Born Again in the DCU

Easter season seems like a good a time as any for a dozen resurrections. In issue #8 of BLACKEST NIGHT, the DC Universe welcomes back to life 12 characters who previously were cosmic zombies.

From left to right we have: former Justice League leader Max Lord (died at the hands of Wonder Woman during INFINITE CRISIS), Professor Zoom (killed by The Flash in FLASH Vol. 1 #324), Hawk/Hank Hall (became Monarch/Extant, later was killed by Atom Smasher in JSA), Jade (killed during the RANN/THANAGAR WAR), Captain Boomerang (died during IDENTITY CRISIS), Firestorm/Ronnie Raymond (also died during IDENTITY CRISIS), Martian Manhunter (murdered by The Human Flame in FINAL CRISIS), Arthur Curry/Aquaman (died several times, most recently in AQUAMAN: SWORD OF ATLANTIS), re-incarnation addicts Hawkman & Hawkgirl (died again in BLACKEST NIGHT #1), Boston Brand/Deadman (originally died during his first appearance in STRANGE ADVENTURES #205, October 1967), and young Osiris (died during the 52 megaseries). It will be interesting to see how these characters' revivals play out in the upcoming BRIGHTEST DAY series and throughout the DC Universe. I, for one, look forward to Osiris to be reunited with his sister Isis and the rest of the much-maligned Marvel Family.

Worst 'Coming Attraction" Ever

I just came home from seeing the semi-enjoyable ZOMBIELAND. I may have enjoyed the film a bit more if it wasn't preceded by a trailer for a forthcoming film epic called 2012.
2012 is a modern take on the "disaster movie" concept of the 1970s. It's directed by Roland Emmerich (also behind the war-monger classic INDEPENDENCE DAY and the laughable GODZILLA remake), so it has super-realistic special effects. The film "explores" the concept of a global "doomsday event" coinciding with the end of the Mayan calendar's current cycle on December 21, 2012. This ridiculously over-the-top and very disturbing trailer is filled with earthquakes, fires, plane crashes, buildings collapsing, tidal waves, floods, explosions and every other type of horrifying image you'd ever NOT want to see happen in real life - so why the hell would anyone want to fork over $12 to watch this crap on the big screen? Isn't real life hard enough, that we have to be force fed "entertainment" like this? Sometimes I just hate Hollywood.

Anyway, I just had to get that off my chest. The film opens on November 13, 2009 worldwide and will probably be a huge box office hit. I'll be home that night watching Season 5 of MARY TYLER MOORE, thank you.