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Saturday, May 24, 2008
Pizza Doodletime - The Phantom
Then we tried to figure out who invented the first superhero and we guessed it was Lee Falk, creator of the Phantom.
I remember reading The phantom in the funny papers in the 60s and knew it had been around forever. I don't think he actually had any superpowers, but he had the more important thing that defines superheroes: he went around in public in his underwear. I don't know how that was ever invented, or whether it evolved out of something else. I would like to think that it just occurred to Falk or somebody as an inspiration. Imagine thinking to yourself: "I've got it! I will create a crime fighter who goes around in his underwear beating people up! And no one will question it!"
Then I tried to remember what he looked like. He had a pretty bland costume I recalled. But Eddie, who's more conscious of silky man-fashions than me reminded me that he had purple striped briefs as an accent over his leotards.
Eddie and I spent some time debating which side of your hand the thumb went on.
The first Superheroes were pretty sedentary. The artists hadn't discovered action poses yet.
It took Jack Kirby to invent the idea of drawing fighters in action poses.
Eddie said he remembered the Phantom couldn't fly, so he rode a horse instead. And the poor criminals only had mere cars and bullets.
Then I took to doodling some more superhero types.
We wondered whatever happened to the Cheerios Kid? I imagine he grew up and still gets his go powers from dried stale starch rings.
What's great about superheroes is that they are as preposterous as talking funny animals but are meant to be taken seriously. As if there were dramatic stories starring the 3 Stooges. Even stranger is that I've met people who take comic book writers seriously and I've witnessed people arguing over whose stories make more dramatic sense.
I wonder if Falk was outraged when Siegel and Shuster came along and gave a man in underwear magical powers, destroying the believability of a crime fighting man in underpants on a horse. Can he have imagined that one day there would be hordes of undergarment crime fighting heroes and the whole world would totally accept the concept as normal?
It must be a great job though to get up every day and think up new adventures for underpants. I'd like to do that in my retirement and see if I can get a horde of fans to take me seriously.
Superheroes are a great American tradition and I kind of wish they would go back to being more mainstream in cheap throwaway comics on newsprint so every little kid could grow up normal, instead of just a few super nerdy kids (and adults!) who have to go out of their way to specialty comic stores for blurry photoshopped angry superheroes with pointy anatomy on expensive slick paper.
Bring back Mort Weisinger!
90 comments:
- Vincent Waller said...
If I had to guess where the long underwear in public came from, I'd say it was probably a leave over from some of the strongman acts in carnivals, Vaudeville, and side shows. Where they wanted to so off their physics, but decency laws forced them to cover their shameful sin encrusted skin.
Nice superhero doodles. All superheros should have packages so big that it interferes with their trying to run.
- Tchadd said...
Absolutely correct, John. The world of superhero comics is a sad, ridiculous place, with a significant lack of energy and most of all, fun. Most are as dour, lifeless and self-serious as the bleakest Scandinavian art film. A genre once populated by Jack Kirby, Will Eisner and Jack Cole is now run by would be novelists and screenwriters trying to get big budget films made of their concepts. Oh well...
kids can just play video games and roast their little brains. Have a good one!
P.S.- I'd love to see a post about Jack Cole, now that I think of it! His best work is nearly as wild as Milt Gross.
- Booo Tooons Ltd. said...
Y'know, The Phantom is still in the newspaper comics. It appeared in my local paper, 'The Philadelphia Inquirer' during the 80's and when I was reading, it was still being drawn by Sy Barry.
Lee Falk, the creator, actually helped Barry come up with the 'standard look' of him, and for some reason, I stopped reading when Barry retired.
The funny thing is, I didn't know that Barry had left at the time. I remember that in 1995 I stopped reading the strip ( I can't recall my reasoning ) and coincedentally, that's around the time the strip changed artists.
I never knew who took over, but I heartell that now the strip is being done by Paul Ryan of Fantastic Four fame, which I would imagine is better than having some young ghost artist imitate the style.
Nothin' beats the real deal!
Thank you John and Eddie, for eating pizza and jogging my memory. Three cheers for underwear justice!
- trevor.
PS: Did ANYone like the movie?
- Raff said...
he had the more important thing that defines superheroes: he went around in public in his underwear.
....man in underwear magical powers...
..crime fighting man in underpants..
Like, what are you, six?
I'm with Vincent, probably came from strongman acts and very likely wresting.
But the cape is a weird touch, don't ya think?
- Raff said...
Maybe this had an influence:
Mongolian Wresting outfit description
- JohnK said...
You guys are ruining the magic.
Don't you wanna believe in pure creativity?
How did someone come up with the mask that doesn't hide your face, yet no one can recognize you or your voice?
Answer that, smartypantses.
- Hammerson said...
Hilarious pizza doodles! The expression on the first one really cracks me up! I remember Phantom and Mandrake the Magician (another creation of Lee Falk), these were two of my favorite comic heroes when I was a kid. Even used to draw my own, completely ridiculous versions of the characters. Several comic magazines used to reprint the original episodes from '30s to '50s, and I really enjoyed these as a kid... I wonder what would be my reaction if I read them now.
By the way, here are some new Jimmy drawings.
Take a look
- Captain Napalm said...
I'll believe in "pure creativity" when I see it. The fact that everything comes from somewhere isn't just an outlook, it's a fundamental part of understanding how creativity works. Frankly, I think the word "purity" should be removed from the english language - it has never done any good, ever.
- Andrés Sanhueza said...
Some people says that the underpants thing is inspired by the circus performers, that uses trunks over their tights for hide their packages.
- eyeslikesugar said...
I remember reading an article back in December arguing that Don Quixote was the first superhero. They had some pretty solid arguments. My boyfriend is looking up the article online right now and said that Peter David wrote an article about Don Quixote being the first superhero. I guess it's how you define it; he certainly can't fly, nor does he wear his underwear on the outside, but he had firm beliefs and will-power.
I enjoy the idea of Don Quixote being the first superhero =)
- Ted said...
First superhero: ancient. See, for example, Melquart/Samson/Hercules. You even get a costume with wearing the skin of the Nemean lion.
- Tommy said...
"Superheroes are a great American tradition and I kind of wish they would go back to being More mainstream in cheap throwaway comics on newsprint so every little kid could grow up normal, instead of just a few super nerdy kids (and adults!) who have to go out of their way to specialty comic stores for blurry photoshopped angry superheroes with pointy anatomy on expensive slick paper."
Yes, thank you.
- Ardy said...
I always get mad at the way people perceive Batman. The original Batman comics are ridiculous! Batman and Robin slept together and fought clowns with an endless arsenal of gadgets that all had the word "bat" in front of them. Nowadays people act like Batman was always an angst-filled anti-hero with a disturbing film-noir inspired past. Come on.
Superheroes should never be taken seriously.
- Adam T said...
Superheroes are a great American tradition and I kind of wish they would go back to being More mainstream in cheap throwaway comics on newsprint so every little kid could grow up normal, instead of just a few super nerdy kids (and adults!) who have to go out of their way to specialty comic stores for blurry photoshopped angry superheroes with pointy anatomy on expensive slick paper.
I've read some newer super hero comics, and you've really nailed it. The artwork is absurd. Tights have been replaced by hundreds of pounds of armor made out of stone. And ink work and fun colors have been replaced by lens flare effects and mud.
I blame Japan for killing American superheroes. Nintendo came into American homes around 1983 which began a Japanese pop culture invasion. This passed by most adults at the time but kids who were my age and younger, and played video games, couldn't escape it.
So the new generation of superhero comics are definitely in the Japanese model, where superheroes don't have outlandish superpowers but gimmicky weapons and armor. Same for the drawing style.
Japanese pop culture fetishism and Wacom tablets are running the show these days.
- Jose said...
haha! man, this post made me laugh. yeah it suck that comics all try to be and look 'slick'. and why are all these heroes angry? why is everyone angry these days? remember when batman was some wiseguy, cracking jokes? same with the phantom now that i think about it. then they made him a dark knight guy too.
- Captain Napalm said...
Isn't it funny how blaming the Japanese for ruining everything is almost a calling card for any serious discussion of classic comic art and animation these days? (Oh, this comment is sooo gonna get deleted...)
- Jose said...
oh, and speaking of bald-looking heroes with eye mask:
- Backthrow said...
Don'tcha wish Hollywood's superhero movies were more like these--
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okxWjilRY3s (no visible underwear on this guy, but Michael Jackson stole his jacket, so it's sorta similar territory)
- Ted said...
Ardy, Batman started out pretty serious. No Robin, no Joker, just some thugs and a guy in a mask willing to push said thugs into, for starters, vats of acid.
But then, Batman isn't actually a superhero, he is a non-powered psychopath with a big wallet and a one track mind. Which is what makes him much more interesting than the alien boyscout in the red cape. He wasn't silly until after WWII (tho some of the patriotic stories are a bit silly in retrospect), and stopped being silly for the most part in the late '60s/early '70s. If you want a cartoony Batman, then read some Batmite comics.
- I.D.R.C. said...
