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REVELATIONS 2012-09 (Sep)
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An Old Joke
Back in the old country, an old man limped into the Old Synagogue. Slowly, he lowered himself onto a bench and prayed to God. God, he said, you know I have led a very hard life. You know I was orphaned as a boy. You know I struggled all my life to make a living, and yet I did good works. I looked for love, but was never blessed with a family. Now, in my old age, I am racked with pain in my legs and back. Always, I have observed your commandments, your guidelines, everything. I came to minyan every morning, rain or shine, and though I prayed for peace and good will, I never asked for anything for myself. I have tried my best to lead a righteous life as one of your chosen. Now, as I near my final breath, I need something from you. I know it is wrong to ask, but I need some proof that there can be happiness, joy in this life. I ask you now, let me win the lottery. As you know all, you know there is a weekly lottery here in this old city, where a winner is chosen every Wednesday afternoon. Let me win, God, please. Let me experience that joy. I will not keep the money. I will make the entire prize a mitzvah to the poor and the hungry. But let me win the lottery, God, please.
And so a week passed, and Wednesday afternoon came, and the old man did not win the lottery. So Wednesday night, he returned to the Old Synagogue to lower his old body down on the old bench, and again he prayed. Please, God, he said, let me win the lottery. It is my only dream, my last dream, to feel that simple pleasure of a victory, of success. Not a single coin will I keep for myself, God. But please, oh, please, just this once, let me win the lottery.
And so a week passed, and Wednesday afternoon came, and the old man did not win the lottery. So that night, once again, he returned to pray. Please, God, he said, I am a desperate man. I cannot go to my end without this. Let me win the Lottery. And God spaketh onto the old man, and God said: "Listen, you old fart, meet me half way, buy a damn ticket!"
That's the story, as I've heard it, handed down over years and years.
But, of course, the story doesn't end there. For on the next Wednesday, first thing in the morning, the old man did indeed go to buy a ticket to the Lottery. And as he was shelling out his last coin for the price of the ticket, he heard the storekeeper chuckle and say, you old fools and your lottery tickets. Don't you know that you have a better chance of being struck by lightning than of winning the lottery. And as this seemed reasonable to the old man, he put his coin away.
That's the story.
But, of course, the story doesn't end there. That afternoon, the old man did not win the lottery. But he was struck by lightning.
That's the story.
But, of course, it doesn't end there.
The old man died and was sent to heaven, where he found God rather sheepishly apologizing for taking his life. God said, you just really frustrated the hell out of me. But at least you're here in heaven. To which the old man asked, Do you have a lottery?
And that, of course, is the end of the story.
Derek writes...
You seemed to imply that White Martian were at the bottom of a caste system on Mars. If this is the case then Miss Martian having natural abilities exceeding a powerful green martian could potentially make her politically dangerous?
Greg responds...
In the sense that Paul Robeson was politically dangerous to bigots in the fifties, sure. But it's nothing new or unusual. There are no real biological between White, Green and Red Martians beyond the relatively superficial trait of skin color.
Anonymous writes...
Cartoon Networks usually limits most of their series to 65 episodes, despite how popular they are. Look at Teen Titans or Batman Brave and the Bold. Do you think that Young Justice will continue past 65 episodes or is there some requirement that production will cease after episode 65?
Greg responds...
I have no idea. I'm happy to have 46, and I'll take as many more as their willing to give us.
J writes...
I tried reading the bazillian questions alrardy asked & answeted, but I cannot find my first question anywhere (if it has been, I appologize, just skip to the second) and I do realize I will most likely get a spoiler message...but here goes:
1. Are the Hawks Carter & Shiara (sp?) or Katar & Shayla (heres hiping hoping for Katar)?
2. In previous answers you stated many times that keeping with early DC tradition was the main reason for using Dick & Wally - even once saying "it wouldnt make sense not to use Dick...my question is, where is that logic when it comes to Aqualad or Wondergirl? Dont get me wrong, I LOVE the new Aqualad (really wished Donna was going to br on the team, though), but it seems like this flies in the face of your own logic.
Greg responds...
1. If you're asking about their Thanagarian names, they're Katar & Shayera.
2. It doesn't. Look at the origins of ALL the other Robins. They depend on Dick already existing. Look at Nightwing's origin. It depends on him having been Robin first. In contrast, look at Aqualad's origin. It doesn't depend on Garth having already been Aqualad. It only depends on him taking heroic action, and Aquaman wanting a protege. Look at Cassie . The fundamental thing about her origin is her parentage, not her predecessor. Sure, Donna influenced Cassie's early appearances in the old comics, but her origin doesn't depend on Donna. In any case, I'm neither confirming or denying Donna's status on Earth-16.
