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REVELATIONS 2012-05 (May)
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It's that time again: Blather.
Blather = http://www.s8.org/gargoyles/askgreg/search.php?rid=469
Blather
So in a tryce came the documentary depicting many a Chinese doll and also the three wise men (who may or may not have been kings) that needed sixty-two dollars between them to redeem the coupon, which offered up solace and not a little irony to anyone who hadn't yet seen the crew chewing on leaves that weren't tobacco, but might have been sage and still left horrible stains in the dirt floor of the lean-to where I left my ski poles after the overnight with the cranes that were kept on the lake domestically for the purpose of tourism but who could also speak Latin on occasion when prompted by offers of cheese or jerky -- though not just any jerky, it had to be salmon jerky -- which isn't always easy to come by when you've agreed to leave before closing on summer days in the springtime of your life, which has been known to last longer in people who aren't concerned about under-inebriation or over-intoxication or both: it's the balance which is everything when nothing else will do and no one else will participate in the extravaganza that's been created by the giant invisible flying monkey brain that is modern life in the Twenty-First Century, counting since the (approximate) birth of Christ -- as long as the lack of the number zero doesn't disturb your math sensibilities as, frankly, it does mine, though I like to think I've made peace with that and with the Skrull too, since I haven't picked up an issue of that book in about nine years, which wasn't an intentional or explicit act of cold turkey so much as a sliding away followed by a none-too-impressive epiphany -- far from the best epiphany I've ever had, say, compared to Tintagel or Lego, not to mention the birth of certain children, which couldn't get more personal than the zany antics of the semi-erotic flea circus, which used to travel the stars waiting for an invitation to land at your door, since you are the personal target of the extra-lunar probe that counted all the seahorses that Aquaman used to make the giant seahorse that he could actually ride, though no faster than he could swim himself on his own power -- and no, we're not talking Super Friends here, but something older, more primal, something that was born back when the Ptero-whatever streaked across the sky leaving behind contrails made not of smoke but of pure and unadulterated grace, a commodity in which we are sorely shy as a planet, and yet which we find in the most unlikley of places, including but not limited to contracts which dictate how we will interact with each other but do it in such a way that no normal human being could possibly wrap their heads around the language and internalize the meaning, which we declare to be progress or civilization and which is not meant as a criticism so much as a detachment of troopers marching on a hill that you wouldn't pay five ducats -- FIVE! -- to buy yourself, or so I told myself and Hamlet night after night, but now Hamlet is a Thief on FX and I haven't seen him face to face in over twenty years, which sometimes seems quite normal but sometimes blows me away, not that I want to move backwards at all, though I'm not sure that I'm truly moving forward and I'm convinced I'm not moving sideways, though the metaphor of the sidewinder is appealing, not in the cliché sense of something sinister and left-handed, though I do throw with my left hand, I can bowl just as badly with either hand, and even though I'm 42, I quite prefer to have bumpers instead of gutters, where the rain gets backed up and sometimes flows over the lip and creates leaks in the roof and drips, drips, drips down into the shiny metal bowl that's usually used for something much more pleasant like mixing cookie dough to create chewy wonderful ... well.. cookies (I mean "duh") that taste a little bit like home even when you are home and it is raining, or maybe ESPECIALLY when you are home and it is raining and the water overflows and the ocean fills and the giant seahorse peaks out and winks at the cranes, which is exactly what the documentary crew was hoping to capture when they first took out their cameras and shot the whole thing from three different angles across six different days and still never saw the giant invisible flying monkey brain, because it was, to put it mildly, invisible.
YOUNG JUSTICE: INVASION: EPISODE 205: "Beneath" Premieres!
YOUNG JUSTICE: INVASION: EPISODE 205: "Beneath" Premieres!
This Saturday morning, May 26th (my wedding anniversary, incidentally) is the premiere of another brand new Young Justice: Invasion episode, our fifth of the second season, "Beneath"!
New characters! Old characters speaking for the first time! Giant invisible flying monkey brains (watch for 'em)! And much more good stuff, all on Cartoon Network. Repeats on Sunday morning, May 27th. Check local listings and cable guides for times!
Harmony writes...
