Welcome to the comment room, Nicholas. There's not much conversation here these days, I'm afraid (apart from Matthew's "Young Justice" reviews, which are very good) - though we did get a bit of excitement a while back with both the new Goliath action figure and a certain scene in the "Duck Tales" finale. Maybe you can offer some new thoughts on the series.
Todd Jensen
posted @ Sat, Apr 10, 2021 7:35:15 pm EDT from 68.231.89.246

Hello I’m Nicholas or Nicky for short I’m a huge gargoyles fan I have seen every episode like a 100 times no show was better than Gargoyles. When I first saw the Gargoyles I wasn’t scared I was more interested in them because they looked so cool. Thanks to Gargoyles I got hooked on mythology I and boy it is fun reading about different heroes, monsters and adventures its so cool. My favorite gargoyle would have to be Goliath besides being the leader he is also wise and I knew he and Elisa would fall in love since the first season. I wonder if there will be a sequel or perhaps a reboot that would be cool. I wish there were spinoffs of the show like the other gargoyles from across the world or the olympians that would be so cool. Maybe for the reboot or sequel the gargoyles should have a kid friend like Tom its just a thought. My favorite episode of gargoyles would have to be Avalon because it tells what happen to the princess and the eggs. After seeing the Banshee episode on Disney Plus I went to Ireland with my family to visit my grandpa and I learned about the stories they were awesome. I will carry my love for Gargoyles everywhere I go and carry the fun memories the Gargoyles gave me.
Nicholas Thayer - [Nthayer109 at gmail dot com]
NT
posted @ Fri, Apr 9, 2021 10:10:55 pm EDT from 108.53.170.17

Also H.G. Wells d:
Phoenician
"The suspense is terrible, I hope it lasts" -- Willy Wonka
posted @ Fri, Apr 9, 2021 10:03:14 pm EDT from 68.2.172.8

I can't recall "Young Justice" doing any Shakespeare shout-outs, except maybe the episode with Princess Perdita and the super-villain-created snowstorm (assuming that the combination was intended as a nod to "The Winter's Tale"). Lewis Carroll in this episode, yes, and a few mentions of "The Mysteries of Udolpho".
Todd Jensen
posted @ Fri, Apr 9, 2021 8:02:33 pm EDT from 68.231.89.246

Thanks Todd, I remember this episode stands out to me because instead of the usual Shakespeare shout-out Greg is known for doing we get Lewis Carroll instead.

It also stands out to me that the lightness of is undone pretty quickly this season, and it's heralded with the next episode...
Matthew
Remember, young or old, rich or poor, friend or foe. We're all in this together.
posted @ Fri, Apr 9, 2021 3:23:46 pm EDT from 64.85.245.77

Sorry, should have been "Adam Strange", not "Adam Smith".
Todd Jensen
posted @ Fri, Apr 9, 2021 8:36:51 am EDT from 68.231.89.246

MATTHEW - Thanks for the new review.

My memories of Season Two of "Young Justice" are mostly vague; the most familiar element in your review was Adam Smith's Lewis Carroll-quoting, and even that I remember more because I mentioned it in my mini-review in the comment room (I'd reread those reviews after reading your reviews) than directly.

Your talk about the "Earthling" term reminded me, though, of the scene in Season One where Conner was giving that impressive summary of Rhelasian history at school, then concluded it with wondering aloud why the two Rhelasian nations are at odds with each other when they're all humans. (That part I did remember directly.)
Todd Jensen
posted @ Fri, Apr 9, 2021 8:35:56 am EDT from 68.231.89.246

"In Media Res" strikes again. Watched "Earthlings" today which brings the very first extraterrestrial adventure for our heroes. The episode itself also brings a lot of revelations to the story as well, though not the missing sixteen hours, that they're saving for the next episode. Instead, the episode fills in a lot about the three Team members while providing hints for future episodes.

As I've mentioned before, I don't usually focus on the relationship side of shows. If it's done right then there's nothing more to say on the matter, but relationships factor pretty heavily here as there's an underlining tension throughout the episode. There's Adam and Alanna's not-so-subtle attraction between the two of them and a large amount of awkwardness between Conner and M'gann. The nature of two team members dating was touched upon in season 1 as we saw that both Conner and M'gann had prioritized each other at inopportune times before they each had the chance to mature. And now we have the problems of two exes working together on a mission; we see that Beast Boy doesn't like the two of them being broken up and even though the two of them do care for each other it doesn't take long for the tension to resurface.