I think the word "purity" should be removed from the english language - it has never done any good, ever.
I'd be lost without the phrase, "pure bullshit".
I think Frank Miller is the father of super-serious superheroes. He added several billion dollars the the Batman franchise with THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS. Every bat thereafter was based in part on that, and everybody noticed the revenue stream.
All Frank really did was build on Stan Lee's idea of superheroes with real-world problems. Stan Lee never made the mistake of believing that the problems and the angst and the darkness were the main appeal. He primarily delivered FUN, not depression.
I may be out on a limb here, having not looked at a comic book in a long time, But I think what is being sold now has more to do with appealing to a kid's sense of alienation and power fantasies than their desire for heroism. In other words, the underlying psychology is not saving the world from evil, it's getting back at those guys that laughed at you. I just made that up, but 20 bucks says it's true.
- James said...
Japan is still a place where you can find newsprint comics with ridiculous stories. Really weird stuff like guys beating the crap out of each other with their nose hair. Japan is not to blame for the West's creative bankruptcy.
The cape came from wanting to show speed and movement in an easy way. Read the hsitory of DC comics, kids. The mask is just a fun way to make him look mysterious. It came from Zorro and the Lone Ranger. It's a grand old American Tradition of nonsensical kids stuff. I think the tights were meant to look vaguely futuristic.
Bill Watterson has a great quote: "You can make your hero a pyschopath, you cann fill the pages will gut splattering violence, and you can call it a 'graphic novel,' but comic books are still incredibly stupid"
At least the old comics were stupid yet fun. New ones are stupid, depressing nihilistic garbage. Where's the high adventure and two-fisted action of yesteryear?
idrc: Frank Miller? Realistic? Here's a quote from him that sums him up:
"People are attempting to bring a superficial reality to superheroes which is rather stupid. They work best as the flamboyant fantasies they are. I mean, these are characters that are broad and big. I don't need to see sweat patches under Superman's arms. I want to see him fly."
Did anyone think 300 was realistic? Of course not, Miller specializes in characters that are mythic and one-dimensional. I'm not a fan of Miller because his stuff looks too simple and flat to me (Like Alex Toth crossed with japanese art) and his writing is too dark but I hardly think he is to blame.
- Captain Napalm said...
Good point, IRDC - pure bullshit is rampant. Everywhere. James is right too.
- Ben Forbes said...
These doodles are hilarious. Sadly, there aren't many great comics out at the moment.
Heres a Sody pose based on one of Rex H's quick storyboard sketches. I couldn't scan m original so I had to use my old tablet to get it on the computer.
- Joel Bryan said...
Blaming Japan is silly. It's practically a non sequitor that shows more about the bias of the commenter than it illuminates anything about why a lot of mainstream superhero comics suck today.
Are there influences from Japanese comics? Yeah, but there are just as many from American sources, and a constant lowering of the bar in terms of content in order to catch whatever wave of darkness the companies think the kids are into this week. What was Spawn but Todd McFarlane putting Spider-Man's mask together with Batman's cape, stealing a ton of angst from Frank Miller's Dark Knight Returns and then slapping on a heapin' helpin' of Satan, 'cuz Satan rocks, dude!
Just naked pandering to the lowest common denominator. And hugely successful. But Japanese?
But I'm with John. Superheroes are intrinsically silly and adding on layers of existentialism or nihilism hasn't done anything but amplify their basic absurdity. And even attempts at "realism" are merely arbitrary.
Got a problem?
Punch it away!
- mike f. said...
[I think what is being sold now has more to do with appealing to a kid's sense of alienation and power fantasies than their desire for heroism...]
The key word here is "kid". After a certain age - say, 12 or so - kids are supposed to stop reading comics, and start reading REAL books, WITHOUT staples.
Then, hopefully, start dating girls...
Adult males who still read superhero comics are - I'm trying to be diplomatic here - retarded, and in more ways than one.
Frank Miller made a fortune by cynically appealing to the most backward segment of an already socially and intellectually-retarded segment of American society: ADULT superhero comic book readers, (i.e: "morons")
By taking a preposterous concept and making it "darker", he only added a layer of pomposity. As if "moronic" wasn't bad enough, modern superhero comics strive to be moronic AND pretentious!
(As Dean Wormer would have said - that's no way to go through life, is it?)
What's next? Frank Miller's "Dark Forbush Man" from NOT BRAND ECCH!?
The mouthbreathers would love it, and they wouldn't even know they were being made fun of!
I always hated superheroes as a kid for just that reason: they were too serious, depressing and angry.
- PCUnfunny said...
Batman was dark in his early incarnations because he actually carried a gun and would usually murder the main villians, though accidently. However, it was still quite silly because of the theatrical dialogue. No one in those comics you could really take seriously. The same can be said for the Batman comics by Denny O'Neill and Steven Engelheart. There was a sense of grit, not reality, but those stories still had the melodramatic dialogue. Today's comics are sadly absent of those silly aspects that made them fun. Comic artists and writers are making the super heros "realistic". I also miss the days of comic book publishers not forcing you to read like three different comic book series just to finish one story. Anyone who buys comic books on a regular basis knows what I am talking about. Personally, I am starting to get bored with super hero comics and I am turing to funny animal ones like Carl Barks' work. Scrooge McDuck is far more complex then any super hero who was ever existed.
- PCUnfunny said...
IDRC: You are so right. Comic books, just like Manga, today are now being filled with moody teenages with super powers.
- escapefrmla said...
I do think that the Japan influence is a big factor in what is going on now .I am not sure if you can actually " Blame " the Japanese. They have and had their style all along forever, we at some point decided to marry both styles. The younger generation has gobbled it up making this style the norm. So now you can only hope that the smaller publishers try and keep the classic style alive. There is some retro stuff coming back but not enough mostly self published. I do agree 100% that the humor and all around good time feeling is gone. It's now about how I can kill you and how cool the blood spatters on the glossy cover you paid $5 for.
- Adam T said...
Japan is still a place where you can find newsprint comics with ridiculous stories. Really weird stuff like guys beating the crap out of each other with their nose hair. Japan is not to blame for the West's creative bankruptcy.
I was only commenting on mainstream superhero comics. The Japanese make superior automobiles, game shows, and video games. We can learn much from them.
And I don't mind Japanese influence in superhero comics at all if it led to more variety and new ideas improving what was already great, but the mainstream comic book industry is now over saturated with artists whose primary influences are Japanese.
There was a shift in the influences of mainstream comic book pencillers that began in the mid nineties. Here's Uncanny XMen #301 pencilled by John Romita Jr. He's clearly working within the American superhero comic tradition and here's Uncanny XMen #340 pencilled by Joe Madureira. When he took over the series became hugely popular. So the execs at Marvel and DC found a bunch of people who drew like him thinking they could reproduce Uncanny XMen's success.
Now there are more artists working in mainstream superhero comic books who draw like Joe Madureira than like John Romita Jr, which is annoying. Because the manga style is less interesting in my opinion. It's too stylized. Not even Maria Shriver is that angular. It's like the modern architecture of comic art. If all we're allowed to work with is rectangles, concrete, and glass all of our buildings are going to start to look the same.
I just think the American tradition leaves more room for the artists to inject original ideas while still having a solid foundation to build upon.
As for the source of the West's creative bankruptcy. I blame market research and lousy public schools.
- PCUnfunny said...
(As Dean Wormer would have said - that's no way to go through life, is it?)
Just as bad being "Fat,drunk,and stupid". ANIMAL HOUSE RULES !
- Dan Jackson said...
mike f.... I think you forgot to eat your 'Mongo Chow' today.
"Adult males who still read superhero comics are - I'm trying to be diplomatic here - retarded, and in more ways than one."
Yeah, maybe. Same could be said for adult males who still watch and obsess over cartoons (I guess it's ok for females though).
- lastangelman said...
All this business with the tights does hearken back to vaudeville performers and circus strongmen.
The business with the mask can be historically ascribed to this fancy-pantsed creation, whom appears to have been influenced by radio serials of the day. It is in the public domain, now so he's ripe for a revival.
Today, there are too many distractions for kids' attention. Television, cable, internet, cell phones, video games, 'splosion filled cinematic eruptions and this weird thing that crept in during the nineties - irony. Innocence, playful creativity, forgeddaboutit! Unbelievably enough, there is still the magic that is "the suspension of disbelief", but now that regard is held for "reality show" stars. Whoa! There's that irony thing, again.
Irony is the great enemy of innocence in today's pop culture. Oddly enough, if something hokey and sappy enough comes along, it gets mistaken for innocence and does gangbusters for the marketers. Genuine innocence in entertainment will occasionally touch the masses in today's pop culture and score a grand slam, but it is still quite a rare event (do you think one of the themes of Brad Bird's The Incredibles was about getting in touch with, or reviving the lost innocence of bygone days of superheroes?).