Greg, in misplaced, what would happen to other planes in the sky across the world at the time that were carrying children?
An Ask Greg Helper responds...
Greg Weisman says:
"It depends on Klarion."
[Response recorded on April 24, 2012.]
basiritz writes...
I just got into young justice last week and I love it. I was just wondering what kinda power does the league have? I mean silver age superman could juggle planets and green lantern could do about anything, while the justice League dcau cartoon superman could have trouble with Grundy. About where on the scale of power would they be?
An Ask Greg Helper responds...
Greg Weisman says:
"I'm not sure if you've noticed, but we've resisted the temptation with ALL our characters to put them at the upper end of the scale of how some creators have depicted their powers. It's more interesting to us - even for the adult heroes - if they aren't quite so invincible."
[Response recorded on November 12, 2012.]
IZ writes...
Greg,
There seems to be quite a common thing going around the internet(mostly wihin Fanfiction). This theory is that Wally is being beaten by his father. Is this true, or just a made up story?
An Ask Greg Helper responds...
Unknown asks:
"2. Are Wally's parents abusive in this universe?"
Greg Weisman says:
"No."
[Response recorded November 29, 2011.]
Anonymous writes...
From "Image" we know that Robin and Kid Flash are both not blood type Oâ€". What blood types are they, respectively? Artemis, too.
An Ask Greg Helper responds...
Greg Weisman says:
"I haven't tracked this with the kind of specificity you're asking for."
[Response recorded on April 13, 2012.]
Anonymous writes...
Are gargoyles classified as mammals?
An Ask Greg Helper responds...
Greg Weisman says:
"Gargoyles pre-date mammals in my mind. Whether they evolved from dinosaurs or beside dinosaurs is another question."
[Response recorded March 7, 2001.]
Anonymous writes...
In Young Justice, how do you spell the name of the crystal used by Klarion and co. in misplaced?
An Ask Greg Helper responds...
Greg Weisman says:
"Ambre Jeune Perdu."
[Response recorded on May 3, 2012.]
Rebecca writes...
1. Where does Red Arrow live now, specifically, (an apartment, rented/bought house, bungalow, lives purely on justice alone, etc) now that he (probably?) isn't living with Green Arrow anymore?
2. You mentioned before that Zatanna went to a private catholic school in New York. Now that she doesn't have her father (to pay tuition!), and she lives at Mt. Justice in Happy Harbor, where would she be going to school, if at all?
An Ask Greg Helper responds...
AQUALAD: "After Roy went solo, he installed equipment caches in several major cities."
[From "Young Justice" episode 126, " Auld Acquaintance." Originally aired April 21, 2012.]
Greg Weisman says:
"Zatanna finishes the semester in Manhattan and then transfers for the NEW semester to Happy Harbor High in JANUARY."
[Response recorded on May 22, 2012.]
Mina writes...
i wanna ask you a question ?
do you draw young justice characters ?
or you just wrote how would everyone look ?
i want to create a tv show :) you are my mentor
An Ask Greg Helper responds...
Greg Weisman says:
"It's been a team effort from day one. Many of the series' best ideas came/come from Brandon. And this is aside from the fact, that of course, Brandon can write - BUT I CANNOT DRAW, which arguably makes him MORE important to the production than I. I am exceedingly proud of this series and my own work on it - though certain very vocal fans seem to think I shouldn't be - but that doesn't change the fact that Brandon and I are a team."
[Response recorded on July 12, 2011. Emphasis added by moderator.]
Abdel writes...
Will we ever see the origins of the Justice League or it's first mission explored in the future?
An Ask Greg Helper responds...
CATHERINE COBERT: "And finally, we have the four surviving host bodies used by a race of alien energy beings, known as the Appelaxians, who attempted to conquer the Earth. Of course, the attack also brought together Earth's mightiest heroes to form the Justice League."
[From "Young Justice" episode 203, "Alienated." Originally aired May 12, 2012.]
Carli writes...
I am a HUGE fan of YJ for the record. I've seen all of them on the day they premiere and I watch them again the next day to catch anything I missed. I have to know who the snitch is! It CAN'T be Artemis! I think it's Connor, but he doesn't know it. Becuase of the way his dad (Lex) was able to controll him! Could you atleast tell me what episode they say who the snitch is? It can't be Artemis, it CAN'T! :D
An Ask Greg Helper responds...