To begin with, I like that Conner lays out some of the problems they had even before they broke up and it's revealed that Conner won't ever age externally. Now the idea of looking like you're in your prime for the rest of your life is going to appeal to a lot of people and I understand that. On the other hand, Superboy already carries a bit of angst over his creation so him being stuck the way he is and being paired with someone who can change form whenever she pleases is going to create a bit of an...let's just say imbalance for the moment. But the true shock comes from the fact that it was Conner who broke things off, and the wording used, "She left me no choice." Even if the reason isn't revealed yet we do get hints, such as the look of displeasure when M'gann psychically links everyone without warning and then there's what happens to that Krolotean leader...

Here's also where we see what happened to Marie Logan, while I've already talked about it when we covered the tie-in comics, I'd like to discuss its aftermath. I was a little curious about Beast Boy's design and wondered if that was just his default look or whether he did the monkey look because he's a kid. As we see though his default form is just a green human boy and that raises some theories, perhaps that he chooses this form to distance himself from that old life back when he was just a normal little boy. Before his life came crashing down. And that also may explain why M'gann looks distinctly different from her old Megan appearance, perhaps she doesn't want to reopen those wombs by reminding her little brother of his mother. Identity can carry with it certain memories, memories that carry more weight than people are able to deal with. But that's something for season 3.

Some Final Thoughts: I have to say I really like the look of Rann, it balances an eerie but beautiful atmosphere just perfectly. You know it's funny that right after Beast Boy relates the story of Conner accidentally picking poisonous Sumac flowers and just a few minutes later he almost gets eaten in the blue sand bog. You'd think that someone so involved with nature would remember that "beautiful but deadly" equally applies to Earth's nature. Rann was an interesting choice for the first space trip as the inhabitants are tradionally depicted as looking exactly like humans. Here however they have a much more exotic look to them, I kinda like it. Also, I actually feel a little bad for the Kroloteans at the end, abandoned by the others in an inhospitable jungle with their leader brain-blasted into a vegetable.

I'd also like to touch upon the use of "Earthlings" as the nomenclature for our heroes, It brings to mind the complexities that we ourselves use on things like race. Despite the fact that the Team includes a Martian and a half-Kryptonian, they're still treated as Earthers because Superboy has lived his whole life on Earth and M'gann is fully steeped in Earth culture. It reminds me of other derivatives found in media, the Rannians treat them as Earthlings because they came from Earth and further classifications aren't needed.

Acting MVP: The cast does a terrific job here, Nolan North's struggle to open up to a complete stranger, Danica McKellar fully embracing the big sister role. At the same time, I really like Michael Trucco and Jaqueline Obrador's Adam and Alanna. You can feel the affection bleeding through even when they're speaking entirely different languages.

DC Profiles: Adam Strange was created during the early days of the Silver Age when space exploration was beginning to take hold. He was accidentally zapped to Rann through Zeta-Beams, naturally occurring energy beams with teleportation properties, where he met and adventured with Alanna and Sardath. Early drama came from the fact that once the effect wore off, Adam would be zapped back to Earth. Eventually that went away and he settled on Rann and started a family with Alanna.

Favorite Lines:

Beast Boy: Whoa. I am totally walking on an alien planet. Wow, sis, you must say that, like, everyday on Earth.
Miss Martian: Actually, I kind of do.
Beast Boy: Wait, we can breathe the air here, right?

Superboy: Look, enough with this earthlings thing. I am half-Kryptonian, and Miss Martian is, well Martian.
Sardath: You came here from Earth, did you not?
Superboy: Yeah, but we are not-nevermind.

Adam Strange: "Beware the Jabberwock, my son! The jaws that bite, the claws that catch! Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun The frumious Bandersnatch!"
[Bobs the guard]
Adam Strange: Got your nose! No time to say Hello, Goodbye, I'm late, I'm late, I'm late!
Alanna: Jabberwock? Bandersnatch?
Beast Boy: His last name *is* Strange.
[Adam rockets away]
Adam Strange: And down the Rabbit Hole I go!

Beast Boy: Race you to the Mag-Rail!
Miss Martian: Slow down, Gar! Before a carnivorous tree takes a bite out of you.
Beast Boy: No worries... you can give me another blood transfusion... wonder what power I'd get this time?
Miss Martian: The power to listen to your adoptive sister maybe?.
Beast Boy: Sorry... didn't hear that.