Returning to form, the original idea of the tights-wearing bemasked crimefighters, with (i.e Superman, Spider-Man, Captain America)or without(i.e The Phantom, The Bat-Man, Captain Klutz) superhuman abilities or resources, is ripe for a comeback, as long the irony business is left out. There is a longing, I feel, culturally for something that was once pure, fun, doesn't require a lot of thinking or overanalyzing, just accepting right out what a character or characters is/are, and get on with the business of fun. In your commentary on the Popeye cartoons, you zeroed in what made those original Fleischer cartoons so successful, that could be applied in creating a new superhero comic for the 21rst century.(Hell, I'd be happy as a pig in slop if the original vision of Segar's Popeye was brought back, a bad language mangling, hot-headed barroom brawling, rascally but lovable sailor - I haven't any read any modern Popeye strips ever since he became politically correct - how humility-aysking! - but Popeye as America's first real superhero, is for another post, I imagine.)
- Bitter Animator said...
So... anyone see Iron Man?
I love the idea of comics, but it's the fact that 99% or more are superhero comics that put me off. And I don't have the energy to go looking for that 1%.
As many here have observed, most seem to be just angsty kids. That's what sells and, seeming, has sold since the late 80s. Alienation. Being a miserable androgynous little shit.
Well I think misery and bitterness needs to be earned. What do kids know of misery? Nothing. Well, most of them.
I wonder if I made a comic called MiserableAndrogynousLittleShit-Man, would it sell? It's about a man who was bitten by a radioactive miserable androgynous little shit and gains the power of both man and the, well, you know. I'm totally going to make that.
Anyway, I enjoyed that Iron Man movie.
- Colin said...
John, I've read this blog for a long time, and I agree with most of the things you say. But on this issue, I couldn't disagree with you more.
When comics started getting deeper, it was the best thing to happen to them.
If comics would have stayed as that lame throwaway crap, we never would have gotten such great works as Watchmen.
- Colin said...
"Adult males who still read superhero comics are - I'm trying to be diplomatic here - retarded, and in more ways than one."
I think the fact that I'm coherent enough to use a computer and form a rational thought is proof positive against that claim.
- Eddie Fitzgerald said...
John: Haw! Great drawings and great comments on the state of superhero comics! We need to get cheap, kid-friendly comics into venues where kids can find them and buy them.
Vincent: Interesting! It never occurred to me that carnival strongmen were the first to dress that way!
- Colter said...
Maybe the original creators of these comics were just perverted.
Also.. The Phantom was made into a movie in 1996 starring Billy Zane.
http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi569901337/ - HAHAHAHAHAHAHHA
- HemlockMan said...
Ah, Mort! A true Prophet!
Me...I miss the gorilla covers.
- PCUnfunny said...
I very much enjoyed the Iron Man movie and I want to see The Dark Knight as well.
- Hryma said...
Thanks John for taking the time to gander at my BG's and George and giving constructive critique.
Very much appreciated!
I've also posted some "Inked" images up on my blog.
Ones with ink and brush and others graphics tablet in photoshop.
I can sweep too and on the odd occasion, can clean toilets. I have refrences.
Sad thing about kids these days, I don't think they'd understand cheap kid friendly comics. They want them to shine and 'bling'.
- nagyaron said...
seems like this post needs it's own blog :D
there are some interesting theories here, and it's fun to read them.
About the strongman theory... Now there's a point!
And setting Don Quijote as the first super hero... Amazing idea! (Still there's some truth in going back a few thousend years for the first hero, and if i had to pick someone, it would be Gilgamesh)
And finally, for everyone's amusement here's 2 paintings by Daumier in this subject:
that's Don Quijote
and that's a strongman of the festivals (actually it's not from Daumier, it's an interpretation of a Daumier painting by Dale Richards)
- Karswell said...
>Adult males who still read superhero comics are - I'm trying to be diplomatic here - retarded, and in more ways than one.
"Jesus Christ was the first superhero, he saved the word and all your souls," says the adult male who can't stop reading the most overrated supernatural hero book of all time.
Now who's retarded?
- cemenTIMental said...
Great post + doodleS! :)
So the new generation of superhero comics are definitely in the Japanese model,
But they don't really even HAVE superhero comics in japan!
They do however have what the US comic industry should be aspiring towards: a real living comic industry, publishing comics in more than one single genre, which are widely read by real life actual people of all walks of life, not just a tiny niche of collector nerd man-children.
The popularity of Japanese pop culture in the west is not a cause of how terrible our comics are, it's an EFFECT.
- PCUnfunny said...
Colin: I am personally for some deeper ideas in comics but can't they aknowledge they are rather silly ? Even when Marvel started dealing with issues such as racism and drugs there was still was the colorful dialogue.
- J Hobart B said...
Well, I guess I'll be the first to go against the current on this one, because I like the dark, angsty "graphic novel" type superheroes.
I like the old, goofy ones too, but to me, the current crop is only serious if you take them that way. I see it more as a heightened, caricatured version of seriousness, which is no less fun than the old style because it's so over-the-top and goofy. A guy who dresses like a bat and punches bad guys is silly, but when that guy cries about how he's doing it all for his dead parents, it's even sillier.
It's still fun because it's still popcorn entertainment. I would agree whole-heartedly with the Watterson quote that Jorge posted, except I think of that as a defense of angsty-angry comics breed, not a slam.
- Raff said...
Folks, here's something that covers the bases: It's a collaboration between the Americans and the Japanese, is good silly over-the-top superhero fun and has Gary Owens doing his best superhero announcer shtick:
Migthy Orbots
Wish I could find a better copy.
- The Butcher said...
The coolest superheroes don't even wear underwear. The Hulk, Doctor Strange, Iron Man, and Lobo don't bother with that shit.
- Nathan said...
I think the artwork in the early superhero comics was absolutely stunning. I recently looked through many old comic books to get inspiration for an animated film I was working on called Mortonomous. The colors in those comics were inspired me a ton. You can take a look at my short film at http://www.mortonomous.com
Great post John!
- Colin said...
"We need to get cheap, kid-friendly comics into venues where kids can find them and buy them"
They are. Marvel and DC both produce Marvel Adventures and Johnny DC respectivley that are aimed at younger kids. Plus Disney still produces comics like Ducktales, Bongo puts out Simpsons Comics, and Stan Sakai's Usagi Yojimbo has always been accesible for all readers.
But seeing as how the majority of comic book readers are adults, comics are written for adults.
- mike f. said...
[At least the old comics were stupid yet fun. New ones are stupid, depressing nihilistic garbage. Where's the high adventure and two-fisted action of yesteryear?]
I couldn't have said it better, Jorge.
The old superhero comics didn't have any pretensions. They were fun, old-fashioned escapist entertainment for kids, and the young at heart.
For all you adult superhero fanboys out there, (are you listening, Colin?) - if you MUST insist on being a retard, at least don't be a retard with delusions of grandeur. Ask your mom to buy you a REAL book!
I can't believe anyone in his right mind could take BATMAN seriously. (It seems to me the old sixties TV show got the tone just right; as did Bruce Timm.)
Frank Miller ruined comics forever by targeting self-important adult ignoramuses. He must be laughing all the way to the bank...
[PS: Did ANYone like the movie?]
Do you mean THE PHANTOM, Trevor? I just remember lusting after a young Catherine Zeta-Jones. Couldn't tell you anything else about it if you tortured me - which the rest of the movie did, incidentally.
I never liked superhero comics for just these reasons as a kid. They were depressing, angry and way too serious. I just couldn't see the appeal of no fun at all.
Let's bring back some good old fashioned cheesy men in tights.
- Ted said...
There were some light hearted BTAS episodes, but also plenty of dark ones (pretty much any R'as al Ghul story, ofr a start), probably more serious episodes than comedic ones (with jokes thrown in even the serious episodes, of course). The Mad Love graphic novel was darker than the episode (more explicitly about domestic abuse), but they were both from Brice Timm... Justice League ended up getting pretty serious, and while Timm wasn't as involved as in BTAS, he was still involved. He was pretty involved in the Return of the Joker movie, and that was quite dark.
- Colin said...
"if you MUST insist on being a retard, at least don't be a retard with delusions of grandeur. Ask your mom to buy you a REAL book!"
Wow, that's your best argument, calling me retard. I'd fire back, but, I don't fight with 12-year-olds.
Dude, you're the ones with delusions of grandeur. You think you're better than me just cause I read comics. If you don't like them that's fine, but don't go around thinking you can insult the people that do just cause you have a hair up your ass.
I find it odd you like Bruce Timm's take on Batman, seeing as how it was his serious take on the character that helped change superhero cartoons.
But you know what, do whatever gets you off at night. You're not going to make me feel back for liking what I do. And if you wanna be a closed minded douche, fine. A sfar as I'm, concerned, you can go fuck yourself and your mamma.
- Adam T said...
Maybe the social maladjusted man-children who read modern superhero comics could no longer relate to selfless heroes saving total strangers.
They wanted their life romanticized. So that means isolation, brooding, jealousy, and REVENGE on the bullies, I mean villains, who've wronged them in the past.