Greg Weisman says:
"So, I know I'm biased, but this Saturday's penultimate episode of YOUNG JUSTICE's first season really is a MUST SEE for the series: 'Usual Suspects' brings all sorts of plotlines to a head, with large measures of action, humor and even romance. If you like the show at all, you'll want to see this one. (And if you haven't seen it in English, you'll want to watch it in its native tongue.) As per usual, it's airing as part of DC NATION on Cartoon Network on Saturday with a rerun Sunday. Check local listings."
[Response recorded April 13, 2012.]
Anonymous writes...
If you had the full green-light to create the Gargoyles spin-offs, what medium would fit your preference for the conveying your stories? Visual or written word?
An Ask Greg Helper responds...
Greg Weisman says:
"Honestly, this question is TOO hypothetical. I NEVER have that much freedom to make those kind of decisions. I'd do what I could SELL. Not sell what I felt like doing."
[Response recorded April 9, 2007.]
Cam writes...
Why is Monkey (Garfield's pet) already green?
Greg responds...
Because he's a Green Monkey, also known as a Callithrix Monkey.
CORRECTION:
CORRECTION:
I was asked the following question:
"Anonymous writes...
1. After "Misplaced" does Zatanna still zeta-beam to go to school in Manhattan, or did she transfer schools to Happy Harbor?"
And I responded...
"1. She finishes the semester in Manhattan but decides to transfer to Happy Harbor High School in December."
But of course I meant to write "JANUARY." Not December. Zatanna finishes the semester in Manhattan and then transfers for the NEW semester to Happy Harbor High in JANUARY.
Sorry, 'bout that.
PrincessLuna writes...
Hey Greg first I want to give praise to the work you are doing. I am simply a big fan of your work. It has complex plots, amaxingly competent and interesting villains. Not to mention very dee characters and dilemas I love your work and needless to say I am hooked.
I would like to ask you something about white martians and miss martian in particular.
Why do they or more specifically why does miss martian has our beauty standandards?
For instance probably a male pig would consider beautiful a female pig while we would consider both not to be atractive and even repulsive as we aren't of that species.
But Miss martian instead of having "white martians beauty standards" she gets atracted to a kryptonian that is considrerd atractive by human standards (judging my Artemis atraction to him) and takes the form of a caucasian beautiful woman (by our standards). If she had "white martians beauty standards" she wouldn't hate herself so much and she would consider herself as normal and the team's humans as the ugly ones
Thanks you for yout time and keep the awesome plots coming!
Greg responds...
Well, you need to understand that by Martian standards, she was never considered attractive at all, because of her white skin. Now, all Martians are shape-shifters, but all are also telepathic, so skin color can't be truly hidden, and the cultural bias on Mars against White Martians is so strong, that as a young girl, she was constantly reminded of her lack of desirability - on many different levels. You speak of "white martians beauty standards" - but culturally, there is no such thing. I'm not saying that's right; I'm just saying that's the current state of affairs on Mars-16.
Then she saw American Television and was exposed to a (skewed) view of American Culture - both at its idealistic best and at its populist worst. So although being a pretty Martian was something she felt - rightly or wrongly - that she couldn't aspire to, being an attractive, smart, funny and NECESSARY human girl was something she COULD aspire to. She had a role model in her famous Uncle J'onn, whom she had never met, but to whom she was blood-related. And she had a template in Megan Wheeler, the lead character of "Hello, Megan!" So M'gann learned - again for better and worse - her view of our standards of beauty from our television programs.
Now, you say she's self-hating, and there's some truth to that - up to a point. But once she decides WHO SHE IS INSIDE, that stops. It's only when others force her to become that person that she never felt comfortable as, that she retreats to fear, loathing and self-hatred. But she truly LIKES herself as Megan Morse and as green-skinned M'gann M'orzz AND as the hero Miss Martian.
Richard Jackson writes...
Which would you rather watch?
The entire series run of "The Pack" or "Hello Megan?"
Greg responds...
Oh, God. That's tough. Really tough.
LOL. I'm stumped.