Beast Boy: They still trying to capture us, or is it just a bitter revenge thing now?
Superboy: Either way, we discourage them. Game?
Beast Boy: Me? I'm big game!
Superboy: Kid, you may just change my mind about monkeys yet!
Matthew
Remember, young or old, rich or poor, friend or foe. We're all in this together.
posted @ Fri, Apr 9, 2021 5:13:48 am EDT from 64.85.245.77

I'd like to thank Bishansky for adding that entry on the NECA action figures at GargWiki; from all that I've read about them, they certainly deserve an entry.
Todd Jensen
posted @ Thu, Apr 8, 2021 9:19:41 pm EDT from 68.231.89.246

I don't remember if I saw the timeskip as it aired - I think I must have, but if I was disappointed by it then I think I've forgotten it entirely, and by the time I rewatched it was such common knowledge that I wasn't surprised, it was just another part of the show.

All these years later, even though of course I'd love to see the missing years, the timeskips have grown on me. Part of that is that, by now it's clear that they're just part of the show's foundation, part of the story that the crew set out wanting to tell on a fundamental level. And, I have to say, overall I like it! The concept of a long-running, giant alternate version of the DC universe, that we only get to see snapshots of, is really cool, and I can't think of any other adaptations that actually did this, or made it a recurring feature. It gives the show a bit of a feeling like binge-reading different comic series - you'll see a story or two in a particular run, then jump to another point in time or another group, but they're all connected.

Also, Elan's preference aside, I do actually like puzzling out what's happened over the course of a season, and the timeskips make an interesting puzzle to fiddle with. Plus, from a transformative works and theory-crafting perspective, I do appreciate having such open territory for speculation and missing-scenes ideas to guess at what happened.
Karrin Blue
posted @ Thu, Apr 8, 2021 9:15:55 pm EDT from 68.14.16.66

Thanks for the link, Antiyonder.

A new thought I had about the "Gargoyles" allusion in the final episode of the "Duck Tales" reboot. [SPOILER] The adversary of Manny, the Goliath-counterpart, whose battle with Manny led to his "Gargoyles" moment, was the Phantom Blot, who wore a hood concealing his entire head. Now, the Phantom Blot's been a long-standing Disney villain (he was created in 1939 as an antagonist for Mickey Mouse), and was hooded from the start - but might they have chosen him as Manny's opponent because of that hood? Note, also, that he was established earlier in the series as a fanatical, vengeance-driven enemy to a scheming sorceress. Did the "Duck Tales" production team have all this in mind when they pitted Manny and the Phantom Blot against each other, or was it just a happy coincidence? [/SPOILER]
Todd Jensen
posted @ Thu, Apr 8, 2021 7:39:53 pm EDT from 68.231.89.246

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JodqOKTac0

It's a linked I shared as it has writer Dana Simpson doing a reading of Phoebe and Her Unicorn, but this one of Volume 2 includes Nicole Oliver (Princess Celestia and Cheerilee in My Little Pony Friendship is Magic) voicing the Unicorn.

Have to say if the cartoon goes with the Ocean Group or at least a mixed cast, yeah I think she'd be a good Va for Marigold.
Antiyonder
posted @ Thu, Apr 8, 2021 3:03:33 pm EDT from 71.93.3.194

Her tone is that it's difficult not to be vain when you're as magnificent a unicorn as she is.
Todd Jensen
posted @ Thu, Apr 8, 2021 8:31:49 am EDT from 68.231.89.246

https://www.gocomics.com/phoebe-and-her-unicorn/2012/04/22

First link to the strip from April 2012.

Volume 6 and 8 of the published stuff contains an exclusive book length story, but even if not I (and Todd) like it enjoy to have physical copies.

Todd Jenson> Her Unicorn friend vain? Just don't see it:-D.
Antiyonder
posted @ Wed, Apr 7, 2021 10:18:41 pm EDT from 71.93.3.194

MATTHEW - It's about a little girl who befriends a comically vain (but still likable) unicorn. It's quite enjoyable.
Todd Jensen
posted @ Wed, Apr 7, 2021 8:34:12 am EDT from 68.231.89.246

Never heard of it, is it any good?
Matthew
Remember, young or old, rich or poor, friend or foe. We're all in this together.
posted @ Wed, Apr 7, 2021 6:00:12 am EDT from 64.85.245.77

ANTIYONDER - So did I.
Todd Jensen
posted @ Tue, Apr 6, 2021 10:27:07 pm EDT from 68.231.89.246

Not a miracle, but got Volume 13 of Phoebe and Her Unicorn "Unicorn Famous".
Antiyonder
posted @ Tue, Apr 6, 2021 10:24:34 pm EDT from 71.93.3.194

Ticked me off something fierce because the original was pretty long.