I don't really know it's all speculation, but I agree with Jorge and Mike that adventure for adventure's sake has disappeared. Instead of being the plot, adventure is used as a plot device for 'exploring the heroes psyche'. And as a bonus you can enjoy those thought bubbles with jagged disproportionate faces and lots of Photoshop effects.
Hollywood occasionally supplies brainless adventure, but you can't go to a news stand and get a temporary fix anymore.
- Kali Fontecchio said...
I like superheroes because you can see their package bulge. That's about it. Wolverine, and Powderedtoast Man have some nice ones. Go package power!
- queefy said...
- PCUnfunny said...
Ted: BTAS was good because it kept the humor even in the most serious episodes like "The Laughing Fish". After that, Timm made the mistake of making his work just serious. Return of The Joker was a nice return to that BTAS style but only in the flashback sequence. Everything else was bland in the film, especially Terry Mcginness who's personality can only be summoned as "teenager".
- I.D.R.C. said...
Jorge, I never said Frank Miller is "realistic", I said he built on the idea of superheroes with real-world problems for his DARK KNIGHT. So did Mc Farlane's Spawn. I don't know who was first.
I also never said that that was the only trick up Miller's sleeve. I'm not trying to assassinate his character. I'm not even saying he did something wrong. I just think he did something that caught on, in some form, across the industry. Others may have done it first for all I know, but he did it with BATMAN, and that eventually translated into billions that are too hard for others to ignore or to not attempt in some form to replicate. So just as many might say we have a post-John K. animation industry, we may have a post-Miller superhero comics industry, or something like that.
That is my reasoning, anyway, but I admit there is little real studying involved. I don't mind at all being contradicted, there is nothing at at stake for me, just get the points right. Perhaps I failed to adequately express it.
- JoeyCee said...
The Spider (not Spiderman mind you) may have been the 1st super hero...
was what batman was based on...Rich crime fighter with a secret identity...loads of fun
- PCUnfunny said...
Since we are on comic books, artist Jim Lee is gulity as charged with blandless in the 1st degree. All the men, women, and children look exactly the same.
Kali: I agree, nothing like a big sexy bulge.
Colin: Those kids comics Marvel and DC produce are the best comics out there now, but they're still too expensive and are not widely available at every newsstand, drugstore, Wal-Mart and 7/11. I collected the Justice League Adventures comic (based on Bruce Timm's tv show) and they were great! Bruce Timm's angular style works good in comic books, perhaps moreso (better inked and posed) than in animation. But they were terribly expensive and hard to find.
The fact that most comic books are for adults and the dominance of "comic book stores" full of creepy adults with man boobs, ironic t-shirts, long hair and unshaven faces over the aforementioned large circulation locations is the reason the artform/business is dead.
The business model itself is all wrong.
Kali: That's offensive.
Queefy: AMIDOINITRITE?
idrc: I think I get what you're saying and you're probably right.
- Colin said...
"Colin: Those kids comics Marvel and DC produce are the best comics out there now, but they're still too expensive and are not widely available at every newsstand, drugstore, Wal-Mart and 7/11. I collected the Justice League Adventures comic (based on Bruce Timm's tv show) and they were great! Bruce Timm's angular style works good in comic books, perhaps moreso (better inked and posed) than in animation. But they were terribly expensive and hard to find.
The fact that most comic books are for adults and the dominance of "comic book stores" full of creepy adults with man boobs, ironic t-shirts, long hair and unshaven faces over the aforementioned large circulation locations is the reason the artform/business is dead.
The business model itself is all wrong."
Okay yeah I don't know the walking stereotpes you talk to, but the ones I know, bathe, are clean shaven. dress normally, hold down jobs, have families, and are easily relateable and fun to talk to,.
The fact that you link us all into one big steretype just proves your ignorrance about it.
- Ted said...
There's humor in the post BTAS Timmverse. In Justice League, that mostly comes from the Flash (the one where he switches bodies with Luthor is hilarious), but there's other stuff like the Question's relationship with the Huntress, or the whole "Wonder Woman turns into a pig" episode.
At the same time, there are some stories that are better off without a bunch of humor in them. Justice League's first season wasn't very good, but it wasn't due to the lack of humor so much as the general not especially goodness of it.
- Booo Tooons Ltd. said...
Hey Mr. Fontanelli:
"Do you mean THE PHANTOM, Trevor? I just remember lusting after a young Catherine Zeta-Jones. Couldn't tell you anything else about it if you tortured me - which the rest of the movie did, incidentally."
Mike, I like your style. I'm with you. I remember in the early 90's seeing this movie, the new ZORRO and Eric Idle's SPLITTING HEIRS, and they were the reason I elected Catherine Zeta Jones that year as 'best ass in Hollywood".
She was topped a few years later, in my book, by Salma Hayek.
"You guys are ruining the magic.
Don't you wanna believe in pure creativity?"
Yes. That's why I watch 'Baby Bottleneck' and 'Buckaroo Bugs'! That's what I see in those two cartoons, and that's why I love them because Clampett achieves pure creativity in those cartoons the most, IMHO.
I grew up reading The Phantom's daily strip, and like Dick Tracy, I knew, even at seven, I wasn't reading the original version of this classic strip. It was just a feeling, and it wasn't until I was fifteen that I got to see the original comics and art, and I felt cheated.
But I believe in magic. In a young girl's heart.
- trevor.
- PCUnfunny said...
Ted: It wasn't just humor lacking in Timm's work, it was the lack of humanity as well. He managed to make some of the villians suprisingly sympathetic as well as Batman/Bruce Wayne in BTAS. I thought Justice League season 2 and onward was good but it can't compete with what he did that first Batman series.
- PCUnfunny said...
Jorge: Common sexy, lighten up !
- Mitch K said...
Space Ghost never had any underwear! He's still awesome, though.
Rocket Robinhood used to keep a cucumber in his shorts.
- Ted said...
There's plenty of humanity laced villains in the Timmverse post-BTAS. Mercy Graves and Bizarro had their complexity in SupermanTAS. Ten in Batman Beyond had layers, and Mr Freeze in BB continued the complexity from BTAS. The whole Hawkgirl thing in Justice League was all about grey. There was a lot less opportunity in Justice League for single villain exploratory stories because of the group based stories, tho. That's a function of it being Justice League instead of Solo Hero Show, and that does affect the kind of stories they can end up doing; when they ended up doing exposition stories, it was on members of the League, not the villains (with a few exceptions, like a Luthor or Amanda Waller episode here and there).
- Guy said...
cementimental: You think Americans don't publish comics in other genres? There's little market for comics not in the superhero genre. Just as there's little market in Japan for comics that don't use their couple basic story structures (e.g. their food comics that aren't all that different from their punching comics) and cliches.
- Bitter Animator said...
Space Ghost is indeed awesome.
It is kind of funny to have all these adult cartoon fans arguing about the validity of comics and when reading them becomes "retarded".
Anyway, the post and comments has inspired me so my latest superhero creation (and by latest, I mean first) will be up on my blog for ridicule this morning.
But, you know, I'd love to see everyone elses superheroes too.
- PCUnfunny said...
Ted; Ten was just a lame excuse to pull a Romeo and Juliet-esque "Capulets vs. Montagues" senario. Mr.Freeze really did not need to appear in BB. He didn't care about anything else after he realized he would never get his wife back again so ressurecting the character was pointless. The whole point of his existense as a super villian was to be re-united with Nora at any cost. I'll will give you Mercy from STAS and Hawkgirl. You got to refresh my memory about Bizarro.
- BrineB said...
Love the doodles, pizza, beer and scrawling was a major part of my growing up ... I only had to give up the pizza!!!!
- Booo Tooons Ltd. said...
I'm that rare breed of comic nerd that loves every incarnation of Batman.
From the original comics and serials shot in the 40's, to the Bruce Timm cartoons and Christian Bale's films.... love 'em all!
Even if Schumacher's clusterfilm 'Batman and Robin' is on, I can still turn off the sound and stare at Uma Thurman's green cameltoe.
But I love Batman, and I can't remember an incarnation of the character I didn't like in some capacity.
- trevor.
- cemenTIMental said...
Guy, You think Americans don't publish comics in other genres?
No, I was exaggerating for effect, but they barely do to any real extent. Even a lot of "serious" comics are basically deconstructions of the superhero genre, or comics with the same kind of characterisation, drawing style and structure as a superhero comic. Alternative comics are even less popular than superhero ones. Sure there's some great stuff tho.
There's little market for comics not in the superhero genre.
Yes, that was my point.
Just as there's little market in Japan for comics that don't use their couple basic story structures
Can't really agree with that I'm afraid. Certainly there are generic and formulaic works, and a different kind of visual language often including certain cliches, but the difference in scope between Japanese and American comics is massive.
Western comic people complaining about things they personally dislike in the tiny, non-representative percentage of translated manga they've seen brings to mind one of Jesus' funniest and cartooniest jokes: "How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye?"
:) That Jesus, what a card.
- Frank Macchia said...
i def agree that superheroes were betetr when that had that sort of naieve charm to them...haha...i agree with john big time...the whoel concept has so much fantasy to it..when they start taking superheroes too seriously it just becomes rediculous..the tounge and cheek nature works best...