Greg Bishansky writes...
So, I've got to ask.
Does "Hello Megan" have a small but dedicated fanbase that petitions for the series to be released on DVD, that has held at least ten conventions celebrating it with Greg Vietti and Branden Weisman as guests... and which actor from the show drops his pants at conventions?
;)
Greg responds...
"Hello, Megan!" does have a small but dedicated fanbase that petitions for the series to be released on DVD. But no conventions.
Curiously, the president of the "Hello, Megan!" fan club is Edmund Tsabard.
Anonymous writes...
1. After "Misplaced" does Zatanna still zeta-beam to go to school in Manhattan, or did she transfer schools to Happy Harbor?
2. Who becomes Zatanna's legal guardian (since she's still a minor) after "Misplaced"?
3. What responsibilities did Batman take on when he gave Zatara his word that he'd take care of Zatanna?
Greg responds...
1. She finishes the semester in Manhattan but decides to transfer to Happy Harbor High School in December.
2. Batman offered - even offered to reveal his secret identity and have her move in with him and Robin - but Zatanna insisted that Zatara remain her legal guardian and elected to move into the Cave rather than Batman's home. Batman agreed on the condition that she agree to view Batman, John Smith and Dinah Lance as her surrogate parents until Zatara could be recovered.
3. Parental, shared with Tornado and Canary.
beeftony writes...
Not sure if this was intentional on your part or not, but I'd like to thank you for making "Image" a perfect metaphor for what it's like to be Trans. Obviously M'Gann is transspecies rather than transgender or transsexual, but I know a few transpeople and the attitudes are almost exactly the same, in that what she presents herself as is who she really feels she is inside, though obviously it's easier for a shapeshifter to make that a reality.
I like that M'Gann completely rejects Psimon's insinuation that her white martian form is her "true form," and insists that she really is Megan on the inside. I also enjoy how she made it a point to mention that she keeps herself in that form for *her*, because while she desperately craves acceptance from the others, she wants to be in control of her own identity rather than live in a predefined role based on how she looked like when she was born.
Whether you intended it or not, it sends a very powerful message that people can be free to present themselves as who they are inside instead of letting society dictate their "true form." It's one I certainly didn't expect to see on a show on Cartoon Network, and it's one of the many reasons I love this show.
Greg responds...
I'm not sure if we had any specific transgender metaphor in mind. (In fact, I honestly wish I could say definitively that we did. It was probably there in the background radiation of my brain, but I'm not sure how conscious I was of it.) But you definitely hit on what we were trying to get across: this is her, who she is inside.
Transforming into "Megan Morse" may have started off for her (back on Mars) as a fantasy or an escape. And I think when she first got to Earth, "Miss Martian" was her attempt at "trying to pass" to use a metaphor for a whole different idea. But the green-skinned, red haired M'gann M'orzz is now how she sees herself: It's her self-image. Which makes it honest and real - even if it doesn't encompass her whole history or visually reveal every aspect of the truth.
Greg Bishansky writes...
Image
The fourth episode in a row to completely knock it out of the park. I am speechless. I suppose I shouldn't be, as I never disliked the show, I just didn't love it. But the creative team behind it has long ago earned my trust, and that trust has been paying off. This episode was great.
Let me be honest, up until now, I didn't care for Miss Martian, or that catch phrase. I wasn't complaining about it like other people were, because I knew that there is no way this team would put something as annoying as M'Gann crying "hello, Megan!" into the show without a damn good reason. While I saw the twist coming, I wasn't quite prepared for just how dark and disturbing the revelation would really be. In one fell swoop, she's become one of the darker characters on the team... a role that, for the most part, was held by Artemis. They weren't kidding when they said the theme of the season was "secrets and lies" and M'Gann is a pathological liar. Frying the brains of her friends, and maybe mindwiping Psimon just to keep her secret.
I figured she modeled herself after a sitcom star, but I was unaware of just how much. She even named Connor after "Megan's" love interest in the sitcom. Cute theme song for that sitcom, by the way. Very 1980's. But Garfield was wrong, it can't be that rare a series, since it was on TV in Artemis' apartment several episodes back. Marie Logan was justified in being put off by her at first. Although it was touching when Marie finally came around after M'Gann saved her son's life.
