tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6620698560611640068.post4849210193570964983..comments2024-03-21T06:36:04.196-05:00Comments on The Idol-Head of Diabolu, a Martian Manhunter blog: I Want To Burn Apex City To The GroundDiabolu Frankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04685199809207954223noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6620698560611640068.post-21745213273703100842011-04-05T15:47:30.781-05:002011-04-05T15:47:30.781-05:00King, I'm cool with that, and from the beginni...King, I'm cool with that, and from the beginning suggested that compromise. What's ticked me off in the past is Scipio's insistence on completely ignoring the canonical Middletown while promoting a name of his own creation. I think "Apex City" is as fine a nickname as "The Big Apple" and it could even be the "heart" of town the way Manhattan is for Manhattan. Borough, suburb, uptown, annexed city... whatever. Add, adjust, redefine, but don't disregard.Diabolu Frankhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04685199809207954223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6620698560611640068.post-20954881007868178252011-04-05T03:40:01.960-05:002011-04-05T03:40:01.960-05:00In the middle of Cleveland there is an area known ...In the middle of Cleveland there is an area known as "Ohio City", which was once a separate city, but to this day retains its own distinctive character. I would imagine most major cities have something comparable. It would be hypothetically possible to reconcile any Middleton / Apex City discrepancies along those lines.<br /><br />I have no dog in this fight, neither Jupiter nor Zook.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6620698560611640068.post-77479809473873247562010-05-22T16:55:12.018-05:002010-05-22T16:55:12.018-05:00Scipio, not only do I disagree with your character...Scipio, not only do I disagree with your characterization of my comments, but I find it convenient you can make such assertions without the posts to back up your claims. <br /><br />I recall having a fairly tepid debate with another commentator, which in no way raised my ire. Alternately, your unnecessary and heavy handed involvement bugged me enough that it still colors my perception of you today. For my opinion to be so devalued as to be expunged entirely without a word is among the most bothersome acts of personal offense I've reckoned with on the internet. I felt less than enthused about ever offering a word in your presence again, and I never felt comfortable hanging out at "your place" again.<br /> <br />Regardless, I found your blog posts insightful and amusing, which is why I still offer links and responses to a defunct forum. I would like a look at that Human Squirrel should the Absorbascon ever reopen its doors. We may have different sensibilities, but I recognize quality writing when I see it.Diabolu Frankhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04685199809207954223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6620698560611640068.post-65329282799701119832010-05-22T07:41:11.770-05:002010-05-22T07:41:11.770-05:00I deleted your posts, Frank, because they were ove...I deleted your posts, Frank, because they were overly serious, angry diatribes over something that was supposed to be fun.<br /><br />I usually deleted that sort of thing because I didn't tolerate flame wars on my blog...which are <b>particularly</b> inappropriate over the Martian Manhunter.<br /><br />As for "canon"-- well, if it's one thing I've learned from knowing lots of comic readers, it's that one fan's canon is another fan's fodder.<br /><br />P.S. FINALLY having Heroclix customs made of the Human Flame and the Human Squirrel; so much fun!Scipiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12112155718721908876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6620698560611640068.post-34920395770234509562010-04-08T20:24:36.930-05:002010-04-08T20:24:36.930-05:00Perhaps Apex City is the unfortunate location wher...Perhaps Apex City is the unfortunate location where a cabal of White Martians have taken up hiding, and ends up burned to the ground (oh the irony!) during a cataclysmic battle with the Manhunter?<br /><br />I never cared for Apex City either; Florida is too close to New Venice, for one thing, and a weird series like Manhunter from Mars should be set somewhere in either New England or the Mid-Atlantic.Lukehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07352646370918575626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6620698560611640068.post-8199221484442126462010-04-05T23:58:30.769-05:002010-04-05T23:58:30.769-05:00@Tom; HAH! Ned Beatty is a god among men.