"Lance Hunt wears glasses..captain amazing DOESNT wear glasses. theyre two different people!"
"he takes them off when he transformers"
"that doesnt even make sense, he wouldn't be able to see"
- Frank Macchia said...
PS john...cheerios man...haha i will never look at that cereal the same way again
- HemlockMan said...
Hasn't Alan Moore expressed some regret over creating that whole revisionist superhero wave? Isn't that way he did all of those silly TOM STRONG things? They read like slightly twisted Mort Weisinger-edited yarns.
- Guy said...
cementimental:Yes, that was my point.
How are we supposed to create this grand variety when there's little demand for it? Businesses don't publish things that don't sell.
Western comic people complaining about things they personally dislike in the tiny, non-representative percentage of translated manga they've seen brings to mind one of Jesus' funniest and cartooniest jokes: "How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye?"
And anime fans like you remind me of Creationism proponents who ignore the real arguments and opinions of their enemies in favor of assaulting their imagined strawman versions.
- MDC said...
I have brought this up before, but y'all need to read Dave Sim and cerebus if you want an amazing perspective on the comic book/graphic novel medium!
- cemenTIMental said...
Oh sorry I thought we were discussing comics. Not really interested in hearing your inner dialogue with some theoretical "anime fan" bugbear of your own imagining but thanks anyway.
- Ted said...
PCU: In STAS, Bizarro was a broken clone of Superman who essentially began falling apart. He meant well, but was used by Luthor (and eventually others), making him tragic (and never really villainous of his own accord). While he was pretty much just a one note gag in Justice League, they kinda used Solomon Grundy in a similar way.
- Bill White said...
The Phantom is a great costumed crime-fighter, but not the first. Check out The Scarlet Pimpernel & Zorro. There's also The Shadow, for you kids who don't like them book-thangs.
- mce said...
I remember reading that the idea of superheroes wearing underwear came from the original artist's need to produce these comics quickly and clothing with folds etc would slow them down, so they just drew the characters naked and let the colourist add a costume.
- Various said...
I take it most of the people who've posted in this thread aren't too keen on Alan Moore's approach to superhero comics (though as someone above mentioned, you might like his Tom Strong), but since Frank Miller's been mentioned a lot, here's Alan Moore doing a dead-on parody of Miller's Daredevil issues.
- Elisson said...
Aw, the hell with Batman and Superman...and the Phantom. Wonder Wart Hog...now, that's a Superhero!
- Jim Rockford said...
"How did someone come up with the mask that doesn't hide your face, yet no one can recognize you or your voice?
Answer that, smartypantses."
good one!
I think thats a question for Dr.Stupid!
- Gerard D. de Souza said...
A leotard would also be what a gymnast or acrobat in the day....so it makes sense if the hero was doing alot of jumping around, running, leaping and swinging.
BTW Leotard was invented and named after Jules Leotard, a French trapeze artist of the 1860s.


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It took a while, but I was able to locate find Patti's Grandmother's house. Couple of unanswered questions are on that record.
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So like I mentioned on Twitter yesterday, my local MAC store released the Sugarsweet collection a day early- today! (Well some of you who are probably reading this, it'll be yesterday, LOL).
I stopped by after work and chatted with the MUA like I always do, since he's super friendly, and I picked up a majority of the collection especially the shadesticks because believe it or not the only shadesticks I own prior to this collection are: Crimsonaire, Cement, and Gracious Me. I loved Butternutty when I swatched it because it's been compared to the "Beige-ing" shadestick and makes a great base for eyeshadows. Red Velvet just looks so yummy and is a rich deep pinkish red, Lemon Chiffon is a bright pale yellow beige. These new shadesticks are actually softer and a bit easier to work with than the old shadesticks. They also seem to last just like the paint pots (the paint pots have awesome staying power for me) because it took me awhile to get the swatches off my hand!
As far as the eyeshadows, I got Aquavert, Dear Cupcake, and the pro-pan refill of Stars N Rockets since it's permanent. I was always looking for the perfect coral eyeshadow, because MAC doesn't have too many coral eyeshadows other than Paradisco which I found to be a really light coral.
Now you know I love lippies! And I can't stop buying 'em, so I bought 2 Saint Germain's (gotta have a backup!) since it's an awesome dupe of "Melrose Mood" (Heatherette). I also compared the two side by side. Lollipop Loving, which is a gorgeous light coral shade with the perfect amount of shimmer; it is also a re-promote from the Heatherette collection, and I also got Bubbles lipstick which is a white pearlized glaze lipstick which was actually discontinued years ago and they brought it back!
The tricolour lipglasses didn't do much for me, like Aileen from Shadesofu pointed out, they are similar to Milani's triple color lipglosses; on top of that I found the MAC version a bit too sticky and thick than the regular lipglasses. And also because I know it would be one of those products I barely would reach for....so I just put my money towards everything else in the collection.
Originally, looking at preliminary swatches I had my eye on the "Perfect Topping" MSF, but when I was in the store, "Refined" won my heart in the end because it was warmer and it was definitely a color that I fell in love with and probably works better with my skintone.
"Consume Me" and one of the lipsticks I believe I was unable to swatch because they didn't get those in yet...
Overall? This collection is just yummy! I love the promo pic of Sugarsweet too with the cupcakes and sprinkles, it's just divine! I think there is definitely something in this collection for everyone and probably one of the best collections that have come out in a long time (personally), even the Hello Kitty collection didn't impress me too much other than the lippies from that collection.
Lipstick swatches, no base:
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Wednesday, March 18, 2009
MAC Sugarsweet Review & Swatches
51 comments
- jilliandanica said...
Those shadesticks look gorgeous! I'm sad I'm going to have to miss out on this one :a:
- March 19, 2009 at 12:33 AM
- sanniet said...
OMG!!! EVERYTHING LOOKS SOO GOOD!!! =( I really want to go to MAC now bleh! Stars N rockets is from their perm collection right? but I love the eye shadow dear cupcake! and those shadesticks are gorgeous!!! bubbles is such a nice color! I think I'm gonna order some >_<
- March 19, 2009 at 12:41 AM
- Nina said...
Saint Germain looks great on you!
- March 19, 2009 at 12:41 AM
- Ares G. said...
they look really yummy^^
- March 19, 2009 at 12:45 AM
- kae said...
oh so pretty! i cant wait to get my hands on some of these! which shadestick do you think looks more like bare study? i have bare study, so i'd like something that looks less like it. i love lollipop loving, i might get a backup. i kinda wanted bubbles, but i think it would be too frosty for my complexion =/
- March 19, 2009 at 12:46 AM
- Stephanie said...
Those Lipsticks look yummy indeed! I am digging Saint Germain. Sweet haul! I am sure youre gonna do a look using this new stuff hehe lookin forward to that!
- March 19, 2009 at 12:47 AM
- XRocksmama said...
Great review! I think I'm gonna pick up some shade sticks and lippies, Saint Germain looks so pretty on you!
- March 19, 2009 at 12:54 AM
- Askmewhats said...
wow wonderful swatches! I have never tried any shade sticks from MAC and I think I am in love with the 3 shade stick colors you've swatched :)
- March 19, 2009 at 1:04 AM
- dani said...
OMG this collection is so pretty! i love the lollipop lipstick and the dear cupcake eyeshadow. i'll probably get those. thank you for doing these swatches so i know which ones i like.
love your site!
- March 19, 2009 at 1:05 AM
- nackybeauty said...
i like the colors for this collection! i need to go check it out! :] great swatches!!! i like the bubbles the most out of the lipstick colors u have one but the others do look good too! i wanna get the bubbles myself :] i like the eyeshadows that you got! thanks for sharing :D
- March 19, 2009 at 1:23 AM
- mel_lee2007 said...
Gorgeous makeup, I wonder if any of those shadesticks are similar in texture to the NYX ones??? Thanks for sharing, I think I really like the St. Germain, Stars n Rockets, Aquavert, sugar shot, Dear Cupcake and Penny I don't own them but from what i see in your swatches I think those are nice.
Love mel :) http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn252/cebong_ipit/templateanna/boy-emoticon-020.gif
- March 19, 2009 at 1:28 AM
- Vanessa said...
Hi Kae! I think Lemon Chiffon might be close to Bare Study although it has a really, really light tinge of yellow in it, but honestly you can barely tell, it just looks like a bright frosty white, so if you already have Bare Study, then Butternutty might be a better alternative. Hope that helps!
- March 19, 2009 at 1:31 AM
- Vanessa said...
And thanks ladies!
- March 19, 2009 at 1:32 AM
- Vanessa said...
OOH Dani! Let me know what you end up with! I am sure all of the colors would look great on you!
- March 19, 2009 at 1:44 AM
- queenyee said...
I love this collection so so much! Those lippies look good on you too dear :)
- March 19, 2009 at 3:35 AM
- Paint Me Gorgeous said...
