Pop Culture Roundup April 8, 2007

John August, screenwriter for a planned Captain Marvel film, doesn't see much value in the original comic book exploits of the character.

Why I’m not including the vintage collections
DC publishes hardcover anthologies that gather up decades’ worth of Captain Marvel comics. If I were writing a dissertation on the evolution of the Captain Marvel character, these would be invaluable. But I’m not. So every time I read one of these, I’m struck with the same realization I encounter trying to watch The Honeymooners or a black-and-white movie: Wow. Old things suck.

Yes, I know that will piss off the vintage comics fans, who insist that the original incarnations are the purest forms of a character. But what you quickly realize is that old-time comic books were awkwardly written, crudely drawn, and bewilderingly inconsistent with their rules. They were making up the art form as they went along, and today’s comic books are better for the accumulated wisdom.

Vintage fans are free to disagree. There’s a vast but finite amount of comic books to last them through their days.


Great. I'll stick with the vintage comic books then and skip the crappy movie you're writing, John. But the thought comes to mind: If comic book heroes in their original form are somehow not good enough for those writing movies--let alone current comic book writers who feel the need to update and make more "realistic" these characters--why not use your incredible cutting edge talents to create your own, new heroes that matter meet your oh-so-hip needs?

I mean, what's the point of making a Captain Marvel film if it doesn't evoke the whimsical spirit of the Fawcett Comics incarnation of the character? Anything DC did afterwards was either a pale imitation or completely missed the point.

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Speaking of crappy comic book movies, Ghost Rider co-creator Gary Friedrich has sued Marvel Enterprises, Sony Pictures Entertainment and others involved with the recent "Ghost Rider" film for copyright violations.

Friedrich claims the copyrights used in the film and in related products reverted from Marvel to him in 2001.

...Friedrich...accuses Marvel of waste for failing "to properly utilize and capitalize" on the Ghost Rider character. Marvel's attempts to do so, Friedrich claims, have only damaged the value of his work by failing to properly promote and protect the characters and by accepting inadequate royalties from co-defendants. Friedrich also claims that toymaker Hasbro and videogame firm Take-Two have improperly created merchandise based on the characters.


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And here's another case of "why bother?": Screenwriter/producer David Goyer of "Batman Returns" fame wants to use the character of Green Arrow in an upcoming film, in which the hero is "incarcerated in a special prison and stripped of his powers."

"Super Max" begins with a traditional comicbook hero, but the storyline takes a turn as Green Arrow's true identity is revealed and he's forced to band together on an escape attempt with the very villains he's previously imprisoned.

I mean, why make it Green Arrow? Especially, since Green Arrow has no "powers" to begin with? Only the marksmanship necessary to land a boxing glove arrow on a villain's jaw? Why not create you're own friggin' hero? and save on all the royalties, etc., you'll need to split with DC for the honor of using their character in name only? Most of the general public has never even heard of Green Arrow in the first place, so the name itself is no draw.

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Head-scratching news from Beatle land: Neil Aspinall, with the band since its first days first as a road manager and then for decades as the head of its Apple Corps management company, is leaving. Is he retiring? Was he fired? This news release offers no explanation. One thing's for sure, though: If there was a fifth Beatles, Neil is/was the guy--closer to the band members than producer George Martin or their late manager Brian Epstein.

London, England, Tuesday, April 10, 2007 – Today Apple Corps Ltd. announced that Jeff Jones will become Chief Executive Officer of Apple Corps Ltd.

Apple welcomes Jeff, who comes with over 30 years experience in the music business with a brilliant record. He leaves his position of Executive Vice President, Legacy Recordings/Sony BMG Catalog Worldwide where he has been since 1995.

Apple also announces the departure of Neil Aspinall, who had been with John, Paul, George and Ringo for a spectacular 40 plus years, during which he played an indispensable role for the four. He was there since the inception of the band in Liverpool and has meant so much to the Beatles' family for all these years and still does. However, he has decided to move on. Apple as a whole, and each member of this company, wishes him great success in whatever endeavor he chooses to pursue in the future.

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