city, while following the individual tales of characters such as the near-chimpanzee Nobby Nobbs, the overweight Fred Colon, and angry captain Samuel Vimes, the trilogy contains many brilliant set pieces and irrerverant commentaries as they meander through the tales: one story concerning dragons, the next concerning the murder of a clown, and another the hazards of high society balls and genteel conduct. The scope is as excellent, and the writing comedic, with each character becoming identifiable and characterised to the point of familiarity. Indeed, the reader gets so used to the reactions of Fred Colon and Nobby Nobbs et al., that it becomes a joy to see what they face next. Be it Fred Colon squaring off against a dragon that shouldn't exist, or Sam Vimes stubbornly refusing to put a feather in his hat because its poncy, each section is brilliant.

Anyway, that's enough. I can't recommend Terry Pratchett high enough. Just get one of his books, and read it.

Ok, next topic: Dark Empire.

Now, I have read this comic several times before, and each time because, well, I like it.
This is the summary of the tale itself:

Six years after the Battle of Endor, the fight for freedom rages on. Darth Vader is dead, but a reborn Empire —under a mysterious new leader—strikes back at the struggling Rebel Alliance. Massive World Devastators, more powerful and unstoppable than the Death Star, ravage entire planets, while the ruthless heirs of Jabba the Hutt place a monumental price on the heads of Princess Leia and her husband, Han Solo. Along with Lando, Chewbacca, Artoo, Threepio, and other old allies, Han and Leia struggle to protect the future for their unborn child. But their greatest foe may be their closest friend: Luke Skywalker...

This pretty much sums it up as a story. When added to the title - Dark Empire - it becomes clear that it is not a happy tale. Following the Rebel Alliance as they try to assert their control over the galaxy, even as the remnants of the Empire fights amongst itself. We soon meet Luke, souped and powerful as he takes down an AT-AT casually, who asserts that he feels the Dark Side strongly. Cue the overused 'I have a bad feeling about this' moment, as Luke sets off to find the source of this disturbance...
Now, I want to avoid too many spoilers, and thus I shall skip over what happens, needless to say Luke and Leia turn out to be a pretty nifty Jedi team, and that the grandiose scale of Star Wars is upheld in the finest of forms - shown best, perhaps, by the appearance of a Star Destroyer that is 10 miles long. Epic scene.

So, why do I like this comic? Largely nostalgia - it was the first Star Wars comic I read. But, more specific reasons: the artwork, while some don't like it's watercolour nature, it is to me brilliant. Dark, atmospheric and brooding, it sets the tone quite nicely. The story has many twists and turns, which is always good, as well as excellent Star Wars humour - with Han Solo sarcasm abound. Sure, at some points the story leaps a bit too fast, but it's never unfollowable. The action is great and the resolution excellent, showing that the optimism at the end of Return of the Jedi was perhaps premature - whilst the Emperor had been defeated, the hard task of uniting the galaxy was still to follow, and this tale marks the beginning of the Expanded Universe as it explores this theme - the growth of the New Republic and how it would face trouble with the Jedi knights at its head.

So last part of my holiday geekery:
My Nintendo DS.

On a camping holiday, it's pretty hard to access electricity. Luckily, my DS was fully charged, and ready to go. However, thanks to a proliferation of console games, I had neglected the little dual screened hero, and thus this holiday allowed me to reacquaint myself with it. And I was glad indeed that I had it. Inbetween reading comics (both Dark Empire and Skaar, Son of Hulk) I would happily play away, whiling away the time between trips to the beach and pub. Excellent way to spend a day.
What did I play? Largely Animal Crossing - I got back into the game again, and it is like crack. I spent ages trying to catch fish, or butterflies, talking to the other townsfolk, getting annoyed at Tom Nook's stupid store banter, and listening to K.K. Slider's bangin' sets in the Roost. (If you got those references, kudos.) It truly is a great game, absorbing and charming. For a game in which not a lot happens, you can lose a huge amount of time, just shifting furniture, looking for a shark, or delivering post. Excellent fun.
What else...New Super Mario Bros.
Now, I completed this game ages ago, but I did so at speed, ignoring the hard-to-get coins and the secret worlds. Not so this time. Playing as Luigi (the best brother...) I spent far too much time hunting out coins and opening all the paths to all the worlds. Still, it has the wonderful charm of all Mario games. No matter how frustrating it is when you plummet down a hole, you never feel cheated. If you mess up, it's because you're a fool. Plain and simple. Love it. Also, the game is beautiful, from the dancing feet of the Koopas, to the scrolling backgrounds and wonderfully animated plumbers, it's just a joy.
What else?
A few blasts on Metroid Hunters - excellent shooter, a bit fiddly, but gotta love shooting angry bounty hunters in the face.
Mario Kart DS - gotta love time trials, and trying to beat your own ghost.

Basically, thanks to my holiday, I fell back in love with the DS and handheld gaming in general. I love being able to play a game for ten minutes, then pop to the shops, then go straight back to it. Gaming on the go.

---

Anyway. I think I wrote a fair bit there, when I had planned a shortish post...so that'll do...all I seem to have shown is how even holidays can't stand between a geek and his things...

So, without further ado, I hope you enjoy this read, so until next time. Cheerio.

Why do I like comic books??

The other day, whilst sat with a friend, he mentioned that he had read this blog, and asked me why I was writing it. Upon hearing my reply, he told me that he thought a blog that explained why I like superheroes/comics would be a useful point of reference for the less geek-inclined. Thus, acting upon that conversational whimsy, I wrote this fairly brief response as an attempt to explain why I find comic books so alluring.