OMG :swoon:
- March 19, 2009 at 4:00 AM
- valiohh said...
i soo can't wait for this collection.
i lOOVE you freaking haul girl!
thanks for the info on the msfs and swatches.
i just might think that the refined one might not match me. so we'll see. thanks!
- March 19, 2009 at 4:00 AM
- Jenn said...
I LOVE Lollipop Loving with a capital L! :D It's such a lovely shade!!
You can totally pull off the barbie pinks!! I have Melrose Mood and i hardly (i think i've never) wear it outdoors! :P
I'll be skipping most of this collection though... pastels are really not my thing! How do you find the lipglasses? I heard they're sheer!
- March 19, 2009 at 5:22 AM
- Lisa Fashionista said...
ooooh pretty! thanks for posting the swatches! I need Saint Germain and Lollipop Loving! And Dear Cupcake. And the nail polishes look cute too. :)
I agree, the hello kitty collection was a bit of a disappointment for me. I'm much more excited about this!
- March 19, 2009 at 5:52 AM
- Jo said...
lollipop loving is such a pretty color on you. i dunno how it will look on me though =S gotta wait til next month to see!
and the MSFs look much nicer here than the other swatches ive seen on the net. thanks nessa!
- March 19, 2009 at 6:04 AM
- javy said...
awesome swatches ness, def picking up atleast one shadestick now and gosh those msfs look so yummy!! haha
- March 19, 2009 at 6:21 AM
- MakeupByRenRen said...
yay i'm excited to see the swatches! i'm goin to look at them today after work :)
- March 19, 2009 at 6:48 AM
- Just me, myself & I said...
I love the butternutty shadestick... Gotta go check that out! I have stars'n'rockets and I never use it... I must just not look good in it. Can you do a look with that color?
- March 19, 2009 at 7:05 AM
- Amina said...
thank you sooo much for the swatches!e
Everything looks great on you :)
- March 19, 2009 at 7:47 AM
- DSKNguyen said...
*muah! Thank u so much for this post, I would have never known about lollipop loving if it wasn't for u! I was thinking about skipping out on this collection!
- March 19, 2009 at 7:55 AM
- Tammy said...
I want it all!!
Correction: I NEED it all!! LOL
- March 19, 2009 at 8:22 AM
- **Star said...
This really is a cute collection...
I think I like it better then the past couple of collections...
- March 19, 2009 at 8:37 AM
- Jéssy said...
I love the lipsticks Bubbles and Lollipop Loving!
They are great! Saint .. I am not impressed =/
- March 19, 2009 at 9:05 AM
- Leslie Yang said...
omg lollipop loving looks so beautiful! i love the golden shimmers! everything else looks...yummy!
- March 19, 2009 at 9:18 AM
- Ana Lidia said...
I love love love the LolliPop Loving and the Bubbles lipsticks. That's what's going to cover my lips. :)
- March 19, 2009 at 10:03 AM
- Miss Yaya said...
i love all of it i need to go get some!
- March 19, 2009 at 10:23 AM
- Joey said...
Those shadesticks look sooo gorgeous!! I think I'll pick one or two up.. You're such an enabler! haha. I was going to skip this collection ;p
I'm thinking of aquavert too.. such a pretty color!
- March 19, 2009 at 11:57 AM
- madison817 said...
they released sugarsweet a day early at my mac as well so i totally love this review. the only thing i really was looking forward to was the shadesticks but when i swatched them, the only one i could see myself wearing was Butternutty BUT it seemed to come off easily... i dunno, i've never tried their shade sticks before but i was kinda disappointed with this collection! could you do a FOTD/tutorial on using shadesticks?
- March 19, 2009 at 12:07 PM
- xoannie said...
Aahhh sooo pretty!! I really want the shadesticks, I love the pastels. Thanks for the swatches! :h:
- March 19, 2009 at 12:27 PM
- Jennifer said...
I'm going on such a M.A.C. binge this weekend!!!
- March 19, 2009 at 12:51 PM
- FuN and MakeUp said...
you make me wanna get the sugar sweet collection!!!! its soOOo yummieee n realy nice colors!!
- March 19, 2009 at 2:08 PM
- mandilicious said...
hi nessa, i went to my MAC counter to check this collection out. Originally, i was going to pick up Aquavert e/s and Butternutty..but i skipped on Aquavert cuz i thought it was pretty close to Gilded Green pigment..but now i'm not sure..lol..i'm writing you a long ass comment..sorry..i was wondering if you have gilden green pigment too and if it really is similar to aquavert..thanks!!!sorry again for the long comment..lovely haul btw, i'm jealous!
- March 19, 2009 at 2:14 PM
- Shades Of U said...
Awww we loved/hated almost the same things! Didn't like the tricolour l/gs that much as well. Refined rocks my socks as well. I can't wait to get my stuff later. I agree, the shadesticks are pure loveeee. Can't wait to use 'em. :)
- March 19, 2009 at 3:09 PM
- ♥ Kendall ♥ said...
I don't have any shade sticks!! If the collection is still around after my NO HAULING CHALLENGE, maybe I'll snag 1 or 2 :)
Ohh, I get a break the week of my B-DAY!!! Haha, there's always a loophole!
- March 19, 2009 at 3:45 PM
- Anonymous said...
Oh, this collection seems to come up with really nice colors!
I'm in love with this green e/s.
- March 19, 2009 at 5:13 PM
- Phyrra said...
I was going to ask you how Crimsonaire and Red Velvet compared. I used to have Royal, Lucky Jade and Crimsonaire shadesticks but I hated them so much I gave them to a friend. I always felt like I was tugging my eye off to get the color on them (I only recently heard that heating them with a hair dryer worked.
I have Aquavert from Lure and love it. I was told that because I have Pink Pearl Pigment from Heatherette that it's pretty close to Stars n' Rockets, and I could skip it. I'm very curious about Dear Cupcake.
I think I really want Lollipop Loving and Sweet Thing.
Perfect topping looks pretty.
Unfortunately I think the lipglasses are too sheer :( I don't often wear sheers.
St. Germain sort of reminds me of Nyx Strawberry Milk. It looks cute on you ;)
Lollipop Loving looks amazing, and Bubbles is pretty.
Thanks for the fabulous review :) I love seeing the swatches and the lippies on you.
- March 19, 2009 at 5:24 PM
- FabDiva20 said...
Vanessa!! Your haul is amazing and now I do want another Lollipop Loving since it's I've heard it's a gorgeous coral lippie! Good for a everyday look for Spring. I'm thinking about getting Bubbles since it looks pretty. I also want the shadesticks in Butternutty, Lemon Chiffon, and Red Velvet since those are the ones that I'm aiming for. Also, the MSFs are my first priority to get as soon as possible! This collection seems really sweet!
- March 19, 2009 at 8:30 PM
- Saimese said...
I'm loving Lemon Chiffon
- March 19, 2009 at 8:41 PM
- yummy411 said...
woo hoo for red velvet.. it looks so much more cremier.. man i meant to get penny shadestick.. just that perfect pop for neutral gold ... *sigh*
- March 19, 2009 at 8:54 PM
- lulu said...
OMG, they look gorgeous:)
I am broke now :a I spent all my money to HK, but I want to get shadesticks( all of 'em), MSF s, and lollipop loving:)
- March 19, 2009 at 8:59 PM
- Ahleessa said...
The Bubbles lipstick and the msf looks nice! :)
- March 19, 2009 at 11:04 PM
- Sher said...
thanks soo much! yout swatches are the best Ive seen so far! What camera do you use anyway?? how about the lighting? I'm still trying to fiddle with mine to get it right. I think I NEED Lollipop loving, stars n rockets and red velvet! what a time to be broke :(
- March 20, 2009 at 1:06 PM
- Meya said...
wow! everything looks really good, i might have to get me some =]]
- March 20, 2009 at 3:10 PM
- jenger said...
I'm new to your site but I love it soooo much. Thanks!
I feel like I can smell these sweet thangs!! LOL
Lollipop Loving looks great on you!
- March 20, 2009 at 4:11 PM
- dani said...
hey vanessa!
so i ordered sugarshot e/s, dear cupcake e/s, butternutty s/s, lemon chiffon s/s, red velvet s/s, and lollipop loving l/s.
i can't wait for them to come in so i can play with them! i'm so excited! thank you for doing the swatches, it really helped me out A LOT!
- March 21, 2009 at 12:12 AM
- JENSMAKEUPBAG said...
love that collection. i really love shadesticks! you should try the mac pro color CORAL. its a really true coral and beautiful!
- March 22, 2009 at 12:00 AM


text:
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Pushing back on nostalgia, and rounding out the coaching staff
Not that we're not happy to see him back, because there are few former Jays on whom we look more kindly than Hentgen. (You wanna think Shaun Marcum is a bulldog? We once saw Pat Hentgen dive headfirst to beat a runner on a play at first. That's nails.) Plus, we've appreciated that Hentgen has shown a willingness in the past to serve in whatever role the Jays' brass asked of him, rather than just allowing himself to be paraded before the press at Spring Training.