On a lighter note, I got an Easter miracle. Turns out the data I thought was lost was saved on Microsoft so I don't have to spend a lot of money getting my data recovered.
Matthew
Remember, young or old, rich or poor, friend or foe. We're all in this together.
posted @ Tue, Apr 6, 2021 9:32:37 pm EDT from 64.85.245.77

MATTHEW - I've been there. Thank goodness you were able to reconstruct the review.
Todd Jensen
posted @ Tue, Apr 6, 2021 7:38:29 pm EDT from 68.231.89.246

Thanks Todd, this was supposed to go up Monday morning but my internet faltered right as I clicked on preview. And unfortunately this site doesn't let you save your work so I had to do the whole thing over.
Matthew
Remember, young or old, rich or poor, friend or foe. We're all in this together.
posted @ Tue, Apr 6, 2021 11:55:30 am EDT from 64.85.245.77

Thanks for the latest review, Matthew.

The time skip was the main thing I remembered about the opening of Season Two of "Young Justice", though I don't recall now how I felt about it. (Since I had a more casual interest in the series, I doubt my opinions were that strong on it.)

Since you mentioned G. Gordon Godfrey - he's struck me as a major reason why it's a good thing we'll never see the gargoyles in Earth-16, at least officially (the two series being owned by rival properties making certain of that). Godfrey would almost certainly insinuate that the gargoyles were aliens - and probably thereby mislead the audience into thinking that the gargoyles *were* aliens (in light of how "Sentinel", which was designed partly to counter the "gargoyles are aliens" fan speculations, wound up re-inforcing it instead).
Todd Jensen
posted @ Tue, Apr 6, 2021 8:38:13 am EDT from 68.231.89.246

"Awww, man! I hate it when a scene begins 'in medias res'! I never know what's going on until like two strips later!" -Elan "The Order of the Stick"

Watched "Happy New Year" today which starts off season 2 and a lot of big changes to the lineup. I'll be honest the decision to suddenly jump five years into the future and shakeup the cast wasn't exactly the most popular thing to do when this episode first premiered and I was one of those not happy about it. For audience members who had followed the characters every step of the way since the beginning, the sudden change feels like they've been cheated out of a lot of those steps. And like the quote above, they have to play catch-up with what's been going on in the story and there's no guarantee that they'll be caught up in a satisfying way. The main cast is now missing three key members without any mention of what happened to them, Zatanna and Rocket have left the Team for the League and so it's implied they won't be taking part in any further adventures, Dick has moved on to his Nightwing persona and Tim Drake has taken up the mantle implying that Jason Todd has already met his unfortunate end and M'gann and Conner have broken up offscreen.

The episode picks up on two important points from the finale: one is the missing sixteen hours. I actually find it a little incredulous that our heroes are only now just picking up clues to this considering that Earth's heroes have three Green Lanterns. Either the Guardians of the Universe are pretty lax in what information gets to their Lanterns or the three of them don't get out to Oa very often. The second point comes from Vandal's plan of having Earth take its place in the center of the cosmos, as this opens up Earth to the attention of a lot of different aliens as we see with the Kroloteans and more to come. And consequently anti-alien sentiments begin to form in thanks to G. Gordon Godfrey (who seems to be channeling every right-wing media host from the last 20 years).

This episode marks a big change to how the series runs from now on, in season 1 the cast generally stayed pretty tight-knit for each mission, barring the occasional absent member. But with the Team almost doubled we instead get smaller groups for each mission and consequently the group dynamics seriously change. That's why it's so important for new characters to make a strong impression early on; for Gamma Squad we have Tim Drake the professional but unsure leader, Lagoon Boy the new hothead, and Blue Beetle the laidback snarker with his own quirks. The Kroloteans make for a good starter villain for the season, without their tech having to rely on swarm tactics. I also like the foreshadowing seen here, going from an all out attack to a panicked retreat the moment the leader points out Blue Beetle.

This season is all about venturing into the unknown, not just for the characters but the audience as well, and there's nothing more wonderous nor terrifying than the act of discovery...