Essentially, I think it all boils down to the fact that I, like most boys at some stage in life, have wanted to be able to fly, or turn invisible, or throw fireballs, because those things are inherently cool. Comic books offer a beeline into worlds and stories in which these exist, not only showcasing why they are cool, but displaying reasons behind their existence and usage.

I don't think anyone can deny that being an X-Man wouldn't be cool...

But, on top of this childhood dreaming, there is another reason behind the appeal of comic books. First and foremost, they are stories. Whilst there are one-off issues, and stand alone tales, many comic books have long arching storylines and themes, such as DC’s Final Crisis event, or the Secret Invasion in the Marvel Universe. What makes comics so alluring to me is the fact that these events constantly reference each other, from issues of X Men to the Punisher, or from Green Lantern to Superman, layering each new storyline with both past events and concurrent themes. Whilst these past stories are not needed to understand the current storyline or events, they make them that little bit richer – just as watching a TV serial is more rewarding when you watch it from the beginning.

Take, for example, the Marvel Secret Invasion storyline. During the storyline, several shape shifting aliens – the Skrulls – are revealed to be on Earth causing trouble. After several battles with superheroes, they are defeated, but not before their presence leads to the creation of the organisation H.A.M.M.E.R. under the control of Norman Osborn. This then neatly leads into the storyline Dark Reign, which follows Osborn as he tries to take control of the Marvel Universe. Now, whilst knowledge of Secret Invasion is not needed to understand Dark Reign, it does make it that little bit more involving, something that has kept me hooked on comic books for years.

Secret Invasion - An example of comicbook storyline continuity.

Another reason is the constant reimagining, and recreation of superheroes, ensuring that they remain fresh and interesting, creating stories that fit with contemporary attitudes as well as keeping true to the originals. Perhaps the best example of this is Green Lantern: Rebirth. Following the Green Lantern Hal Jordan, after his turn from superhero to super villain, it reasserts his place in the DC Universe, bringing an old character alongside the new while maintaining the pace of the storylines. Indeed, this ties into my previous point, as Hal’s return as a Green Lantern led to the Sinestro Corps War storyline, showing how the reinvention and evolution of characters and storylines is intertwined, keeping comic book universes interesting.

Hal Jordan - Greatest Green Lantern of them all.

Aside from the stories, there is also the fact that comics are, essentially, full of pretty pictures. From the stirring image of Barry Allen outrunning Death in the pages of Final Crisis, to a relatively mundane image of Spiderman leaping between buildings, each panel has a story to tell. When combined with the greatest onomatopoeic words mankind can create (think the 1960’s Batman TV series, but less camp) and you have a visceral treat that can, with a little imagination, be more evocative than the most effects laden film you could create. Indeed, it is noticing little things in these images, from the faces on bystanders, to picking out all the characters you can in big spread pages, that make it enjoyable to reread comic books, even more so than an ordinary novel. Indeed, noticing little references to events – such as the sound effect ‘EEEPA’ in the Sinestro Corps War (Volume 2), a reference to the Simpsons movie and Comic Book Guy – means that each reread of a comic often reveals new things.

Barry Allen's return from the dead - simply epic.

That is not to say that the stories themselves are not worth the read. As I already mentioned, the constantly evolving storylines make comic books almost a literary equivalent of a TV series, but the stories are not throwaway sequences of action, but often serious dialogue with clever subtexts. DC’s Final Crisis is one of the best examples of this. Concerning the collapse of the Universe, and the last actions of Earth’s heroes to prevent it, it explores themes of despair, courage, loss and hope, tied up with time travel and all-out action, to create a densely packed narrative that is satisfying both as a story and a comic book.

For me, then, comic books are not throwaway little picture books, but cleverly thought out stories, with compelling artwork and writing that, albeit with a bit of imagination, create vivid stories that you can come back to time and time again. I think that is pretty much the best reasoning I can put forwards for liking comic books, without delving into the apparent psychological reasons behind the stories, or the deep seated meanings they have in our subconscious, as those are arguments best left to Media graduates, comic book experts and psychologists...But, who knows, maybe I’ll look at why certain characters, or films, or video games appeal to me in a later blog...

My Top 10 DC Comic Book Villains.

My Top 10 DC Comic Book Villains.

Part 1, #10-6.

[Almost certainly contains spoilers for some characters, continue at your own discretion]

So, after re-reading Green Lantern: Rebirth and Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds, I decided that my next blog would be about comic book characters. After the glorious turn of Superboy Prime in Legion of 3 Worlds, my mind was set on villains, and thus I created a top 10. I’m sure many people will disagree with my selection, or the order in which they appear, but this was a personal call, so please, just enjoy. (And if you have any comments about the choices, feel free to add them...)

Anyway, without further ado, the first 5, numbers 10-6 of my top 10 DC villains...

10) Brainiac:

One of Superman’s most prodigious and recurring foes, Brainiac’s past has been subject to many revisions, but one thing remains a constant – his overriding aim to destroy Superman. In his initial incarnation in Action Comics #242 (July 1958), Brainiac was a super intelligent humanoid with a penchant for shrinking cities. Indeed, when Superman tried to save Metropolis he discovered that Kandor, capital of his homeworld Krypton, was one of Brainiac’s miniature conquests. Superman may have rescued them, but the image of Kandor in a bottle is quite a striking one in the Superman mythology and would have a huge impact – New Krypton was grown from the bottled city (it’s also referenced in an episode of the popular show The Big Bang Theory).

Brainiac himself was changed to become an android, rather than an alien, although this has not changed his role in Superman’s adventures, as he constantly seeks to better himself and destroy Superman. He has been responsible for dozens of nefarious acts, such as trying to use Warworld to destroy Superman, to once inhabiting Superman’s body by transferring his mind. However, these stories are not the sole reason he makes the list.