Still, we're showing a bit of restraint on the announcement because:
a) We've seen a long list of other celebrated former Jays make their way onto the coaching roster (Lloyd Moseby, Ernie Whitt, Garth Iorg, Buck Martinez), and none of them blew our minds in terms of their contributions; and,
b) We really don't much have much of a sense of what the bullpen coach does, and before Pappy Walton's ascension to the title of pitching coach, we might not have given more than a moment's thought to the role.
Neverthless, we're eager to at least pay a little more mind to Hentgen, and watch his evolution in the coming years. Might he become a future pitching coach? Or will he be the Chief of Tomfoolery in the bullpen, teaching the youngsters how to administer hotfoots and get phone numbers from the ladies in section 136?
The rest of the staff
If you're looking for a theme to just about everything we're writing lately, it's something like "I don't know what I don't know, but I know that I don't know...so...I dunno." So don't expect much in the way of declarations one way or another on the rest of the Jays staff.
But we can say that we're optimistic about the Jays bringing in Don Wakamatsu, given that some folks have told us that he's tactically strong and gets a bum rap because of how lousy his team was last year. Also, we're happy to see Dwayne Murphy return as the Professor of Power/Hitting Coach, given that it is difficult to quibble with last year's results. Add him to Pappy and Butter, and you've got a good core that will provide some continuity for the players.
The new first base coach, Torey Lovullo, is apparently an old pal of Farrell's, and was rumoured to be coming in as the new bench coach. We're actually relieved that Lovullo, a long time minor league manager, and the skip in Pawtucket this past season, didn't get the nod as Farrell's 2-I-C just yet. It's nice to have a familiar face on the staff for Farrell, and someone who he can trust implicitly...but we're not sure how that sort of (sorry) cronyism would have played with the players and a staff full of guys who were somewhat on the outside of The Manager's crew of old chums.
The sad note here is that Omar Malave, the Jays' first base coach this year, is not on the staff at this point. A lifer in the Jays' organization in a way that few others can claim, we're hoping that the Jays find a role for the long-time minor league manager, especially given the strong Latin contingent coming to the fore, and the lack of a Hispanic voice on the coaching staff for next year.
28 comments:
- sarah said...
Tell me about some things that you DO like, Tao!
- November 9, 2010 at 1:35 PM
- Tao of Stieb said...
Are you saying that I'm excessively negative?
- November 9, 2010 at 1:38 PM
- sarah said...
I'm saying I want to hear about some things that you like! That was an excessively negative interpretation of my comment.
- November 9, 2010 at 1:43 PM
- Tao of Stieb said...
You see, if I had gone ahead and done the "goody-goody-gumdrops" one-legged dance, exclaiming how awesome this was, I would have been inundated by comments that said: "Tao, you don't even know what you're talking about...You're dumb if you think this makes a difference."
So this is what I came up with.
And yes, I am running scared from the anonymous commenters these days, because I really don't feel like I know anything about anything anymore. I spent part of the weekend just catching up on baseball given that I was off saving democracy for the past six weeks.
And BTW: You're welcome.
- November 9, 2010 at 1:52 PM
- The Ack said...
I approve of the "Professor of Power" moniker, even if Murph needs a little work on becoming the Ombudsman of OBP.
- November 9, 2010 at 1:54 PM
- Navin Vaswani (@eyebleaf) said...
Tao: I want you to know that you are appreciated. Thank you for saving democracy. You don't get enough credit.
- November 9, 2010 at 2:15 PM
- Ty said...
If Wakamatsu gets the Mets job, it'd probably make sense Lovullo to shift over as Farrell's bench coach, leaving room for Malave at 1B. Maybe they're waiting to see what happens in NY before re-assigning Malave, just in case? Either way, it looks like a pretty strong coaching staff this year.
Farrell mentioned that one of the main reasons they brought Wakamatsu on is that he's a former catcher, and that's something specific he was looking for:
"Our goal is to make [Arencibia] an everyday catcher behind the plate, leading a pitching staff," Farrell said. "There's further work to be done, and we feel like Don is the right guy for this situation."
That's interesting and encouraging to hear about J.P., given that the Jays have tended to come across as very non-committal when talking about him so far this offseason.
As for Hentgen, I have to say, of all the former players to join the Jays broadcast team for an inning or two over the past couple of years, he came across as being both the most knowledgeable and most enthusiastic, by far. Hard to be cynical about his hiring considering he legitimately seems like a guy who has a lot to offer, at least based on the few short interviews I've seen with him.
- November 9, 2010 at 2:18 PM
Considering the success of our bullpen this past season, perhaps a different approach or at least some serious intensity from the new bullpen coach would help.
- November 9, 2010 at 2:32 PM
- William Tasker - Caribou, ME said...
I think you make a great point about the Latin contingent not having a voice on the coaching staff. I was feeling good about this staff until you said that. Now the Latin thing worries me a bit.
Saving democracy? I hope you were more successful than we were in the U.S.
- November 9, 2010 at 2:39 PM
They could always hang on to Bautista. He speaks Spanish, and I think I read somewhere that his beard speaks Latin, so the Jays would be free to chase after any Cuban or Ancient Roman prospects.
- November 9, 2010 at 2:55 PM
- sarah said...
I second Navin. Your democracy saving, negative or otherwise, is much appreciated. By us and Peter Capaldi also.
- November 9, 2010 at 3:02 PM
- Darren Priest said...
I read today that the A's might be looking to move a starter for an offensive player. I wonder if there's a fit with the Jays.
- November 9, 2010 at 3:05 PM
- Navin Vaswani (@eyebleaf) said...
You know what will really help the Jays bullpen? No Tallet.
- November 9, 2010 at 3:40 PM
- Navin Vaswani (@eyebleaf) said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- November 9, 2010 at 3:40 PM
- Tao of Stieb said...
No Tallet, No Doubt.
T-shirt that shit up.
- November 9, 2010 at 3:54 PM
- The Ack said...
Yo Priest - what the fuck?
- November 9, 2010 at 3:55 PM
- Navin Vaswani (@eyebleaf) said...
- November 9, 2010 at 4:01 PM
- This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
- November 9, 2010 at 4:04 PM
- Darren Priest said...
Not sure how to respond to that, Ack.
I take it you don't think it's a good idea?
- November 9, 2010 at 4:42 PM
Sarah, I want to sit down and have a witty convo with your ass.
- November 9, 2010 at 5:18 PM
- The Ack said...
Why would the Jays be looking for another starter?
- November 9, 2010 at 5:53 PM
- Darren Priest said...
Well, I don't have a blog or anything, but I thought you can never have enough pitching. You can have an abundance of DHers and weak fielders.
I'll have the team work late on a formal proposal so you can really wink your teeth in.
Just kicking around ideas. You can set me straight on Saturday or Sunday.
- November 9, 2010 at 6:07 PM
- The Ack said...
Fight! Fight! Fight!
No really, just seems odd you'd be proposing the Jays add to their strength when the consensus is they'll be looking to shore up the lineup this winter. But you never know what AA has cooking, I guess.
- November 9, 2010 at 7:25 PM
- Darren Priest said...
Yeah, I can be a tough guy from four Provinces away. That's how I roll.
I agree the Jays are strong on starting pitching. I don't have it all sorted out -- just thinking about how things might shake out.
Ultimately, Alex Ant will figure out a way to take our five loaves and two small fishes and feed the multitude something delicious.
In the meantime, you and I can be on the under card when GSP fights Josh Koscheck. Pro tip: tackle me once and I'll gas out and tap.
- November 9, 2010 at 8:10 PM
so, mlbtraderumors has 2 writers predicted maggs ordonez to the jays.
don't we have like 4 corner outfielders?
- November 10, 2010 at 6:35 PM
Presumably they'd sign him to DH and do occasional RF duties. Which leaves Lind at 1B or traded, either of which I'm fine with.
- November 11, 2010 at 10:59 AM
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- November 11, 2010 at 4:03 PM
What about the rumors of Zack Greinke and/or Alex Gordon being asked about?
Greinke seems like a long shot, given the Royals' apparent asking price of "two can't-miss prospects," and the fact that he'll be due a huge contract in two years time.
However, Gordon seems like a typical Anthopoulos pick-up. He's under team control for two more years, and, despite what the Royals say, I think there's a good chance he can be had on the cheap. I'd be willing to gamble on him, given the likely departure of Overbay, and the certain mediocrity (and hopeful non-tendering) of Encarnacion.
- November 11, 2010 at 11:56 PM


text:
The Ferguson One-Name Study
Welcome to my one-name study!
According to my family folklore our Fergusons came originally from Dumfrieshire in Scotland, however, to date no evidence of this has been found. My own family is known to be descended from the Fergusons of Kendal and specifically from Ben Ferguson who was living there in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He was born about 1766 in Pardshaw near Cockermouth, Cumberland. His father was Samual Furguison (sic) who was born about 1720, but where is not known. He married Mary Russel in a Quaker ceremony at Pardshaw in 1756.
