A Pocket of Peace, By Felix Serrano – Robot Dialog #22

March 3, 2011 Felix Serrano 2 Comments

It’s been quite a crazy two weeks. We’ve lost a true pioneer in comics, my episodes in dealing with teenage angst continue, I feel like the repo man when it comes to my clients and yet through all of this mayhem I have found a little bit of sanctuary. Hidden away on my DVR and in the Itunes store.

I finally made some time to watch all of the episodes of Young Justice so far. I’ve heard a few complaints about how it’s not meeting up to the hype or what the show claimed to be. I went in as a blank slate. And I enjoyed it. It’s fun and dynamic and it’s appropriate for it’s target. I don’t think it’s great for people who are hardcore about the DC Universe because it looks like the stretch some from the original source material, but if you just want to see Super Heroes kicking ass in some great animated action, you’ll enjoy it. The stories a little loose and there isn’t anything special going on, but it looks great and it is entertaining.

Next up was Transformers Prime. I have always been a huge Transformers Generation 1 fan; it comes from my love of robots. When I heard about Hasbro’s HuB network I thought “oh great” a channel full of 20 minute commercials for really shitty toys. However, it being Transformers G1 with Optimus Prime in it I couldn’t resist the DVR button. I got through about 3 episodes, and I’m kinda meh about it. It plays off of the premise of the movie while integrating the first cartoon. 5 Autobots vs a bunch of no named or unrecognizable Decepticons looking for energon weekly with a special guest star autobot now and then who will leave or get off’ed for “oh shit!” value, to remind us that they are still fighting a war. The designs are loosely based on the originals from the 80’s with some added nonsense in some places and simplified faces for optimal animation. The CG is ok, but still has the vacuous feeling of a non existing world that most CG cartoons have these days. In a nut shell, if you don’t give a flying F@#K about Optimus Prime or the autobots, you will hate this.

Lastly, A farewell. By now, most of us have come to terms with the shock of loosing Dwayne McDuffie. The news of his passing was reminiscent of the news when Michael Jackson passed away. Facebook and Twitter provided the voice for his fans and colleagues to say their part about this great individual. By now, we’ve all read and have seen interviews about Dwayne. I’d like to talk about the Last work released. All Star Superman. When I learned of Dwayne’s passing I decided the best way to remember him was to remember him through his work. All Star Superman was awesome. The animation as usual for any WB Animated feature was great, the studio is getting better by the project. Granted this was an adaptation of the comic, it still was damn good and solid. It’s probably one of the best Superman stories written to date, as for the ending in lieu of recent events was haunting heart wrenching and comforting.

Good-bye Dwayne, you always knew how to break it down.

-F