Indeed, perhaps his most lasting impact on Superman occurred in the 2008 Brainiac story arc. It is revealed (via a retcon) that all other Brainiacs have been drones of the true Brainiac, and that his drones are a foreboding presence on Earth. Indeed, Superman sets out to find him, eventually discovering him aboard his spaceship – which contains the shrunken cities of dozens of planets that Brainiac then destroys. Not wanting this to happen to Earth, Superman and Supergirl are able to stop Brainiac’s attempts to destroy Earth’s sun, and then defeat Brainiac. However, the lasting legacies of this are twofold – shrunken Kandor is released onto the Earth around the Fortress of solitude and, most importantly, Brainiac, in his rage, fires a missile at Kent farm, resulting in the death of Jonathan Kent.

It is this that marks Brainiac as special in the DC villain-verse, he keeps coming back, and the impact of his actions, past and present, are always carried by the Man of Steel.

(On a side note, his name has also become a common usage word to describe, well, a brainiac. Nothing says legacy like etymological immortality.)

9) Doomsday:

Why? Because he killed Superman. Really, I think I could stop there... but let’s embellish slightly. Created by the scientist Bertron on Krypton (years before Superman et al.) he was pitched against all of the creatures of the world and, when he died, was cloned as a stronger version, until he became basically unstoppable. Eventually he got of Krypton and came to face Darkseid, but did not fight him, instead being fired through space – killing hundreds of Green Lanterns on the way – until a Guardian died to send him through a tear in space. On the planet Calaton he killed almost everyone, until he was defeated by the combined Lifeforce of the Calatonians – The Radiant. They shot his body into space, not wanting to bury the monster, and he hurtled through space until he crashed onto Earth.

After digging his way from the crash site, Doomsday, with one arm shackled behind him, defeated the entire Justice League – before turning his sights on Superman. Eventually the two battle in Metropolis – killing each other with their final blows. His remains are then hurled into space by one of the new ‘Supermen’ in the wake of the Man of Steel’s death.

However, he was found by a space ship and ended up on Apokolips, where he beat Darkseid himself in a battle, before Superman tried to defeat him again – but he could not, instead he trapped him at the end of time.

Eventually, however he was freed by an underling of Brainiac who wanted to combine Brainiac’s mind with Doomsday’s strength – again however Superman prevailed, trapping him by continually teleporting him between four teleporters.

Lex Luthor then freed him however, in an attempt to kill Imperiex, however he could not and was destroyed. Lex then cloned him again, this time with sentience – but this proved to be a hindrance as he was not as strong, and Superman was able to defeat him.

He appears once more, setting upon the representatives of Kandor during negotiations between the Kryptonians and humanity. However the presence of many Kryptonians was too much; and he was destroyed. His remains however are taken by a Human General who wishes to halt the Kryptonian’s attempts to live on Earth, and Doomsday’s corpse is given to Lex Luthor once more, in an attempt to improve him further...

Doomsday makes this list then because not only did he kill Superman, but he repeatedly returns, more powerful than before, and is consequently an ever present threat to the entire DC universe.

8) Ra’s al Ghul

Ra’s al Ghul, whose name means ‘The Demon’s Head’ in Arabic, is one of Batman’s most ever present and threatening foes. Described as an ‘eco-terrorist’, he has lived for over 600 years due to immersing himself in Lazarus Pits – vessels that rejuvenate the body.

Initially an Arabic nomad, Ra’s was a successful physician who found himself accused of his wife’s murder, and he was left to die in the desert. However he was rescued and launched an attack against those who had tried to punish him wrongly. It is this that set him upon his ultimate path: cleansing humanity’s ills. To this end, he founded the sinister society known as ‘the Demon’, of which he was the ‘head.’ He also formed the League of Assassins in order to remove any who stood before him.

His goal of committing global genocide to restart humanity almost comes to fruition when he releases the plague known as ‘the Clench’ upon Gotham city. Batman however, is able to thwart him, but Ra’s escapes.

Perhaps Ra’s most dastardly ploy, however, was his theft of the bodies of Batman’s parents. Whilst Batman is distracted, Ra’s uses Batman’s fail safes to temporarily defeat the Justice League of America. Although the members recover, Batman is forced from the group in light of his plans. Ra’s then tries to thwart Batman’s adoption of Dick Grayson, blaming them for his poor relationship with his own daughter. He is, ultimately, unsuccessful.

Ra’s is then defeated by one of his daughters, Nyssa, angry at him for abandoning her during World War Two. During Nyssa’s attacks, Ra’s, in true megalomaniac villain form, reveals that it is all part of his master plan that this has happened. Indeed, even after his death and cremation, Ra’s could not be kept at bay for long.

In fact, it turns out the Ra’s has survived death by transferring his consciousness into a vessel body, searching for a new host. He then chooses Damien Wayne, son of Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul, and thus his grandson. Although thwarted here, he is able to transfer into a new body and once again escapes Batman’s clutches. After taking up residence in Gotham City, Batman defeats him once more, placing him in Arkham Asylum. Ra’s, however, is a canny foe, and manages to escape imprisonment again.

After Batman’s apparent demise at the hands of Darkseid, Ra’s sets out to prove that his nemesis is not dead, as the world would have him believe. Indeed, in doing so he finds himself involved in Tim Drake’s quest to find Bruce Wayne, when the former Robin destroys the League of Assassins. Trying to defeat Tim in retaliation, Ra’s eventually secedes and goes into hiding, musing that all his actions against Tim Drake were simple tests, to see if the former Boy Wonder could prove man enough to be the father of another heir to Ra’s’ legacy.