Ben had four sons, Samuel, William, Benjamin and James. My third great-grandfather was Ben's son, William, and a comprehensive pedigree of my own family will be found at my own page on this website.
Like many genealogists, whilst researching my family I found many Fergusons with whom I was not related. Rather than just file or discard them I decided that I would create these pages using that information. Since the beginning many other names have been added but the concentration on the Fergusons has remained the primary objective. Thus, where daughters of Fergusons marry, whilst their children may be shown, the lines continue no further. This project is still in its infancy and at present the data is concentrated on the north of England, but traceable lines are followed through should an individual move.
To register please contact me at the address below, quoting "Register" in the subject box. Apart from my own family, details of living people have been withheld but registered users may request those which I have. Registered users may also access additional on-site Source information.
American Connections
Should you have, or be looking for American connections then Fern May, daughter of Ola Rada Ferguson, has a large number of records and may be able to help. See her Ferguson Family site.
My own DNA has been tested and found to be R1a1a which is the Norse Group and has been further confirmed with SNP L448+ and L176.1-. This is quite an unusual group and to date only 10 Fergusons have been identified by FT-DNA as having it. Most are currently from America, but standard genealogy indicates ancestral connections with Ireland and/or SW Scotland.
As with all DNA genealogy it is recommended that you join a Surname group and that of The Ferguson DNA Project has the most comprehensive Ferguson records.
Although every effort has been made to ensure that the information given is as accurate as possible no guarantees are made, and users are urged to verify the information for themselves. The data may be freely used, subject to the Creative Commons license, provided that an acknowledgement of this site is made in the event of it being published.
Why not visit us on your mobile at http://www.fergys.co.uk/mobile/
I would very much appreciate being told of any errors or additions, and all suggestions are most welcome, so please do contact me through the Guild of One Name Studies (below).
© Ron Ferguson 2005 - 2013


text:
So why is it when 10:00 PM arrives, I look around at the house, the dishes piled in the sink, the stack of paperwork awaiting my attention, the cereal spilled on the floor, and the still unfolded clothes, and I think to myself, "What did I do all day?" I've seriously considered the possibility that there's something interrupting the time space continuum in my house; a force field of sorts. Most days I go, go, go to the point of forgetting to take a minute to stop and eat. So, why is everything in disarray come bedtime? Where did my time go?
I often wish there were just a couple more hours in the day. I'm always saying that I don't have enough time to do all I have to do. Too often I feel as if I'm drowning in a sea of chores that I will never, ever be able to accomplish. And I know I'm not alone. In fact, during worship service last month, we had a drama about this very thing. And the other day, when I felt like I was drowning, my good friend Michelle, forwarded me a devotional on this very subject. It came at just the right time and was a good reminder to me. I love when things happen at just the right time and give you the inspiration you need to make it through the day without screaming at the kids
In this devotional, Rick Warren writes, "We all have the same amount of time – 168 hours a week. The only question is, "How am I investing it?" We want to learn to invest it wisely so that we won't be like the man in Isaiah 49:4, who said, "I have used up my strength but have accomplished nothing" (GNT).
Ain't that the truth! To accomplish this, he suggests taking inventory of how you spend your time. Where is all your time going? You might think you only play a couple minutes of solitaire on the computer, but when you actually take note of your starting and stopping time, you might be surprised to find that you spend an hour doing it. You may think you spend 4 hours a day changing diapers (believe me, I know it sometimes feels like it!) but if you actually added up that time, you might be shocked to learn that only 6 minutes a day were dedicated to diaper changing.
He also says to eliminate things that aren't necessary. What you're spending time on may not be a "bad" thing, but is it necessary? Don't mess around with stuff that doesn't need to be done. Concentrate on the things that have to be done first. Yeah, yeah, this is much easier said than done. Sometimes it's difficult to log off the ole computer and pay your bills. Sometimes we just want to sit down for a minute and watch Oprah even though we know we should be planning dinner or running errands or folding laundry. And of course, little kids at home can foul up your best-laid plans. You plan on cleaning the bathroom, but instead, thanks to your little ones, you end up scrubbing pudding off the ceiling, or cleaning dirty footprints off the kitchen counter, or giving impromptu baths because the kids thought it would be a good idea to decorate their hair with maple syrup and baby powder. Not that any of these things have ever happened to me…
Anyway, it's always a good idea to stop, take a deep breath, and think about how you're spending your time. I believe God gives us enough time to accomplish what He wants us to do. If you aren't finishing all your tasks, ask yourself, "Is this really what I should be doing right now?" Maybe it's time to eliminate some of those time robbers. And don't feel guilty about it. The next time someone asks you to head a committee or bake 4000 cookies for the bake sale, or organize a fundraiser, feel free to say, "no". If it's not something you have the time for right now, it's okay to decline. You have to do what you have to do. And it's ok. Unless, of course, it's your kids calling to you from the other side of the house, saying, "Moooom, can you come here a minute? I think the toilet's exploding!" In that case, I suggest you stop the important things you're doing and go. Very fast.
*****Check out my giveaways for Groovy Girls HERE and PhotoFiddle HERE!*****


text:
So, I've been watching my son's games this year with very little interest. I spend my time trying to spot his number amid the jumble of boys on the field. I've had no idea what the boys were doing out there, nor have I cared. I've been content to look on in oblivion, however, the football-crazed fans in the bleachers feel this need to
"See Dawn, what your son did there is he broke through the line and sacked the quarterback. That means he ran past all those guys and knocked down that guy with the ball before he could pass (that means throw) it to a receiver. Did you know the term "quarterback sack" was first used by Hall of Famer, Deacon Jones? Dawn? Dawn?"
"I'm sorry. Did you say something?"
If you don't want to be forced to learn the game, do not let them see the glazed expression in your eyes because that just makes football nuts want to explain things to you in more detail. Instead, pretend to have a clue what's going on. When everyone else cheers, clap! When people stand up and shout, join them! When people look puzzled and start asking each other what just happened, loudly shout, "Aha! See? Even football fanatics don't understand this stupid game!" I mean, look confused and mumble something like, "I'm not sure what just happened," then look intently in the direction of the field as if you're trying to overhear what the refs are saying.
This is what I've learned so far (despite my most earnest attempts to ignore all the explanations.) If you don't understand football and for some deranged reason, want to know what it's all about, read on. Because I'm just so awesome and I love pleasing my readers, I'll enlighten you with my extensive football knowledge.
The game is played on a field that's 100 yards long and, hmmm, I don't really know how many yards wide it is, but it doesn't matter because the players only run back and forth across the width of the field to get drinks of Gatorade and to be slapped on the helmet and the butt by their coaches. There are white stripes every 5 yards that run the length of the field.
The whole idea of the game is for the team to move the ball down the length of the field. They're given 4 chances to move the ball 10 yards. They call these chances downs just to make things more complicated. The white stripes let you know how far they've moved the ball. Plus, they're helpful when you're trying to point out which player is your son. "He's the one standing there hugging that other player on the 40 yard line."
At each end of the field are end zones. The end zones are there so the players have a place to dance after making a touchdown. The end zone is also the zoned-out look that crosses my face at the end of the fourth inning.
A football game is divided into four, 15 minute long, quarters, but football games last about two hours. Now, I'm not mathy, but even I know that doesn't add up. The reason is because they stop the clock everytime someone drops the ball, picks up the ball, kicks the balls, looks at the ball, puts the ball down, throws the ball, runs with the ball, scores, goes out-of-bounds, gets hurt, drops a hanky on the field, wants to talk to the coach, or needs to tie his shoe. Plus there's a 15 minute break at halftime so the coaches can yell at the players, the cheerleaders can put on a show and smile and giggle at the football players, and you can grab another beer.
During these 4 quarters, the players try to run with the ball until the other team jumps on them and squashes them and covers their jerseys with grass stains and mud. Sometimes they try to throw the ball and catch it before the other team jumps on them and squashes them and covers their jerseys with grass stains and mud. Sometimes they try to kick the ball until the other team jumps on them and squashes them and covers their jerseys with grass stains and mud. (There's a lot of jumping, smashing, squashing, smacking, crunching helmets, and grass stains and mud.)
A team scores by running or throwing the ball into the end zone. That's called a touchdown. This is followed by a little dance. If the dance is good enough, the judges give that team an extra point. They can get points for doing other stuff too, but it's too complicated to understand. If you see your team's score suddenly jump up by another point or two, just clap.
Sometimes players do bad things and the referees throw their hankies on the field to protest. For example, when the players all line up with their butts in the air, the goal is to not be the first person to move. It's like a game of chicken and the first person to move gets a hanky thrown at them and then the ref moves the ball back just to tick off the guy who moved first. Sometimes players do other bad things. The ref will throw his hanky on the ground like a princess waiting for a handsome gentleman to pick it up for her. Then he'll make a bunch of gestures signaling the player to steal third.
In the end, the team with the most points wins. And now you know all about football. Check back tomorrow and I'll post a glossary of helpful football terms.
* I just had Jackson read my post. He shook his head and walked away, saying I could just drop him off at his game this weekend and I really don't have to stay.