Frank, ...@Tom; HAH! Ned Beatty is a god among men.<br /><br />Frank, this; "...shouldn't a concerted effort be made to incorporate as much of every character's history as possible? It isn't willful ignorance to attempt to reconcile discrepancies in some fashion, it's pragmatism." is right on the money. One of my favorite things about Morrison and Johns is their use of stuff like Batman of Planet X and Nekron and Yellow rings. New characters are great, and vital, but all of the greatest crossovers use established characters in interesting ways. Similarly, the best revamps/relaunches embrace the past and make connections to enrich this fictional world i.e. R.E.B.E.L.S and Secret Six, in my humble opinion two of the better new series out there.<br /><br />In this ever aging comic book fandom, continuity sells. But more than that, continuity is rewarding in the "smaller" (and faster) world of the internet and ADD, consistency allows for more comfort and less drag....I'm not sure I made my point, but that's about all I got.mathematicscorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15439579069513071094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6620698560611640068.post-77443732624304301222010-04-05T23:15:18.902-05:002010-04-05T23:15:18.902-05:00This is an interesting post, Frank. While I'm...This is an interesting post, Frank. While I'm a big fan of Scipio's antics, it's enlightening to hear about your comments being deleted. I never could figure out if he really was a Martian Manhunter fan or not...but judging by the whole "Ivory Soap" thing (http://absorbascon.blogspot.com/2008/09/ivory-soap.html), I had a feeling he would take an opposing viewpoint to get people to defend a character. Maybe. Or maybe he just liked to poke fun at his favorites.<br /><br />The thing that bugged me about Middletown being located in CO is that they mention a beach a few times in Showcase, and there's that whole store about the shark. (In my own mind I figured it was on the West Coast because "movie sets" gets mentioned an awful lot.)<br /><br />"That editor's response also placed Middletown in one of the mid-Atlantic states." Yes! This makes me very happy because it all make sense now!<br /><br />"However, neither one of us have ever been able to verify this." Three guesses as to what my research project of the week is going to be.LissBirdshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17059648604602469375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6620698560611640068.post-15004029773227316542010-04-05T22:53:03.915-05:002010-04-05T22:53:03.915-05:00I understand your argument, and if a creator can f...I understand your argument, and if a creator can find a way to incorporate all of that history and make it work, awesome! But I've seen as many instances where "reconciling discrepancies" feel shoehorned in. In that case, I'd rather see elements of history just ignored if they're contradictory. That seems equally pragmatic.<br /><br />But that's me. I believe in "selective continuity".Count Drunkulahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18130778855882160092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6620698560611640068.post-52931270993428917692010-04-05T22:25:53.345-05:002010-04-05T22:25:53.345-05:00You're right, Ostranderburg is too good for &q...You're right, Ostranderburg is too good for "Apex City". How about Otisburg?Tomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6620698560611640068.post-42418658905881838092010-04-05T22:03:45.169-05:002010-04-05T22:03:45.169-05:00Ryan, I disagree, but probably not the way you thi...Ryan, I disagree, but probably not the way you think.<br /><br />Just as "Apex City" can be allowed its continued existence as a nickname for Middletown, shouldn't a concerted effort be made to incorporate as much of every character's history as possible? It isn't willful ignorance to attempt to reconcile discrepancies in some fashion, it's pragmatism. <br /><br />For instance, I don't like the "king of Atlantis" angle Aquaman was saddled with in the '60s. My "subjective resolution" is that this "Orin" business is all part of an elaborate plot perpetrated against Aquaman, when in fact he's still the son of a lighthouse keeper and a mer-- screw it-- and the daughter of the Golden Age Aquaman. If I'm going to go there, I might as well go all the way, and remove as much second hand Sub-Mariner history as possible.<br /><br />I think Wonder Woman is a founder again, Post-Infinite Crisis. In my mind though, Black Canary was still part of a B-team of newbies, while WW joined Batman and Superman on the "big missions." Being the youngest, Dinah wasn't promoted to full membership until after Diana left.Diabolu Frankhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04685199809207954223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6620698560611640068.post-45821013160821700682010-04-05T21:44:47.017-05:002010-04-05T21:44:47.017-05:00Sphinx, I figured linking to this was too far off ...Sphinx, I figured linking to this was too far off topic, but in <a href="http://idol-head.blogspot.com/2008/08/apex-city-is-burning.html" rel="nofollow">Do You Know The Way To Middletown?</a>, I came to the conclusion Middletown was in New England, or at least on the Northeastern Seaboard. Prof. Arnold Hugo looks to have done time in Jersey, and towns referred to in the Manhunter strip consistently parallel those of the same or similar names in the region.<br /><br />The way Scott Kolins drew Keystone, I can see Philly in there.<br /><br />Tom, that's actually a pretty boss name. "Ostranderburg." I could see that being used as a tribute in a book he wrote well.Diabolu Frankhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04685199809207954223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6620698560611640068.post-44977889942988352082010-04-05T21:35:06.458-05:002010-04-05T21:35:06.458-05:00I think Middleton, the "Apex City", work...I think Middleton, the "Apex City", works sounds pretty cool.<br /><br />On the other hand, there's a lot to be said for willful ignorance. That's how I've managed to convince myself that Arthur Curry only re-named himself "Orin" as part of an identity-breakdown caused by the death of his son and collapse of his marriage.<br /><br />Also that Wonder Woman was always a founding member of the JLA, post-CoIE continuity, be damned! Willful ignorance has its place.Count Drunkulahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18130778855882160092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6620698560611640068.post-14980896703815759892010-04-05T21:23:52.705-05:002010-04-05T21:23:52.705-05:00So another name for Apex City would be Ostranderbu...So another name for Apex City would be Ostranderburg?Tomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6620698560611640068.post-21400966588827966182010-04-05T20:40:55.401-05:002010-04-05T20:40:55.401-05:00Bravo, my friend!
Maybe Apex City is the home of ...Bravo, my friend!<br /><br />Maybe Apex City is the home of that MM doppelgänger from the Squadron Supreme or the MM of Earth-3.<br /><br />I remember reading the reference to Middletown because there's a Middletown here in Connecticut, another in New Jersey and another in New York. Any of these cities in the tri-state area could have been the home of the Martian Manhunter, which gave me extra reason to remember it.<br /><br />It reminds me of my own theories regarding the home cities of both of the Flashes. Jay Garrick came from Keystone City; since Pennsylvania is known as the Keystone State, I always thought Keystone City was a code name for one of the big cities in Pennsylvania. Barry Allen was in Central City and (I believe but am not 100% sure) that a section of Philadelphia was known as Central City. So when the post-Crisis retcons placed Keystone City and Central City as next door to each other, I had in my mind that they were residing in the same area as our Philadelphia. Geoff Johns then placed both cities somewhere farther out west, so that totally invalidated my theories...Sphinx Magoohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06482592989882628235noreply@blogger.com