Ra’s then makes the list because of his dastardly cunning. Even when he appears beaten, it turns out that he had planned everything all along, making him a truly slippery customer. When coupled with his almost understandable plan, to perfect Humanity, this megalomaniac side twists his goals into something greater than the usual super villain fare, a twisted reflection of humanity’s desire for perfection. And, in an ironic twist of fate, his personal influence on Batman can never wane, as he is the grandfather of Bruce’s own son, Damien. Thus, for his twisted goals and cunning, and personal influence over one of the biggest superheroes around, Ra’s makes the list.

7) Two Face

Harvey Dent is often cited as one of Batman’s greatest villains for the sole reason that he is the result of Batman’s failure, and a constant reminder of the fact that, under the cowl, Bruce Wayne is but a man.

Initially the finest District Attorney in Gotham, Dent fought alongside Batman and Commissioner Gordon. However, during a trial of crime boss Sal Maroni he has a bottle of acid thrown in his face, and Batman is unable to deflect it in time. The hideous reflection that Dent soon sees drives him insane, and he scars one side of a coin – using this to decide the outcomes of his actions. Initially this was seized upon as a gimmick – focusing on the number two. However, he soon emerged as a great character – a scarred (literally) shadow of his former self that always seemed to follow Batman.

Further to this is the continuing theme of Dent’s redemption. There are repeated attempts to cure his scarring, such as in Batman: Hush, however these all end with the madness breaking through – once again bringing the tragedy of his fall to light. Indeed, in Two Face: Crime and Punishment it seems that the Dent persona has won through, as he attempts to kill himself. Once again, however, he falls back to becoming Two Face. Indeed, Batman’s role in Dent’s fall is emphasised in Batman: Face the Face, in which the Dent persona is charged with being Gotham’s protector in the absence of Bruce Wayne. However, after a series of murders, and questioning by Batman, Dent goes crazy again, scarring his face and rising as Two Face.

Indeed, this tragic tale is magnificently portrayed in the film The Dark Knight by Aaron Eckhart, bringing the layered character to light from ‘White Knight’ of Gotham, to one of the darkest stars of its criminal underbelly.

Two Face thus makes this list for his recurring role as a great villain, and as a tragic hero. For a comic book character, his history is remarkably twisted and complex. The repeated attempts to redeem him by Batman and others shows just how deeply the loss of Harvey Dent affected the ‘good guys’ of Gotham, and how big a role he could have played in saving the city itself. This underlying sentiment of loss and Two Face’s continuing battle against himself is what makes him just so interesting as a character, and cemented his place on this list.

6) Professor Zoom

How can I compile this list without including the main antagonist to one of my favourite heroes, the Flash? Even with his own Rogues gallery (see what I did there), in my mind the Flash only has one villain who could stand up to the others on this list, and that man is Eobard Thawne, aka, Professor Zoom.

Initially a criminal time traveller who reverse engineered Barry Allen’s costume to create his striking colour reversed costume, and grant him powers of Super Speed, Thawne’s background was amended following the Crisis on Infinite Earths event, becoming more sinister as a result.

Eobard Thawne’s background moves to that of an obsessed fan, recreating the electrochemical event that gave Barry Allen his powers, and even altering his appearance to look like his hero. Travelling back in time to meet his hero, he becomes unhinged to discover that he is fated to become a villain. Exacerbated by his time travel, Thawne goes mad and attacks Central City, only to be stopped by the combined Flash family, and sent back to the future where he belongs.

However, by this point Zoom was too unstable to remain. Hating Barry Allen for being the hero he was not, Thawne used his time travelling to return to points in Barry Allen’s life, attempting to destroy him, and claim victory. Indeed, he targets Allen’s family, apparently killing Iris West by vibrating his hand through her head. Devastated by this, it takes years for Allen to overcome it, but even when he does and falls in love again, Zoom appears to thwart him. In the ensuing struggle however, Barry snaps Zoom’s neck, killing him. Despite being acquitted of murder, Allen retires to the future, desperate to get away with a resurrected Iris. However, he wasn’t able to stay out of the DC limelight long, and soon met his end during the Crisis on Infinite Earths.

Zoom’s legacy does not end here however. His placement on the list is largely due to his influence on the returned Barry Allen, in the aftermath of Final Crisis.

After his return, Barry is afflicted by what appears to be the curse of the Black Flash – every speedster he touches dies. Deciding to run into the Speed Force to save his family, he then discovers that he is not responsible, it was Zoom who had orchestrated these events. Drawing Barry Allen from the Speed Force in the Final Crisis event, he reveals that he has poisoned the Speed Force with his own energy, causing Barry to kill those he touches. Barry and the other speedsters are able to escape the Speed Force, and take off after Zoom after he announces that he will stop Barry once and for all, killing Iris before they even meet – removing Barry’s one love and reason for fighting. Barry gives chase with Wally West, racing through time after Zoom.

It is during this race that the most important legacy of Zoom comes apparent. During the flight, Barry and Wally become the lightning bolt of energy that gives Barry his powers in the past, showing how without Zoom’s ever present hatred, his nemesis would not have come into being. Eventually, Barry catches Zoom, running him through time before returning him to the Justice League, who imprison Zoom in a device to sever him from his Negative Speed Force. However, the third Professor Zoom then approaches him, in an effort to improve both of their skills.

Zoom even has a role in Blackest Night. His broken necked corpse is brought to life, declaring itself the Black Flash. However, upon meeting the living Flash it stops, before being frozen by Captain Cold. After the conclusion of Blackest Night, Zoom is reanimated by the White Light of creation, before slipping away...

Thus, Zoom makes the Top 10 for numerous reasons. His nature as a time traveller, and rejuvenation after Blackest Night, render him a villain that appears ever present. When coupled with his resounding hatred of Barry Allen, this makes him a determined foe indeed, and one that will consistently try to thwart the Flash.

