As we near the end of LGBTQ history month, I thought I would reflect on my favorite gay comic book couples.

Apollo and Midnighter: These two members of Stormwatch and the Authority are my favorites, at least before the new 52. When they didn’t belong to DC, their relationship and marriage were handled superbly. They adopted Jenny Quantum and made good dads, considering their line of work. The authors and artists did a good job of showing that while they were badasses when it came to fighting villains, they had love and affection for each other. It didn’t hurt that they were reflections on Batman and Superman as well. I’m behind on the new 52 versions, but the characters and their relationship got rebooted, so it seems a little watered down now.

Northstar and Kyle: After skirting Alpha Flight member Northstar’s sexuality in one of the worst story lines ever (he’s not gay. He’s a faery, literally), Marvel finally let the character “come out.” They even let him get married to his boyfriend Kyle. While still not a central character, it’s nice to see the married gay couple in the Marvel Universe.

Rictor and Shatterstar: When these two got together in X-Factor, it was I think the first gay kiss in the Marvel Universe. The relationship had its rocky moments, as all do and those in comic books have even more. But they did stay together, at least until the series ended. I’m waiting to see if they come back again.

I know there are other couples in comics, but these are my favorites (and I can’t afford to read everything out there!) Who are your favorites?

Since the government shutdown, many national parks are closed. Perhaps the federal government should follow the example of universities and cities and start selling off the naming rights to the national parks and landmarks to keep them funded and open. Here are some suggestions:

The Statue of Liberty Mutual

The Lincoln Navigator Memorial

The Hoover Upright Dam

The Washington Post Monument

Rocky: The Undisputed Collection (contains I-V!!!!) Mountain National Park

Cumberland Gap Jeans Historical National Park

The Grand Theft Auto Canyon

Great Kahn’s Big Red Smokeys National Park

Gateway Computers Arch (The official name for the St. Louis Arch)

The GMC Denali Pick Up Truck National Park

I was going to suggest Viagra Falls, but technically that’s a State Park and I don’t think Viagra wants to be followed by the word “falls.”

What are your suggestions?

Oct. 13.

My geek week TV watching review:

Sleepy Hollow: Ichabod still hasn’t changed clothes. Apparently, wearing old coats and leather boots that smell like they have been buried for 250 years is a way to fight evil. And who knew King Solomon spoke German?

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: I’m still enjoying this one the most. I like having more clues that Agent Coulson is probably a Life Model Decoy. Besides previous clues, we get the idea that he has no muscle memory. For those unfamiliar with LMDs, it’s a very sophisticated artificial life form from the comics series. Frequently, LMDs are often unaware they are LMD’s. Tony Stark mentioned one in the Avengers. And we got the creation of Graviton. That will be fun when he comes back as the villain.

American Horror Story: The Coven: Good to see the cast back along with familiar faces from season one and new faces like Kathy Bates. Her character is horrifying in that she is human and still capable of atrocities. The witch angle may or may not get cheesy. The idea of the council and the Supreme seemed a little hokey and the one gift reminded me more of Charmed. I did like the living voodoo doll though.  

Once Upon in Time in Wonderland: Or Once Upon a Time in recycled story lines geared to sell more merchandise. Sorry for  those of you who liked it, but I thought the mash up of Alice and Aladdin was just too much. I didn’t care for the production values, especially the rabbit and the Cheshire Cat. The Knave of Hearts was interesting and I did like the kick-ass Alice. But the genie bit was too much. He was too human except for being able to grant wishes. He has lived for hundreds of years in a bottle and has magical abilities, but can be knocked off a cliff to his doom? He’s a genie!!!! Doubt I will be tuning in again for this one.

What do you think of the new fantasy/sf shows on this season?

Oct. 6, 2013

Okay, so I’m a little late with this one. I had deadlines at work last weekend. Anyway, I thought I would return to Sleep Hollow and give my thoughts on the first two weeks of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Sleepy Hollow continues to intrigue and frustrate me. I like the use of legend in the story this past week. It was an interesting take on the Sandman. I am however getting tired of Ichabod repeating the same passage over and over again to his partner about how they are witnesses, seven years, blah, blah, blah.  I’m not sure I am buying that the Revolutionary War was really a war to stop the Four Horsemen from rising.  But there are other holes as well. No one in 250 years discovered the tunnels under the town, especially since one end was only covered by a grate?? No one has thought to buy Ichabod a new set of clothes since he awoke?? And why would the Mohawks create a ritual with a scorpion when there are no known dangerous scorpion species in the state of NY? I know, I’m being picky. I read that the show has been renewed, though I can’t say I will keep watching. I gave up on Supernatural in season 2 or 3 and its still going. Sleepy Hollow might be the same.

Now Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. I like. It’s not perfect, but I do enjoy it. I like that it starts with the assumption that viewers have seen the Avengers and Iron Man 3. I like the return of Agent Coulson from Tahiti, that magical place. I look forward to finding out if he is a Life Model Decoy or not. The first episode established the team and some story arc questions (like what happened to Agent Coulson, what happened to May, who is Ward’s family, what does the Rising Tide want). The second episode showed the “bonding” as a team. Pretty standard stuff. Now I’m ready for a few more answers and to move forward with the team. I did like how the second episode provides a rationale for why the team is young and good looking (besides the fact that this is a TV reality) in that Agent Coulson may be having a midlife crisis.

I am also looking forward to American Horror Story: The Coven this week. Have a good week all!

Sept. 22

I was going to review new shows that were on this week, but the only one that I wanted to watch was Sleepy Hollow. In general, I found it watchable and entertaining and I will give it a few more chances to see where it goes. Right now though, I think it has already started plotlines that aren’t going to be sustainable, especially for the ambitious 7 years of tribulation mentioned in the episode.

First of all, the Headless Horseman is Death, one of the four riders of the Apocalypse? How are they going to be able to sustain that one? Death cannot be defeated nor destroyed. Nor should it be. While some might long for immortality, the idea of no Death is horrifying. The ramifications are too many to list. But just think about a world filled with insects, animals, and people that never die.  Sometimes, as trite as it sounds, death is a blessing.

Since Death can’t be beaten, how do you fight It? Well, if you’re the shows writers you make him vulnerable to sunlight. Excuse me? Death is a vampire? Or at least a pre-Twilight vampire? People die during the day. That part just seemed too totally contrived to be able to last long.

I also had a problem with the good and evil covens in Sleepy Hollow. Again, a little too trite and too contrived. For one thing, while the idea of the Apocalypse is scary, some look forward to the end times and they are not evil. Is Revelations an evil document? And no one noticed that the town priest has been the same old man for 250 years? The people of Sleepy Hollow aren’t too bright, are they?

Then there is Ichabod. He seems to be handling things pretty well since he finds himself 250 years in the future, finds out his wife was a witch, and discovers that he is going to be battling evil for the next seven years. I’m sure we will be treated to more humorous bits of his adjustment to the future, like playing with electric windows, while ignoring the bigger issues that such time travel would entail.

Overall, it seems like the show is going to be part Supernatural and part Buffy. After all, it seems Sleepy Hollow has a Hellmouth. Perhaps it will do as well as both of those shows.

I hope I will find Agents of Shield better.