And here's a quick note, Connor and M'Gann are kinky teens. I don't know how far they've actually gone together, but I tend to think they've done more than kiss by now. Who else has she transformed into when they've gotten busy? Okay, enough of my verbal voyeurism... but that was a pretty big entendre.
I enjoyed the return of Psimon, especially when he got into M'Gann's head and tore down all her defenses laying all of her secrets out in front of her. Her true form is... hideous. Monstrous even. I feel bad saying so about what we've been told in the past is an oppressed minority... but I am curious as to exactly how much Martian Manhunter knows about her. And what else has she lied about? Her entire life is, at this point, a lie... and now she is beginning to feel the consequences of those lies, and it's only going to get worse for her. But, suddenly, I like this character. I didn't like her before now, but... talk about a one-eighty.
The conflict between Bialya and Qurac was nice, and pretty topical considering current events in the Middle East. We've gone through Arab Spring and the toppling of tyrannical regimes. I know Bialya is an acronym for Libya, and sadly they haven't had a chance to put down their own dictator, but as a political junkie, this made it even more fun to watch.
I can't end this review without mentioning Queen Bee, and Marina Sirtis. I've been waiting to see, and hear, more of her and I was not disappointed. The way the episode ended, I know we'll be seeing and hearing even more from her and I cannot get enough of Marina's voice. But I've been a big fan of Marina Sirtis for longer than either of us would care to admit, which is funny considering I never much cared for the character of Deanna Troi. Marina may have been put on the map by playing the nicest character in the universe, but villainous roles like Demona and now, Queen Bee, are where she shines. I definitely cracked a smile at that line about how Queen Bee can enthrall "most men and some women" although, I tend to think that's a Marina Sirtis ability more than anything... fifty-six years old, and still gorgeous.
Loved it, can't wait to see what comes next.
Greg responds...
Thanks.
Anonymous writes...
Do Green and Red Martians 'true/natural' form look like Miss Martians?
Greg responds...
Pretty much. I don't want to say all Martians look alike, but frankly to a human they probably would. Even distinguishing males from females would be tough to the untrained human eye. (Then again to the untrained Martian eye, I'm sure all humans tend to look alike too.) If you saw J'onn's true form, the obvious main differences between him and M'gann are that J'onn's green and bigger.
The only real difference between Green, White and Red Martians is skin color - which is a pretty superficial difference, of course, genetically, but a significant difference historically and culturally on Mars.
Of course, on Mars-16, the White Martians aren't a separate species - and they're only a different "race" if you are using the word "race" the way we Earthlings do to distinguish Caucasians from Africans from Asians. And certainly, the White Martians are not monolithically evil.
Oh, and for the record: M'gann IS J'onn's niece. She didn't lie about that. M'gann's mom (i.e. J'onn's sister) is green. Her dad is white. Most of M'gann's siblings are also green, though she has one white brother.
Wow, why did I suddenly give all that away?
Jack-Pumpkinhead writes...
Hi Greg, so I watched Image today, man that was amazing. First off, thank you for the cameo by Garfield. I'd ask if the transfusion could have 'unexpected side effects', but I know you won't answer. As for the use of Queen Bee and Psimon, very nicely done. I thought Robin did great for his first time as team leader. And I like the design for Megan's true form (no offense, but not much of a reveal there). Honestly, my favorite part of the whole thing was the opening to "Hello Megan!" I know it's purposely corny but I enjoyed all the name drops and especially Greg Vietti and Brandon Weisman, very cute.
Please keep up the good work and I can't wait for next week!
Greg responds...
Thanks. We were all very proud of that opening title.
Eagle-Owl writes...
YJ question:
"Created by Greg Vietti and Brandon Weisman" Clever, Greg. You always outdo yourself.
Here's the question: In the opening credits for the "Hello Megan" show in "Image", are some of the names references to other staff members of YJ? Or are they existing characters in the DC Universe? If they're YJ staff members, who are they?
Greg responds...
They're all pre-existing DC characters.
Cameron writes...
What nationality are Gar and Marie? Are they from Qurac?
Greg responds...
No; they're Americans.
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