However, his vitriolic hatred of the Flash has also granted him a more important legacy. It was he, out of a desire to see Barry destroyed by his hand, that drew him back during the events of Final Crisis and more importantly, it becomes apparent that without Zoom’s attempts to kill Iris, Barry Allen would not have become the Flash, as it was his run through time that gave him his powers initially. Clearly, with such momentous events bearing Zoom’s stamp, he has earned his place on this list.

Year of The Black Rainbow

The trouble with concept art, be it music or anything else, is that either people tend to judge based on this premise, condemning something because of its medium, or they fail to take it into account, judging it on face value. For a band such as Coheed and Cambria, it is this that tends to colour opinions of them, be they music moguls or the man on the street, and yet the four piece; drummer Chris Pennie, bassist Michael Todd, guitarist Travis Stever and vocalist/guitarist Claudio Sanchez have just released their fifth studio album, a prequel to their previous albums. Still, critical acclaim or not, the band have what many would call a rabid fan base – so much so that they recently won MTV’s March Musical Madness, a play off of 64 bands, voted for by fans – and they have a willingness to constantly evolve their music, just as the concept it echoes advances.

(The band. R-L: Stever, Sanchez, Pennie, Todd.)

Indeed, for a concept as massive in scope as Coheed’s, it is hard not to be drawn into the world. The albums follow, or at least echo, the tales told within the universe of Heaven’s Fence, a fictional environment created by frontman Claudio Sanchez. A collection of 78 planets, held together by a beam of light known as the Keywork, Heaven’s Fence serves as the setting for the tale, as protagonist Claudio Kilgannon faces up to his destiny of becoming the Messiah figure of The Crowing, and defeating the evil Wilhelm Ryan – the man who submitted Heaven’s Fence to his rule, and caused the death of Claudio’s family. In amongst these stories, told in the comic books ‘The Amory Wars’, there are revelations concerning Claudio’s parents, Coheed and Cambria, as well as other individuals who are referenced in song lyrics, such as Ambellina, the angel-like Prise who becomes Claudio’s mentor. Clearly, with such huge ambition and scale, the tale told by Coheed and Cambria is bound to draw attention, and perhaps criticism, from some quarters. However, the tale itself is a sweeping sci-fi saga, with many varied undercurrents, such as love, loss and religious subservience, as well as a healthy dose of plot twists to keep it fresh. The distinction must be drawn then between the comics and story, and the music. One is there to tell a tale, the other merely to add lyrical interpretations and melodic pictures to the storyboard.

(The Keywork, the band's symbol and representation of the beams of energy holding Heaven's Fence together.)

Certainly, the band’s albums can be seen as a part of the story arc – from the opening events in The Second Stage Turbine Blade, to the Empire Strikes Back repercussions in In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth 3 and the revelations in Good Apollo, I’m Burning Star IV, Volume I: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness and Volume II: No World For Tomorrow. Indeed, the albums contain all the imagery of the comics, thanks to killer hooks, lyrical suggestions and epic guitar riffs that conjure up the images of a universe unlike our own. However, they are musically independent of the comics, a series of progressive prog-rock and post-hardcore songs that are remarkably hard to classify, yet all feature the unique vocal dexterity of Claudio and the ever evolving musicality of the band. Still, if one is familiar with the comics, then the music has yet another plane of resonance, for only a fan would understand the references to a certain Patrick in the song 33.

So, how to finish such a grandiose story if it has reached a conclusion? Quite simply, go back in time – a la A Phantom Menace – to before the story begins. This exactly what the band have done, creating the album Year of The Black Rainbow as a prequel, telling the story of Claudio’s parents, Coheed and Cambria. Released with a deluxe edition – containing a novel penned by Sanchez and novelist Peter David – the album certainly appeals to fans, filling in the gaps in the story, filling in some of the more background characters...but that is enough of that, lest I say too much.

On, then, to the album itself. Unlike the aforementioned Phantom Menace, Coheed have delivered a punchy, proggy, technically excellent album that acts well alone and as a brilliant underscore to The Amory Wars. Opening track ‘One’ is typical of Coheed’s opening songs, an atmospheric piece that ramps up tension, with melodic tones creating the air of a battlefield before a charge, before launching into ‘The Broken’ a drifting piece of prog that dances into an anthemic chorus before diving into a driving riff that, alongside some brutal drumming, keeps you on your toes. This is followed by the heavier ‘Guns of Summer’ with sweeping guitar effects, and duelling harmonies that are punctuated by Sanchez’s vocals. The album is then blown wide open by what is perhaps the most thunderous song on the album, ‘Here We Are Juggernaut’. Overdriven guitars and anthemic vocals combine with killer hooks and majestic harmonies to make this perhaps one of the most memorable songs of all five albums of material. Skipping ahead (so as not to spoil all of the album), the softer ‘Pearl of the Stars’ breaks up the heavy guitars with an atmospheric and emotional ballad, acoustically driven but still catchy as other songs on the album. ‘In the Flame of error’ and ‘Where Skeletons Live’ are excellent examples of prog at work, looping riffs and darting vocal harmonies, overdriven guitars and pulsing drum beats. The album ends with the titular ‘Year of the Black Rainbow’, a song that ties both the album together at the end, bringing out a dark, drifting atmosphere that then roars to a crescendo, as well as the entire concept, with the final seconds of the song bleeding into the first seconds of The Second Stage Turbine Blade, the next part of the story.

So, final thoughts. A magnificently executed album, Year of the Black Rainbow manages to mesh the overall scope of The Amory Wars into a tightly written and executed series of melodies, hooks and lyrics that underlines the concept without weakening it. Standing alone as a great piece of prog and post-hardcore music, the lyrics and music are universal in their emotion and message, but hold a special significance for any fans of The Amory Wars, showing how it is possible for critical success and conceptual story to hold hands. Only one question remains.

