Quite the week.
First, I’ll start off by saying #CoyoteVsAcme is hands down the best movie I’ve seen in a while. Forget the Sisyphus of it all - both the metaphor AND the journey to the screen - I’d have loved this thing just as much if it were released in the usual fashion.
That corporate greed almost buried this piece of art like the Arc of the Covenant and enough people raised their voices that Ketchup Entertainment heard it and took a $50 million dollar risk to bring it to us in the year of a trillionaire is nothing short of miraculous.
It really should be Zazlav’s outline faceplanting in the dirt.
It was also a week that brought us the first episode of Lanterns after the usual rage baiters lost their shit over episode 3. Apparently the mere discussion of race is enough to make all the snowflakes melt right out of their pillow case and bed sheets. Please note: I’m not saying everybody who hates Lanterns is racist - but I am saying every racist hates Lanters. It was dark, gritty, dense and the tension between Hal and John was something to behold.
I also, on a flight, watched “Superman.” A movie I truly enjoyed - because it brought back the Christopher Reeves version of this character. I don’t like my superman broody, and I enjoyed it. Maybe you liked it. Maybe you didn’t. Either way, it’s cool.
But seeing those three things in the same week, something occurred to me:
Superman: Bright, colorful, hopeful and kind. Unashamed and completely uncynical. Superman’s strength comes not from the sun (it helps, sure), and not from his birth parents eugenic desires (a twist I liked); but from how he was raised. His found family probably saved the Earth through their parenting.
Lanterns: Dark, gritty, cynical of authority and deeply rooted in the now. These people are real and aren’t afraid to - as the writer has said - “ring true.” Without spoilers - Episode 4 had Hal and John getting closer… and you don’t know if they’re playing a game with each other, really mean it, or something in between… it keeps you guessing which is fun
And then there’s Coyote Vs. Acme: It’s Timeless. Not a single pop culture reference in there (and I love a good one) to root the movie to a moment in time. Nothing to pull you out of the characters or the story and into the now. I can only think of one joke where I laughed at the revisionist history of a character - I won’t spoil it because it’s awesome - but it wasn’t so bald to take you out I’d the film.
And the skill it took to emote heart between key characters wordlessly? To give The Roadrunner the pure heart and twist the Coyote’s story both in script and visuals so he’s the hero AND still wants to kill and eat the bird and yet you still love him? Nostalgia without being schmaltz, hard laughs… just perfect.
And James Gunn had a hand in ALL THREE of these things.
Sure: There were co-writers, different directors, different producers. I feel like the best people for each of these projects were tagged in - casting, producing, directing… all of it.
But that bodes well for the #DCU. Every character has a different tone, a different origin. In the same way - after reading comic books for as long as I have - I have different favorite eras and characters… it seem like Gunn’s universe will have something for everyone.
I like my Nightwing hopeful and altruistic- like Tom Taylor’s run.
Matt Fraction’s Batman isn’t as grim and gritty as we’ve seen, but the toys are amazing and when he’s pissed, he is. It’s a great run so far.
G. Willow Wilson’s take on Cassandra Cain Batgirl - again, my favorite Batgirl - beats the Barbara Gordon one (but barely when in Gail Simone’s capable hands).
Ron Marz’ Green Lantern. Mark Waid’s current take on Batman and Robin (and the Justice League).
The 1997 Morrison Justice League: This is the Justice League I hope they moving toward. Although the click bait of a Justice League International workplace comedy suckered me but good.
I’m sure there will be a something I don’t get some joy out of. It hasn’t happened yet but the thing that isn’t for me could be the thing that is for you. And that’s not going to be the loudest, click bait-test take on things. I get it.
But it does allow me to enjoy more things, even if I enjoy them differently.
Assuming the Ellisons don’t ruin it all.
— Steve
P.S. Don’t worry Marvel, I still love you and I’ll be at “Avengers: Doomsday” opening weekend.
Thank u so much. Hugs