Rising and Falling....for JUSTICE!

Normally, I don't like to write negative blog posts - it's hard enough when I take on a snarky tone, but I would rather focus on the positive. To champion books that deserve it, or at the very least, point out hidden gems that deserve your love.

However, I am moved to write about Justice League: Rise and Fall Special # 1....because it is probably, without a doubt, one of the worst comics I have ever read.

Gratefully, I ended my reading of Justice League: Cry for Justice early on, because this book recaps the main thrust of the plot. Consider it another step towards the Meltzerization of the DC Universe - a process where characters are given much more complex personalities, highly improbable events meet rather purple first person exposition, and overall, a tone that this is serious stuff, people, so pay attention!!!

(And in all fairness, I liked five sixths of Identity Crisis)

It wouldn't be so bad if writer J.T. Krul was making an effort to write something unique, but this book hits all the over-the-top cliches. Superhero killing villain - check. Her declaring that villain never understood his "true nature - check". Hero hiding villains body - check. Significant other worrying about hero - check. Comrades finding out hero's secret through third antihero - check. And so on and so forth.

The art's OK - I'll give them that much.

I admit, this is sounding perilously close to a "they're-destroying-my-childhood" rant, and it's far from the truth. It seems as if DC Comics is stuck between two goals - appealing to the continuity-obsessed older fan (like me) and trying to be as "edgy" and "in-your-face" as Marvel. (I use those in quotes because, well, you get the idea). Unfortunately, books this Rise and Fall Special come across as turgid, overwrought, and really just unpleasant to read. I am all for bringing characters into the 21st century; I'm not for works that basically just engage in angst and drama for their own sakes.

I know there are nine more months in 2010, but I think we have our first candidate for Worst Comic of the Year.

Happy Birthday, Mike Sterling

The Mike Sterling Memorial Comic Book Rack
Originally uploaded by Bully The Little Stuffed Bull

Things have been crazy busy at work - I'll be (hopefully) doing a little bit more full-on blogging this week; however, I wanted to use this really cool photo from another cool blogger to wish Mike Sterling, the greatest comics blogger in the multiverse, a very happy birthday.

I owe you a nice, bug, firm, burly man-hug, Mr. Sterling.

This is Why I Dig Rich Lovatt

jackmetropolis
Originally uploaded by richlovatt

Here is your Wednesday moment of awesome, via Rich's son, Jack.

Well played, sir, well played. In fact, you may have just surpassed Mike Sterling in overall coolness.

(And please visit Rich's blog. You'll thank me later).

A Life Saving Post (In More Ways Than One)

"I'm the boy they can't ignore/for the first time in my life I'm sure/All the love sent up high to pledge/Won't reach the ledge


This is the crisis I knew had to come/destroying the balance I kept....

Unfortuntely, one of the more distressing trends within current popular culture is the increase in coverage of celebrity suicides. So much that, ironically, no coverage is being given to a man who has helped promote the idea of suicide prevention.

(And to answer your question - no, Robert Litman did not commit suicide. Shame on you for even thinking it. And the two quotes above are from songs about suicide, and one from a band whose lead singer hung himself, and yes, they're affiliate links.)

Being the public health advocate that I am, I wanted to chime in and be part of the solution. I seriously thought about this - I didn't want to be morbid, and as someone who's never known anyone to commit suicide, I've never been particularly affected by it.  But I did want to reach out - call it the power of the Internet. This is my attempt to share some resources, to help educate, and more importantly, to hopefully assist one person who's in pain, and who needs it.

First, I'm going to advise anyone who's thinking of committing suicide to please read this first. Don't worry, the blog will still be here. I love how the author puts the main motivation for suicide as:

"Suicide is not chosen; it happens when pain exceeds resources for coping with pain."

Amazingly simple yet incredibly powerful. You feel alone with, in reality, you're not. You're overwhelmed, and you feel you have no way out.

The next, hardest step is to reach out - find someone to talk to, someone to share your burden. Many cities have low-cost or sliding scale mental health centers. There are even hotlines that you can call in order to talk it through. (And in the UK, there's even people you can send e-mail to in order to share what's going on).

Also, educate yourself - the AFSP has a Twitter account that shares information and attempts to engage people in advocacy. You can find some good information about suicide through the National Institute of Mental Health. It speaks volumes that there are organizations that are spreading a message of hope.

But more importantly, there is another message that needs to be heard - it's easy to fall into the trap of taking people for granted, of treating them maybe less than respectfully. To not reach out and see how people are doing. Admittedly, this has been a tough week - not because of my birthday, but some health issues with Mom and some other matters that are best handled privately.

I'm eternally grateful for friends who have been there, and who legitimately wish me well. Somewhere, out there, is somebody who (for whatever reason)  is not as fortunate, and that person needs help.

Suicide should not be the hottest thing in pop culture. Let's work hard to keep it that way.