Where to now?

The New Doctor Who

So, David Tennant ended his run on Doctor Who in a rather epic way, and I am unashamed to say that I got a bit choked. After all, he reinvented the character after Eccleston’s great performance, and brought the sci-fi genre back to prime time TV where it belongs. Suffice to say then, Matt Smith has some rather large shoes to fill. After his brief, yet entertaining entrance as the Doctor regenerated, we now have had the chance to see him taking up the sonic screwdriver and dishing out alien justice. This blog is my musings and reflections on Matt Smith, and his performance as the Doctor. (Also, I don’t name aliens etc, and I try to avoid spoilers, just in case you missed it...)


















The new Doctor; Matt Smith.

His first episode, The Eleventh Hour, started with a glorious beginning, as we witnessed the TARDIS plummeting to Earth, all smoke and fire, with the Doctor clinging on for dear life. We also witnessed the greatest of TV staples, the narrow avoidance of groin injury. Cliché though it may be, it raised a smile. Following this however, we were treated to a rather epic introduction. Gone was the normal music, and instead the iconic tune was replaced by a juddering, broken version – magnificently reflecting the broken nature of the Tardis.

Then we get a brief intro to a young girl, who is obviously the young version of the new companion, and then the real fun begins...

Entering by clambering from his crashed TARDIS, the Doctor soon regales us with some quick fire banter, whilst in the midst of regenerating and demolishing a kitchens worth of food ...
“You’re Scottish, fry something.”
Already I like him, he’s a bit rubbery with his antics and his deadpan delivery brings a good chuckle. Just what you want.

Moving on, after meeting the ‘bad guy’ (guy in the loosest sense of the word), the most predictable part of the episode occurs: the time travel mishap, in which 5 minutes becomes 12 years (just enough time to age the co-star...). Indeed, upon arrival, the Doctor enters the house and is dealt with by a female occupant who is, clearly to all but the Doctor, the young Amelia Pond, but all grow’d up (and ‘too sexy’ according to the Daily Mail...). Anyways, after ignoring the Doctor, as all good sidekicks must, we are set – the baddie is loose, the world in danger...

So, now the Doctor has a test – how will he cope? Admirably I must say. Following the fast talking Tennant, Matt Smith keeps up the lively pace, portraying a knowledgeable Doctor, with the right doses of sarcasm and wit. And then we meet a gimmick. The idea of a photographic memory, that was hinted to before, as the camera flashes over everything, allowing the Doctor to figure out a plan. Well managed and clever, this could be quite a neat little trick (almost like Holmes in Guy Ritchie’s new imagining...) Then, gimmick number two. Breaking from Tennant’s iconic speech will be hard to do, but must be done to establish Matt Smith as a great Doctor... and he nails it. After giving a request, only to be blanked, he repeats with gusto:
“Man and dog. Why? Tell me now.”
Abbreviating the question while sounding almost perturbed that he has to repeat himself, and with a pinch of resigned condescension at having to do so, Matt Smith perfectly hits the role of hero with no time to waste. He repeats this little quirk later too, suggesting a recurring theme, and one that neatly slots into the idea of a Timelord who knows more than anyone around him, and has to constantly slow his mind down to get points across to mere humans. Brilliant.

Moving on again, trying to avoid too many spoilers (just in case), we come to a point where the Doctor has to set in motion a plan to stop the bad guy... Enter a brilliant little sequence of sarcasm and genius, as the Doctor proves himself to NASA etc, and the legend that is Sir Patrick Moore. Indeed, his little cameo had me giggling, and was a nice little refresher – as we have come to expect from Doctor Who. And, after asserting a nice little genius touch, we reach another highlight; the commandeering of a Fire Engine as a rescue vehicle. The joy on Matt Smith’s face as he zooms around was brilliant, and echoed Tennant’s exuberant Doctor, which is not a bad thing.

Then we have the showdown (which I won’t spoil), but it does have the Doctor on great form. Parading as a conquering general, his self-assurance oozes from Matt Smith, who carried off the idea of a triumphant Doctor with aplomb. But he’s not done. Using the phone of Amy’s ‘boyfriend’ (sort of...) he gets in a quick one liner (“Sorry about the bill”) before calling back the alien police who were chasing the bad guy, determined that they will be reprimanded for their actions on Earth. Raiding the cloakroom, the Doctor requisitions himself some new attire before heading to the roof.

The next instance is Matt Smith’s finest moment, and only the video does it justice...

Basically, run.

Epic.

The episode then concludes, leaving a few neat little touches. Firstly, the new Sonic Screwdriver. Unlike the old one, Matt Smith’s is green – a nice little hint at the changes to the show with the departures of Tennant and Russell T. Davies. Also, the nerd in me couldn’t help but smile at the fact that a new doctor gets a green screwdriver; my mind instantly compared it to Luke Skywalker getting his new green lightsaber after losing his (father’s) original blue one...but maybe that’s just how my mind works...
Anyways, the Doctor then jumps in his newly revamped TARDIS, taking it for a spin, before returning to pick up Amy. Surprise surprise, he’s late again, this time only by two years (enough to make her 21...the cynic in me reels...) and he tries to persuade her to come with him – a request to which she eventually agrees after making the Doctor promise she can return before tomorrow, before stepping into the new TARDIS, letting us all look into the newly designed interior – again another way of stepping away from the Tennant era. (I won’t spoil it with a picture, you’ll have to watch it to see it). The last thing we see is the inside of Amy’s room, past the Doctor toys and pictures she drew, up to (predictably) a wedding dress. Clearly, all the women in the Doctor’s life have to have some kind of man situation – good to see some traditions carried on...

