Alex’s Comments (group member since Jul 02, 2014)

Alex’s comments from the The Masks and More Book Club group.

Haha fair enough! Well, as I mentioned on Twitter his appearance here tied in with (view spoiler)[his death arc, so he won't be appearing in much for a while! (hide spoiler)] Definitely agree it's time for some new blood.

So, I did promise a write-up... But you pretty much covered everything in the hangout.

Obviously, I love the diversity of a Muslim girl being the main character. Especially in the context of the world atm, that kind of representation is really important. Also, the fact you get to see her every day, family life and dealing with her faith in that sort of setting, which I think a lot of non-muslims don't see a lot. We just see the extremists or have vague idea of what it's all about without any understanding of a normal home-life. (BTW, did you see someone using Kamala to counter racist bus ads in San Fran the other day? http://www.themarysue.com/san-francis... Proof that comics - and diverse comics at that - are important and can have real positive IRL effects)

In terms of her story, I also saw immediate parallels to Spider-man/Peter Parker; being a kid who suddenly wakes up with powers and has to learn to control and understand them. Also, learning how to make use of them and deciding to help others. The wrestling with doing what you know is right, but having to protect your family - creating an alter-ego to separate the 2 parts of your life. The costume bit was the clearest similarity between the 2.
Even Dan Slott (current writer of Amazing Spider-man) sees the comparison!

"[Ms. Marvel is] the closest thing to down-to-the-core Spider-Man. She's a teenage superhero, juggling her life, making mistakes, trying to do everything right."

(source via Wiki)

I really like hearing Kamala's inner monologue. It gives the reader a more immediate understanding of her thoughts and feelings. It allows us to experience the same emotions as she does and really helps us see her growing into her powers (no pun intended).
It also give the book a level beyond all the punching and kicking bad-guy butt; which (not to be condescending) gives a bit more appeal to readers outside the alpha-bro demographic. That's a good thing IMO, BTW. I love action and fighting as much as the next guy, but at some point you reach saturation of ripped, white dudes in lycra and capes and want a little bit more substance. Uhoh my SJW is showing...

Seriously, if you enjoyed Vol.1 keep reading. It gets even better. Guest appearance from Wolverine. Her powers do get explained - sort of. And she keeps trying to protect her neighbourhood and friends without getting killed... or grounded.

Also, look out for Kamala in other books. She's crossed/crossing into the Spider-verse (prompting Dan Slott's comment) and she recently helped Phil Coulson save her school in S.H.I.E.L.D. #2 and I think she's going to be involved in the Black Vortex event coming up in a month or so.

Next step - get her in a movie!

I watched the first couple of eps, but then got side-tracked - got the rest available and will catch up at some point.

It was interesting, maybe a bit slow for my liking - but they are world building, so give them the benefit of the doubt.

I thought it was going to be more Year One, and there were a couple of scenes in the 1st ep which had mirrors/parallels, but they seem to be going even further back than that - Bruce is still a kid and Gordon's a rookie(ish) cop. I was a bit confused because in the comic continuity Gordon starts outside Gotham and transfers in - and you get his views on the corruption as an outsider- but in the show he starts at the GCPD.

I've only read a tiny bit of Gotham Central, so can't really draw a real comparison. But it seems like GC is more about the rank and file guys rather than 'big' characters like Gordon & Bullock.

Jessie (Egglasses) is a huge Gotham fan so might be worth polling for opinion on the show.

Ah, see, I missed the Christopher Reeve movies (and was never drawn to go back and watch them) but I grew up with the Dean Cain/Teri Hatcher TV series, and a little bit of Smallville - yes, I know...

Then the new Superman movies kind of ruined it for everyone.

Dean Cain. And not because I went through a phase in my early teens where I looked like him, complete with mini-quiff.

Never been a big Supes fan - the character never really grabbed me - but I did enjoy the Adventures of Lois and Clark.

[edit for mobile-caused typos]

So many thoughts! None of them coherent.

I'll have a think and maybe post some up later in the week.

Yes! Excellent choice. :)

I think I got this in the Image Humble Bundle... Haven't got round to it yet. Will dig it out.

Yes, I was asking about your personal lists. It's not meant to be scientific and definitely not representative of the community at large, just an interesting (imo) question.

They're definitely missing a trick not signing Katee. Especially as Carol has ties to both the Avengers and the GotG. Even if she doesn't get a solo movie should easily make an appearance somewhere in the MCU.

Heck yes! Give me my goddamn Widow solo movie already!! Or Captain Marvel. Or She-Hulk. Or even a GOOD Elektra. (I'm pretty sure DC are so far behind on the film front that the chances of them getting one out first is negligible).

That was my one slight problem with GotG, while it is a team movie with a girl on the team *gasp* it was still very much SWM-led... Also OT, look out for my full take on Guardians going up on Geekocracy tomorrow. ;)

I didn't expect anyone to discriminate based on these criteria, it was more of a gauge of a) the availability of diverse character books and b) the popularity of these.

Like I said, it's not scientific. The majority of people who follow Gail on social media and would be likely to respond to this question, PROBABLY already share her values/ideals/philosophy and thus the results are bound to be skewed.

My results only account for about 50% of my current book list. The rest being split about 30:20 team to male protag books.

I admit I tend to look for female-led books first, but obviously it's the story that brings me in and keeps me in before anything else.

I was really lucky that as I started reading comics a whole bunch of new female-led books were starting new runs (Harley - might be a bit obsessed with her, Black Widow, (new) Ms Marvel, Capt. Marvel, Tomb Raider) so I could get into those and then work out into the rest of the universe(s). This was a lot easier than jumping into the middle of a long run of more "popular" characters (Batman, Superman, Iron Man, etc.) It also made it easier gauge whether I liked a character enough to go back and pick up past books to learn more of their story - I got 2 BW trades. And this leads to finding writers/artists you like and want to read more of - beyond that one initial character - currently amassing Gail's back catalogue in trades (Batgirl, Birds of Prey, The Movement).

So, yeh, my point is... ummm... YAY! COMIC BOOKS.

Not to open a can of angry worms, but (the awesome) Gail Simone put out a quick straw poll last night about the diversity of characters in people's pull lists.

How many lead characters (in solo books where they are the title character - no team books) are:
- Female
- POC
- LGBTQ+

Not scientific but interesting to gauge general levels.

My count was 8 female, 2 POC and 0 (canon) LGBT.

What about you?

While we're on the subject, Aaron wrote a piece on diversity following the Thor/Cap change announcements. Go check it out.

I haven't read Nimona yet. It's so far along that trying to catch up is too daunting a task. I tried with Questionable Content.

Is there a good jumping on point, closer to the current episode?

Good run down of top 15 female Marvel characters atm. Most of them have their own books running right now, or they're coming soon.
http://kellysue.tumblr.com/post/93213...

Ms Marvel too. Representation yo!

I've been waiting for time/finances to open up before I jump onto Hawkeye.
I did got a free digital copy of issue 1 and liked it, so definitely want to continue it eventually.

Yes. Runaways.

Don't know if it's part of the MU but the new run of Black Widow is really good (collection of #1-5 was released last week or the week before).

Also Captain Marvel by Kelly Sue Deconnick. Latest arc also features the GotG.