So, the writing over these next few pages may get a little hokey, but this is my [braak's] favorite art sequence in the entire story. Obviously, if it were up to me, the whole comic would look like this, but since I’m not the one that has to draw it, I don’t get to decide.
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Recently, Philip Marchand wrote a column for the National Post about how “fantasy” is “taking over” “science fiction.” The original post is here, and I’m going to talk about it a little bit–though, now that I’ve looked further into the matter, I’m not altogether sure who Philip Marchand is, or why I, or anyone else, should be even remotely interested in what he’s got to say.
He does quote from Robert Sawyer, who is a known science-fiction author, so I guess that’s…something? Anyway, the issue–the dividing line between fantasy and science fiction, is an interesting one, so let’s consider.
Neither rain nor snow nor dark of night shall keep Tommy Cait, Hand of Danger, from knocking the crap out of some punk suckers.
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Here is what Moon is, since most reviews seem deathly afraid of revealing its shocking twists: it is a solid, thought-provoking piece of science fiction; it is grounded in the dilemma of its warmly-developed central character (and a showcase for the always awesome Sam Rockwell*); and it is well-directed, focused on story and character over FX (in fact, it’s almost quaint in its use of models over CGI).
Here is what Moon is not, despite what the reviews (and the trailer, which to its credit, does backflips to keep potential viewers from immediately figuring out what’s happening) might have you believe: it is not particularly shocking or twisty.
District 9 is pretty rad, but you definitely don’t need me to tell you that. Strong direction and performances, really spectacular visual effects, interesting social commentary. The script’s a little weak in places, but this is a comparative measure; every moment of the script is superior to G. I. Joe, for instance; it’s just not as strong as all the other stuff in the picture.
So, I’m not going to review the movie; there are plenty of reviews available, and I doubt I’d say anything they won’t. Instead, I’m going to engage in one of my favorite activities, for which I’m not sure there’s a word. Geek-hypothesizing? It’s when, as a nerd, you sit down and analyze a movie in order to extrapolate a consistent set of rules for the universe depicted therein.
SPOILERS FOLLOW, obviously.
D-d-d-d-d-danger-er-er-er-er!
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I had recently gotten into a debate with a friend of mine who’s serving in Iraq and yet still finds time to heckle me over G-Chat about things he knows are gonna piss me off.
The debate was on state-to-state carry permits for concealed weapons, and I won’t bore you with the intricacies of the discussion, because ultimately, as it does with most gun-control vs. gun-enthusiast arguments, it boils down to: “You don’t need to be walking around with a gun!” vs. “But I want to walk around with a gun!”
And boy, did I think that was the most I was gonna have to worry about that subject for a while. Thanks, CNN, who reported, “A man toting an assault rifle was among a dozen protesters carrying weapons while demonstrating outside President Obama’s speech to veterans on Monday, but no laws were broken.” Oh, also he had a handgun and a clip in his back pocket.
(YESTERDAY, this was. And ain’t it just that fucked up of a country that “Unidentified man brings gun to presidential speech” isn’t an immediate top headline.)
Hey, Hand of Danger! I have to move all of my earthly possessions, unexpectedly, today, so I may not be able to get to a second post. However, Hand of Danger is always ready for action!
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[A new submission by Jennifer Culp. Jennifer Culp is a metalsmith; she earned a B.F.A. with a concentration in Jewelry and Metalsmithing in Spring 2009. Her website (which is still in progress but has lots of pretty pictures) can be viewed here: http://jennculp.com/)]
Kevin Reaves’s small-scale automatons are motionless and lifeless, but speak eloquently about the condition of individuals in the modern American workforce. “I feel like our society is so damn automated,” says Reaves. “Working in retail, the public just seems so robotic.”
Hand of Danger is here, and ready to…uh…you know. Dangerize. Things.
DANGER!
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