So, overall then, it was an epic episode. Well written and directed, with all the expected Doctor Who familiarities, yet Matt Smith delvered us a new Doctor, fresh and eager, that manages to seamlessly transition away from Tennant. Indeed, the highest compliment I can pay him is that whilst watching it, I stopped comparing him to Tennant, and enjoyed him for who he was. Well done Matt, now we get to see what else happens, and after the juicy teasers at the end, I am officially psyched...

Still. One last time to say goodbye and for old time’s sake...

Allons-y!

Casual online gaming...

So this blog, moving on from the previous review, is going to concern itself with the world of online console gaming. A rather testy subject for some, who assert that it is a cause of growing levels of unfit and poorly motivated children, online gaming has nonetheless become more and more popular in recent years. Indeed, if you were to ask most twenty somethings have they played online, then most would probably say yes, be it on an MMORPG such as World of Warcraft, or on Call of Duty on Xbox Live.









(World of Warcraft - perhaps the most (in)famous of all online games)


I myself am certainly one of those twenty somethings who play games online, regularly in fact, on Xbox Live. This blog therefore is a catalogue of sorts, of my experiences and observations of hte types of people who you will notice online. I make no apologies that I make some sweeping generalisations, this is merely my perspective and observations, and that is only really from playing on the Xbox...

1) The competitive player.

Perhaps the most common sight online, this person plays to win. Not to be confused with the Spoilsport, this person takes losses in their stride, and will acknowledge their teammate's achievements. They are often found at high levels, with many unlockables or suchlike, but are usually willing to help you out. If you're on their team...

2) The Spoilsport

Much like the competitive player, the spoilsport plays to win. But, unlike the competitive player, the spoilsport is willing to kill teammates, or deliberately get in their way. Although incredibly vexing to play with, when you know you're facing someone of this ilk, it is oh so satisfying to take them down a peg or two.









(Call of Duty 4 - One of the most populous games online and home of most, if not all, of these individuals...)

3) The Child

Perhaps the biggest complaint of any online gamer is the plethora of loudmouthed, uncouth and generally aggravating children that frequent the wilds of the online gaming world. These individuals, whether actually children or not, delight in singing at/ verballing abusing/ deliberately obstructing any and all players they come across. Still, when you take them out in any way you can revel in their cries of 'Zomg, you f*****, you suck, I hate you and your mum.' And other such erudite responses.

(Fifa 10 - Probably the most successful online football game ever)


4) The power gamer

Almost a combination of profiles 1 and 2, the power gamer normally plays fair and square, but if he/she can further their character by taking you down, then they will. However, they can be usfeful to lurk with for a while, as they can help drag your skills up to. Even if that often leads to them deliberately targeting you for being somewhat of a freeloader...

5) Friends

The category with with I play the most. Friends are people you either know in real life, or well enough to hold a conversation with at the very least, and this makes gaming so much more fun. Be it storming an enemy stronghold, smashing in a game winning goal or any other activity, it's made so much more fun when you know who you're beating/bantering with. Indeed, it's only when you play with friends that you can have conversations such as:
"Tango spotted. Up high behind the rock."
"Ok, I'll drop him."
"Hold fire, I'll move up to cover you..."
"Take the shot."

Unless you're an actual soldier, there is no other time you can say the following with a straight face. And that, right there, is the joy of playing with friends, it's the natural evolution of make-believe and playing in the park. Where we used to run around shouting 'BANG' and then arguing over whether we were dead or not, we now have Xboxes and Call of Duty. How times have changed...


And now, an added bonus, a countdown of my current top 5 moments on Xbox Live, as played with my friends.

5) Hammer Down! In a usually explosive and chaotic game of Red Faction Guerilla, a friend and I decided to just use our sledgehammers and duel to the death. It must be pointed out that we only ever play this game amongst the two of us, and just because it is the perfect game to blow off steam.

What happened; Lining up with each other, both equipped with Jet Packs, we launched ourselves at each other and swung away. Jousting, future Mars style. It was one of the funniest things we've ever played, almost nothing compares to watching your friend get smacked across a map whilst flying through the air.

4) Greatest Comeback of All Time! A simple game of Fifa 10, using our Pros, became the most intense thing. Ever. My team: Newcastle United, his: Tottenham Hotspur, with both our Pros in the line up. (The Pros being a character that bears your likeness, in a team that you'll never ever play for...still, it fulfils one childhood dream...)
What happened; I took a 1-0 lead, through a goal from my Pro. He promptly scored to make it 1-1. Then 1-2. Then 1-3. Then the tides shifted, 2-3, 3-3, 4-3. In the 85th minute he equalised to make it 4-4. Then in the 86th, 5-4 to me. Then in the 92nd minute, 5-5. So. To extra time. The first half was all even. Then the second half began, and fate was on my side 6-5, then, with his team utterly demoralised, 7-5. It was, undoubtedly, the most tense match we've ever played.

3)It's the Bro Code! Playing a Team Deathmatch on Modern Warfare 2, my friend and I holed up in a building on the Invasion map. We only ever play the game as a duo, as it's much more fun to be able to talk and work together with someone. In doing so we have a Gentleman's agreement, in that if one needs help, the other comes running.
What happened; We were holed up in a building on the map Invasion, doing quite well and getting a fair few points, when my friend took bullets, and was dropped into his Final Stand. Needing me to cover him while he regenerated he called for my help, and I obliged by running over to him and standing nearby. Then, through the window comes a grenade. Trying to save both of us, I attempted to hurl it away, but only got it far enough to save my ally - I was too close. However, he recovered in time to take out the grenadier and avenge me. That moment was as cinematic as they come.

