MailboX
I’ve got mail? Xcellent. I appreciate the feedback. If you want to join the conversation email me: raypalmx@gmail.com . Snail mail: BoXholder, PO Box 2, Plattsburgh, NY 12901-0002.
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Regarding two images I used in RX XR # 112 Rick Hilberg wrote:
That was a great old B-grade movie that I still have in my film collection.
RX: So you recognized that turkey from the turkey The Giant Claw. I read the producer told the actors the special effects would be top notch. I can imagine the cast’s embarrassment when they sat in a movie theater and the terrifying monster flashed on the screen. They watched themselves reacting in consternation to a crude string puppet.
And from Dave Haren regarding my reaction in XR #112 to the new Supergirl TV series:
Hi Ray,
I didn't see a request for letters of comment but here's one anyway.
The Superman material was always pretty strange to me since there wasn't much in the way of limitation. I liked him better as Wylies Gladiator.
My own preference is for anime, they can create the sensa wunda in more ways than one.
Keep 'em coming.
RX: ThanX for your LOC. I appreciate the feedback.
I like the original Superman, the one seen in those old Max Fleischer cartoons from the 1940's. He had to struggle. For example in one episode he's dragging a train up a mountain with a chain, his feet digging in, muscles straining.
They added powers to him like heat vision while upping his strength to a boring level. Then they had to bring in various colors of kryptonite to make him interesting. But after a while that trick became dull.
If you're looking for a great satire on Supes' omnipotence check out
God-Man by Tom the Dancing Bug:
http://www.fecundity.com/pmagnus/godman.html
And here’s a LOC from Lloyd Penney about RX XR # 111 and # 112. (Talk about a Penney for his thoughts… Sorry.) He discovered my worX at eFanzines -- http://efanzines.com .
Dear Ray:
Thank you for a new title for me, X-Rayer. I have issues 111 and 112 here, and I will carry on with my usual tradition of getting a loc out as soon as I can. In this case, there’s been a bit of a wait.
111…I am not familiar with Nick Pope, but there is a Canadian UFOologist, Chris Rutkowski, who has his roots in SF fandom. He kinda treads the outside lines of both fields, with experience in one field slightly ruining his credentials in the other. Why the visual effects that obscure the person being interviewed? Many years ago, I was on a local SF programme called Prisoners of Gravity, and they did much the same thing to the edges of the screen. Oooo, look at this, it’s weird!, and we’re cutting edge, etc. It only took them one season to ditch the effects, and stop putting weird colours in the host’s hair, too.
The world has indeed ended. Yes, we didn’t get the memo, but worse than that, we really didn’t notice. Maybe it will come back, but certain parts can stay gone.
112…prophylactic combs? If you don’t use one, there’s a serious risk of…messy hair?
I never really liked westerns, mostly because they reflected the history of the American west, not the Canadian west. Probably the western I liked the most was The Wild, Wild West, because it was western with a touch of SF, or what we might call today steampunk. Great fun, and interesting contraptions.
Done for now, and off they go. Planning a locol? Hope so. Take care, and see you with the next one.
Finally this from Terry The Censor on how I spent my Thanksgiving day (XR #112):
I am a single man too. On holidays when I don't return to my home town, I like to luxuriate in a coffee shop with a flavoured drip and a pricey treat. I settle in with a hefty non-fiction book or a small pile of UFO literature. (I like being alone in public.) Boosted with caffeine, I enjoy a long walk in the cool air to a rambling street car ride home. After a simple meal, I settle down for a good long movie or a short bad one, accompanied by a bottle of affordable red wine and a nice cheese plate.
(It seems to be working. All these years, I've had no desire to get a pet.)
RX: I’m also single. I would like to have a pet: a Penthouse Pet.
Until next time monitor the heavens.
Comments
I never read DC when I was a kid. It was too silly at the time, with Superman having a dog that wore a cape, and such. Marvel had Jim Starlin writing space epics featuring Thanos blowing up solar systems, DC had the Superfriends with Wendy and Marvin. But recently, looking for comics for my godson, I bought reprints of the very first issues of Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, etc. I was charmed by how stripped-down and direct were the heroes. A wise-cracking Superman who couldn't even fly! Batman without Robin or emotional baggage! Wonder Woman effortlessly cracking heads and jokes in a man's, man's, man's world! It was pure entertainment.
I have to wonder if psychodrama was added in later decades in an attempt to balance the godlike power levels of the characters. (Even Wonder Woman can fly now, which seems unnecessary. She has an invisible plane!)
My movie fantasy is to reboot the relatively human Superman of the 1930s, tackling real criminals and real social issues, not corny supervillians. There was an issue back then where Superman knocked down a slum tenement because it was unsafe for the residents. This also raised the question of whether or not Superman could be, or should be, a law unto himself.
Superman 1939: A rock 'em, sock 'em action movie with real-world themes, and no CGI!
> there is a Canadian UFOologist, Chris Rutkowski
Canada's sensible ufologist. His book on abductions is highly recommended.
> a local SF programme called Prisoners of Gravity
So much Canadian content today! (I am Canadian. But who's my favourite comic book character? Captain America! The most decent and honourable character in comics. Without the flag uniform, he could pass for Canadian! Or so I flatter myself.)
Actually, I'm kinda used to coming over here and interjecting my two cents. But it's kinda fun to see other people reacting to the same material I am.