The Ultimates

After a long self imposed exile of sorts, here I am , having returned to continue riding on my self appointed high horse of criticism. Cue applause. Cut to smiling faces of audience members. No??

Okay, thats not really true you know. Its not like I criticize everything! What? Stop sniggering!

Anyway, long story short, I was busy with other things, namely my documentary film shoot and pre production for yet another short film. I make myself sound busier than James Cameron, dont I? To be honest, between reading comics, watching films, chatting with friends and my shoots, I really am not left with much time these days. In fact I hardly get to see 3 films in a week. Apalling , by my standards.


In the last one month the only comics I managed to read was part of the Batman Knightfall saga and The Ultimates. Batman Knightfall, if you are unaware is that infamous series where Batman was destroyed by Bane. Suffice to say, I have a soft spot for that series. You cant help but cheer when you see Bruce return.
Now for The Ultimates. It is the new millenium's re imagining of The Avengers. And let me tell you, it is shamelessly pro american- in a bad way. To the extent that the story sort of 'explains' Hiroshima and Nagasaki as the american effort to destroy an alien mind control program. That felt like grossly crossing a line. And somehow, all the geeks in this series are wife beaters, rapists. The scientists , the puny humans if I may say so, turn out to be the ones beating up wives, or attempting rape. Its always the muscle bound blonde poster boys that are honorable apparently. Oh and did I mention that its homophobic too? It had hulk being made fun of as a 'sissy boy' upon which he retaliates by screaming Hulk is Straight. I am wondering if I am the only person who reads so much into this. Am I? I honestly dont know. But one can see a clear packaging plan. This comics has been designed for the frat boys if I may say so. Or maybe its Marvel's attempt at keeping both sides happy - this is the same company that killed off Captain America a few months ago ( and if the rumour mills are correct, this time it is permanent-until the movie comes out!) stating that Captain America cannot live when we have an American President who is trying to justify a war that shouldnt have happened in the first place. The america our hero stood for is no more. Big words, for a death that probably wont matter 6 months down the line when Cap returns. Still , marvel's official statement says that the captain wont return until a change in the presidency and foreign policy. Thoughts?

I will try to upload a few photos from my shoot in a few days time. See you soon.