BW’s Daily Video> When Sex Scenes Become Problematic

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There is only one time the sex scene benefited something I saw. In Lethal Weapon 2, Riggs is getting it on with some girl. No nudity that I recall but while they’re getting it on helicopters are coming to blow him up because the villain somehow thought “diplomatic immunity” meant he could literally get away with anything. There’s tension as to whether or not Riggs and his “date” (if memory serves it was a random hookup but I didn’t see the full movie–need to check that franchise out) is going to get blown up or if they’re going to stop in time to make their escape. I won’t ruin it, but given there were a bunch more movies after that you can guess.

Personally I find that sex scenes take time away from the story. As the hosts notes we don’t have to see them doing the deed to know they did the deed. So why bother? Especially in cases where the performers aren’t comfortable doing it.

Chapter By Chapter> Batman: Knightfall part 2 chapter 17

Chapter By Chapter (usually) features me reading one chapter of the selected book at a time and reviewing it as if I were reviewing an episode of a TV show or an issue of a comic. There will be spoilers if you haven’t read to the point I have, and if you’ve read further I ask that you don’t spoil anything further into the book. Think of it as read-along book club.

PART 2: KNIGHTQUEST

Today’s chapter is only about 5 pages, and that’s on a technicality in the paperback version. I imagine it was closer to four in the hardcover edition, if there was one. I’m a bit low on time this week so that works out well for me this time.

Last chapter had us losing a teammate, Jean Paul continuing to lose his mind, and Bruce continuing to lose his health. And yet he refuses to give up trying to find the truth of whether or not Shondra is a willing participant in his brother’s schemes. This brings up another point I’ve come to disagree with others on, the idea that Bruce is obsessed with crime. Driven, yes. However, as I’ve gone over before the idea that this is obsession isn’t accurate. He wants to keep others from becoming like him. He uses Batman as a positive outlet while the whole “bat” theming is just a psychological edge on the bad guys. It’s the villains who let their obsessions get the better of them, and that’s the case with Jean Paul Valley more than Bruce Wayne. Then again, Bruce is trying to find a positive outlet for his trauma to better the lives of others while Jean Paul is the victim of brainwashing by a society of extremists. He was trained to be obsessed with no positive outlet. This is why he will fail at being Batman, but right now we still have a missing doctor with healing powers to find before she kills the world leaders.

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“Yesterday’s” Comic> Michaelangelo, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle

“When I get home this driver is getting such a bad Uber review.”

Michaelangelo, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle

Mirage Publishing (1985)

“The Christmas Aliens”

WRITERS/ARTISTS: Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird

LETTERER: Steve Lavigne

Note that the old free online version does not include Michael Dooney’s back-up story “One Unconventional Robot”, featuring the unrelated character of Gizmo Sprocket. So I can’t review it.

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BW’s Daily Video> Corridor Crew Weighs In On The Hollywood AI Debate

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BW Programming Update: No Jake & Leon This Week

Between the foot doctor, being kept up late with congestion (I thought allergy season was over), and a family event this weekend I didn’t get to even start a Jake & Leon comic this week. I didn’t get to do anything for The Clutter Reports either. It’s all very annoying and more proof I really need a good life schedule to get projects in if I want any of it to become income. Between comics, decluttering, and writing my commentaries and reviews it would be nice to stop being a burden on people. No, crowdfunding isn’t an option when you don’t have time for the projects themselves, never mind exclusives.

While I try to sort that nonsense out this week sees the conclusion of the Many, MANY Intros Of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles until they put out a new show, and the continuing Chapter By Chapter review of Batman: Knightfall‘s novelization. I don’t have any planned interruptions this week, though I do need to get the car through emissions so if I can squeeze that in I’d like to before I forget. Have a great week, everyone, and I’ll try to get something out each day.

Saturday Night Showcase> Ultraman Max

I did an Ultraman last week but I’m a bit behind so I’m doing another one this week. Besides, Ultraman Max was the one I was going to show last week but decided to keep things in some chronological order. Ultraman Neos was the 17th entry and this is the 18th. Also, we’re back to TV. A dubbed version apparently showed up on TOKU here in the US but that’s not the version Shout Factory TV is giving us. However, me being me and wanting to let readers choose the experience I did find a posting of the English dub if that’s your preference.

Like the Australian co-production Ultraman: Towards The Future, this show takes on a bit of an environmental theme, though I don’t know which dimension this takes place in or which other Ultramen are from it. It’s hard to tell. All the Japan anti-monster forces wear similar outfits and have flying that may be a bit more cool than practical. This time it’s DASH, the Defense Action Squad Heroes, yet another group fighting for an acronym. This would be the first android member and the first time an American actor would have more than a guest appearance. Sean Nichols, who plays Sean White, has gone on to become a sort of ambassador for Tsuburaya Production’s campaign into Western territories, hosting shows for Ultraman Connection and the official YouTube channel meant to introduce Ultraman beyond Japan to a wider audience and the already big fandom outside of Japan. He is not our Ultraman though. See if you can guess who he is before Max bonds with him. Enjoy.

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“Yesterday’s” Comic> The Blue Beetle #23

“Why do they even bother naming it after me anymore?”

The Blue Beetle #23

Holyoke Publishing (July, 1943)

ONE STORY! There is only one Blue Beetle story in this issue!

This continues my theory that they were trying to push him out of his own comic. Maybe it was one of those weird publishing rules they were trying to skirt around, like how Whiz Comics started with issue #2 instead of issue #1 or something. I have nothing against anthology comics, but it’s not very fun for me to read when I’m only interested in one or two stories in a book with six of them. That’s why I stopped reviewing Wonder Comics and Mystery Men…but those were supposed to be anthologies. Blue Beetle should be a bunch of stories about Dan Garret with a few back-ups because it was the Golden Age.

I have all the respect for Golden Age heroes and stories, but the way they were published back then I am not a fan of. I shouldn’t feel silly for wanting the title character to be the actual star of his or her book. Seven more issues after this one until Fox gets it back and I’m curious if they’ll actually get that right (despite still doing multiple non-Blue Beetle stories during their original run) when they do. Ah well, read along with me.

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