2) Ghillie Dive! Playing a one on one hunt the sniper match (in which one person is a sniper and the other hunts him) on Call of Duty 4, I pulled off a miracle dive over gunfire to land a hit with my knife. Like a Ninja.
What happened; On the Overgrown map of Modern Warfare, I was hiding in a bush, overlooking the central house. Upon seeing my friend drop from it, I vaulted the wall, sprinting along it to kill him with my knife. Unfortunately, he turned and saw me, opening fire. Doing the first thing I thought of, I jumped over him, above his head and lashed out with my knife, gaining the most outrageous kill I have ever pulled off.

1) Escape! Simply the most outrageously cinematic thing we have ever done. On Grand Theft Auto 4, in a free party game, with the police on.
What happened; We both were milling about, behaving like hedonistic individuals, when I accrued a wanted level. Seeking shelter, I hid inside a bowling alley, behind the check in counter. As wave after wave of Police came in, I repelled them. My friend who had, wisely, left me before he became caught by the Police was off gallivanting around trying to find a helicopter. Upon hearing his triumph at discovering one, I called for Evac (and I said Evac...). Happily obliging, he flew his newly acquired gunship through the Police helicopters, to land on a nearby beach. Opening fire with the gunship's weapons, he cleared a path and blew open the doors. Sprinting through the doors, I vaulted the railing and landing with a roll, and got up to sprint to the helicopter, all the while plumes of sand indicating the police fire nearby. Clambering aboard amidst a hail of bullets (we were both wanted by this point...) we took off and managed to evade our pursuers. Needless to say, we dished out some serious high-fives the next time we met, and it has gone down in the annals of my own gaming history as one of the greatest spontaneous moments ever.
















(The Annihilator - My saviour. Sure, GTA may be one of the most controversial games ever, but it definitely is fun. And it's a game...)


Well, that concludes this blog. I hope you found it entertaining. Please feel free to comment an tell your own online tales if you have them.

Oh, and remember, they are only games, and you should go outside every now and again...

Let's try a review of sorts.

So, the first thing (well...second after the Inaugublog) that I think I shall talk about are my feelings towards the TV series The Clone Wars, George Lucas' televisual foray into the 3D CGI world of Star Wars.

Initial impressions so far, for the second series are positive; it seems to have learned from the often laboured dialogue of the first, and has pushed more mature themes forwards, such as the issue of Mandalorian terrorists.

The first series often felt as if it was trying to find it's feet, the overall storyline often feeling compromised due to the telling of individual characters. The inclusion of races such as the Lurmen brought up feelings of emnity that are usually saved for Ewoks (even if I quite like Ewoks...), and occasionally the tales smacked too heavily of moral tales - looking at The Gungan General in particular...

Some, however, stood out in other ways. 'Rookies' was a highlight, with some strong dialogue and action, as well as a sympathetic cast. A further highlight were the episodes concerning Ryloth. Giving a broader view of the war from three standpoints, the often isolated battles as presented felt more coherent, and they introduced the characters of Waxer and Boil, two clones whose camaraderie was very refreshing.












(Waxer, left, and Boil comfort Numa, a Twi'lek orphan they discover during the fighting on Ryloth.)

The second series then, with a strong foundation to build upon, set about creating a more dynamic, action-orientated series, reflecting the fact that this was a brutal Civil War.

Opening episodes 'Holocron Heist', 'Cargo of Doom' and 'Children of the Force' brought a small narrative into the tales, blending them well, and resetting the cast in a more agressive stance - as well as bringing the new Boba Fett to light; Cad Bane.

The second series also brought more epic set pieces, with 'Landing at Point Rain' being particularly noteworthy in terms of action and direction; showing that even Jedi could make errors of judgement. It also brought back issues of humanising the often robot-like clones, especially in the episode 'The Deserter', in which a clone and Captain Rex have to assess their own positions as people, rather than just cogs in a war machine.









(Cut Lawquane, the clone who chose his humanity over warfare.)

The episodes surrounding Mandalore also brought up the past of Obi Wan, letting viewers glimpse a side of him that is just as fallible as his impetuous Padawan, a refreshing change of direction and pace - even if Anakin steals the show with a few well placed one liners. These episodes also bring in the Mandalorians. Although familiar to many with knowledge of the Expanded Universe, for others this was the first time this race was brought to life outside of video games. Presenting the ideas of terrorism on a neutral planet hammers home the idea of a galaxy totally splintered by war, and shows how planets were also riven by internal strife - it was not a case of choosing one side to fight for.








(Duchess Satine of Mandalore and Obi Wan Kenobi share a moment, a relationship that brings to light how even the most noble of Jedi were not above the lure of their emotions.)

Overall then, these series have brought to light new issues in the Star Wars universe, humanising the clones, showing the fallibility of the Jedi, and exploring the scope of the war. Whilst there are critics, be they of characters, or how these stories fit into the established Star Wars canon, or how the show has overwritten other works, it cannot be doubted that The Clone Wars has brought Star Wars to a new audience, which cannot be a bad thing...

Inaugural blog... Inaugublog...

So, this idea of blogging has been a vexing little thought flitting around in my head for a while...so I decided that I'd take the plunge, and publish some of the aforementioned neural sparks onto the interwebs.

As a basic premise, this will be home for any and all of the following; games, foodstuffs, stories, anecdotes, comic books and films, perhaps even reviews and discussions of those that get my juices flowing.

From Star Wars to Warhammer, from Green Lantern to Peter Pan in Scarlet, I will endeavour to do justice to the plethora of topics in my mind, hopefully bringing them to you in an entertaining manner...

Well. That'll do for my blog manifesto... The dreaded Inaugublog is complete. Now, where to next?
...