Some Final Thoughts: We see M'gann sporting a new look but that's something we'll go into more detail next episode. Incidentally, that glare Conner gives at the M'gann and La'gaan's reunion, it looks like it's directed towards La'gaan considering his more aggressive attitude, but we'll soon see there's a lot more to unpack. Fun fact: Mal Duncan acting as mission control was his first job when he joined the Teen Titans, he didn't have any superhero experience but wanted to help out and stay close to his girlfriend Bumblebee. We'll also see more on the complexities of their relationship. The Krolotean's captives include a few cameos, like Bibbo briefly seen in "Schooled" and Noor Harjavti from "Image." I like the bit of the League and the Team descending on Gamma Squad like at the end of "Fireworks" but with the validation twist at the end.

Acting MVP: Cameron Bowen plays Tim Drake quite well, balancing youthful anxiety with cool professionalism. I actually like how he contrasts with Dick's first attempt at leadership, he was bursting with confidence but poor with communicating while Tim is hesitant but direct and intelligent with his leadership.
David Soblov was an inspired choice for Lobo and Tim Curry as G. Gordon Godfrey is such a delight.

DC Profiles: Tim Drake was the third person to take on the Robin mantle, an ordinary Gothamite who managed to deduce Batman's secret identity. He was recruited not long after Jason Todd's death and was the original leader for the Young Justice team in the comics. His intelligence also earned him the respect of Ra's al Ghul who also bequeathed him the title "Detective."

Favorite Lines:

Lobo: So that's how you wanna play it? Fine. Contract calls for the Main Man to put on a show for the locals. So one more time, surrender or die.
"Tseng": Contract? Show?
Lobo" Die it is.

Wonder Girl: Hold it, clownface! We weren't done dancing!
Lobo: Keesy fem!
Wonder Girl: Yeah, yeah, "keesy fem." I've been called worse... I think?

Nightwing: Tim. You'll be running Gamma.
Robin: Me? Dick, I've never led a squad before.
Nightwing: Making this a good opportunity to get your feet wet as a field leader.
Robin: Because it's Gamma and you're not expecting trouble? Or because we're stretched thin and you have no choice?
Nightwing:...Just don't die, okay. And no unnecessary risks to the squad. That's an order.

Lagoon Boy: Congratulations, Blue. You took out an actual toolshed.

Blue Beetle: Three minutes thirty, ese! Then, boom!
Robin: And Nightwing said no unnecessary risks to the squad. But this is necessary!

Robin: Ask him the fastest way out.
Blue Beetle: Dude, I don't speak the—wait, you can? Well what are you waiting for?!
Lagoon Boy: Blue's an odd little fish, isn't he?

Lagoon Boy: That's Right! Gamma Squad rules!

Nightwing: Dude! Way to get your feet wet!
Matthew
Remember, young or old, rich or poor, friend or foe. We're all in this together.
posted @ Tue, Apr 6, 2021 4:07:25 am EDT from 64.85.245.77

This is definitely a good week in the comment room for April in classic poetry (well, just two entries so far, but still...). And it's appropriate, since April is National Poetry Month.
Todd Jensen
posted @ Mon, Apr 5, 2021 8:58:29 pm EDT from 68.231.89.246

April is the cruellest month, breeding
Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing
Memory and desire, stirring
Dull roots with spring rain.
Winter kept us warm, covering
Earth in forgetful snow, feeding
A little life with dried tubers.
Summer surprised us, coming over the Starnbergersee
With a shower of rain; we stopped in the colonnade,
And went on in sunlight, into the Hofgarten,
And drank coffee, and talked for an hour.
Bin gar kine Russin, stamm' aus Litauen, echt deutsch.
And when we were children, staying at the archduke's,
My cousin's, he took me out on a sled,
And I was frightened. He said, Marie,
Marie, hold on tight. And down we went.
In the mountains, there you feel free.
I read, much of the night, and go south in the winter.
Karrin Blue
posted @ Mon, Apr 5, 2021 8:26:18 pm EDT from 68.14.16.66

First.

Next came fresh April full of lusty-head,
And wanton as a kid whose horn new buds;
Upon a Bull he rode, the same which led
Europa floating through th' Argolick floods;
His horns were gilden all with golden studs
And garnished with garlands goodly dight
Of all the fairest flowers and freshest buds
Which th'earth brings forth and wet he seem'd in sight
With waves, through which he waded for his love's delight.

Edmund Spenser, "The Faerie Queene"
Todd Jensen
posted @ Mon, Apr 5, 2021 8:39:00 am EDT from 68.231.89.246