Anonymous writes...
Hi Greg,
I've never done this kind of thing before but I'm actually extremely curious about a topic regarding to the series Young Justice. Sorry if this may seem confusing, but I'll try and get it out as simply as I can make it:
In the episode "Misplaced" when all of the kids and adults are separated into two different dimensions, Robin states that he can't even contact Red Arrow, letting the audience know that Red Arrow is either eighteen years old or possibly older. I also read a question that you had answered where you clarified this as being true.
However, after the episode Auld Acquaintance, it's revealed that Red Arrow is indeed a clone and has only been around for three years. So if I'm getting this right, the original Roy Harper is eighteen and thus is why the clone looks to be that age. But because the Red Arrow clone is really only three years of age, how come he's not in the same dimension as the kids? I don't know, maybe Klarion's magic took in the factor that physiologically, he is 18 years old.
Sorry for my ranting, but I'm just curious. Thanks!
Greg responds...
Basically, I think you answered your own question.
Nicole writes...
Dear Greg, I think you are an absolute genius with what you have done with Young Justice. As a twenty year old female college student, there isn’t a lot of things that will get me up early on a Saturday morning. But I cannot lie, Young Justice has tugged on the heartstrings of my inner child and I have truly enjoyed every episode. I love how the show is intended for a younger audience but throws in witty lines & scenarios for mature viewers too. I also really enjoy the “dark/edginess†of the plot that keeps you wondering even after the show has ended. The creativity, thoughtfulness and talent that you and your team put into every episode shows each week.
Wishing you continued success,
Nicole, (a dedicated fan hoping for a season 3!)
Greg responds...
Thank you so much!
meksters writes...
Hey Greg! I can't wait to see Wonder girl and the other new young heroes!
My question is about the original Roy, not the clone, while he was in the pod for three years(?) did he grow up and learn new things from the genomes? Or did he stay 15 y.o? I really can't wait to see what you guys do with this! I have a feeling his personality might differ slightly from clone Roy! Thanks! :D
Greg responds...
SPOILER REQUEST. NO COMMENT.
Jordan Wade writes...
Did vandal savage had any famous historical identities such as Caesar, Jack the ripper, and etc over his 50000 years?
Greg responds...
Yes, a couple.
Captain Fan writes...
Someone in a Captain Action discussion group, found a clip from a Gargoyles episode entitiled "Eye of the Beholder". There is a brief appearance by Action Boy, who is the sidekick of Captain Action, a 1960's action figure from Ideal toys. His emblems were blacked out, I'm sure for copyright purposes. I was wondering if someone envolved with the show was a Captain Action or Action Boy fan. Anyway, it was a cool thing to see.
Greg responds...
I have no memory of this, I'm afraid.
Todd Jensen writes...
The first season of "Young Justice" takes place over the course of half a year, starting on the Fourth of July and continuing to New Year's Eve in the Season One finale (with episodes set on Halloween and Thanksgiving along the way). I remember that the first season of "The Spectacular Spider-Man" similarly stretched from the start of the school year in September to Thanksgiving (with a Halloween episode along the way), and that the second season got up at least to Valentine's Day. The time progression in "Gargoyles" was more vague, but we had two Halloween stories ("Eye of the Beholder" and the Double Date story) and three wintry episodes in New York ("Her Brother's Keeper", which ends with a snowfall, "Re-Awakening", and "The Price"), as well as a clear timeline for the Stone of Destiny story.
I like this sense of the year's progress through the seasons and landmark days (like the Fourth of July and Halloween), but it doesn't seem that common in animated series outside your own work. I've seen two speculations on why that element is so rare in animated series. One is that a lot of the people who engage in such creative work aren't big on continuity and change, far less than you are. Another is that most people involved in creating animated television series live in or near Los Angeles and other parts of California, where the climate is pretty much the same year around and there's less a sense of four seasons than in other parts of the United States. I was wondering what your thoughts were on these theories.
Greg responds...
Both these theories seem valid to me, but they probably pale from the economic explanation: if you progress through the seasons then you have to redress backgrounds and characters, and that's expensive. Me, I believe it's WORTH the expense. But that's only true if you're really going to DO something with it. If you're not, then there's not much point. (We also did it on W.I.T.C.H. by the way.)
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