Articles by alan-kistler
Thu Nov 5, 2009 — by Alan Kistler
Crazy Sexy Geeks: Celebrity Wonder Woman Debate!
What do celebrities think of Wonder Woman's wardrobe?
Super hero costumes are often criticized by fans and non-fans alike. In particular, the female costumes can sometimes seem a bit too revealing or impractical. Even Wonder Woman is occasionally given guff and there are those who say that if they ever made a new movie with her, her swimsuit-like battle armor would have to go.
So we of Crazy Sexy Geeks: The Series decided to ask people: Should Wonder Woman wear pants? Are the shorts or skirt too impractical?
Join us as we discuss and debate this issue with every day comic fans, professional artist Gene Ha (Top Ten, Global Frequency), fashion consultant Tim Gunn, actress Miracle Laurie (Dollhouse), actress/writer Emma Caulfield (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Contropussy.com), digital painter Alayna Lemmer, and the American Gladiators known as Phoenix and Venom. That's tons of pretty girls talking about the ultimate female super hero! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
Alan Kistler is an actor and freelance writer who has been recognized by Warner Bros. Pictures and major media outlets as a comic book historian. He is looking for a new day job, so if you're hiring you should absolutely get in touch with him.
Thu Oct 29, 2009 — by Alan Kistler
Crazy Sexy Geeks: Tim Gunn and Horror Films!
The latest two episodes of CSG: The Series!
It's Halloween time and that means I and co-host Graham Skipper are ready to debate the merits and drawing power of movie monsters such as Freddy Krueger, Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees, the Aliens and the Predators.
Last week, the CSG gang spoke with Tim Gunn about super-hero fashion and then attended the DC Comics/Bloomingdale's fashion show in NYC where they asked Batman and Catwoman how fashion techniques have influenced their costumes.
And if that isn't enough for you, all previous episodes of Crazy Sexy Geeks: The Series have been remastered with better audio quality! Enjoy!
Women Super Heroes with guest Amber Benson ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer")!
Remakes, Reboots and Sequels with guests Rob Zombie ("Halloween"), Edward James Olmos ("Battlestar Galactica") and novelist David Mack ("The Calling")!
Wed Oct 7, 2009 — by Alan Kistler
'Crazy Sexy Geeks' returns with Edward James Olmos, Rob Zombie, and David Alan Mack
The weekly web-series is back with all new episodes!
After a small hiatus, the geek talk series is back with a vengeance!
This week, hosts Alan Kistler and Carrie Wright talk with Halloween director Rob Zombie, Battlestar Galactica and Blade Runner actor Edward James Olmos and novelist David Mack, talking about remakes, reboots and sequels:
And if you want to see what else is in store for the series, check our cool trailer!
Every week, "Crazy Sexy Geeks: The Series" will discuss topics such as super-hero fashion, the best time travel stories, movie monsters, mythology in comics, gay characters in media, and what makes a good adaptation. You can find new episodes right here and on the YouTube channel "CrazySexyGeeksSeries."
Thu Sep 10, 2009 — by Alan Kistler
Crazy Sexy Geeks Mini Episode: Tim Gunn and Phil Jiminez on 'Models Inc.'
Here's a segment of an interview we conducted
with Tim Gunn during a signing he and writer/artist Phil Jimenez did at Midtown Comics last night for the new Marvel comic Models, Inc.
Coming soon: more interviews with Tim Gunn and Phil Jiminez, along with Rob Zombie, Edward James Olmos, Sheri Moon Zombie, Emma Caulfield and the American Gladiators!
Wed Aug 12, 2009 — by Alan Kistler
Crazy Sexy Geeks Celebrates 70 Years of Marvel
Spider-Man, Iron Man, Chris Claremont and Greg Pak all share some thoughts.
In the second episode of Crazy Sexy Geeks, our new weekly series meant for both die-hard fans and people new to comics, hosts Alan Kistler and Carrie Wright head to Barnes & Noble and then Midtown Comics for a two-pronged celebration.
It's been 70 years since Marvel Mystery Comics #1 came out in 1939, featuring the Sub-Mariner and the original android Human Torch. Since then, hundreds of heroes and villains have been brought to the world through the pages of Marvel comic books.
At a Q&A panel at Barnes & Noble, fans got to speak with Joe Quesada, Klaus Janson, Fred Van Lente, Greg Pak and Chris Claremont. The gang gave some advice on artists and writers trying to make a career out of their hobbies and also spoke about recent projects such as Magneto: Testament, X-Men Forever and attempts to create a new Avengers ongoing cartoon series.
The party then continued at Midtown Comics (Times Square location) where Iron Man and Spider-Man mingled with fans as they looked over the newly-released The Marvels Project #1.
Enough talk. Now watch!
Alan Kistler has been recognized by major media outlets as a comic book historian. Along with writing freelance for ComicMix.com and MTV.com, he hopes to one day write for DC, Marvel and Doctor Who. He also intends to time travel. His web-site can be found at: http://KistlerUniverse.com
Thu Aug 6, 2009 — by Alan Kistler
Crazy Sexy Geeks: A New Weekly Web-Series
A show to help initiate those who are clueless about comics!
So your parents loved Robert Downey, Jr. in Iron Man but don't think comics themselves have anything to offer? Your friends loved V for Vendetta and The Dark Knight and are curious to read comics now but aren't sure where to start? This is the show to help them all out.
Starring yours truly and New York actor Jose Ramos, "Crazy Sexy Geeks" is meant to help new people get into comics while also entertaining those already initiated. Each week we will discuss topics such as openly gay super-heroes, why there don't seem to be many women super-heroes outside of comics, whether remakes are better than sequels, and other fun topics that anyone with a smidgeon of pop culture knowledge can enjoy.
This is not your typical comic book video blog where two or three guys sit in a basement or at a friend's house and just review what came out this week. This is a show where we go out on the street, asking mainstream America what they think about super-heroes, sci-fi films, etc. Likewise, there are professional interviews with folks such as artist Jamal Igle (Supergirl), artist Chris Batista (The Last Days of Animal Man), novelist David Mack (Star Trek: Destiny
For our first episode, watch us chat with Amber Benson (Tara from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer") about female super-heroes, her new novel Death's Daughter
Ready? Great. Let's star the action!
ComicMix.com and Midtown Comics are not responsible nor necessarily share the views expressed on Crazy Sexy Geeks. If you love Twilight, get mad at Jose and Alan, not anyone else.
Alan Kistler is a freelance online journalist who has been recognized by media outlets as a comic book historian. His additional works can be found at http://KistlerUniverse.com.
Thu Jun 4, 2009 — by Alan Kistler
ComicMix Six: Batman Replacements
This week Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely have brought us the new Batman and Robin #1, featuring the brand new partnership of Dick Grayson as Batman and Damian Wayne as Robin.
But did you know this isn't the first time someone has stepped in as the Dark Knight or attempted to replace Bruce Wayne? Here is a list of six other blokes who have donned the famous cape and cowl.
SUPERMAN - Ever since the 1950s, there have been times where Superman and Batman have had to impersonate each other in order to protect their secret identities or to fool criminals. This also happened in the Batman/Superman animated series from the 90s in the episode "Knight Time". With Batman missing, Superman donned the cowl and surprised several Gotham criminals who concluded that the Dark Knight must have somehow gained supernatural powers.
Tue May 12, 2009 — by Alan Kistler
Star Trek Movie Annotations
Wanna know how the new film reflects previously established continuity?
The new Star Trek movie has been blowing people away, providing an introduction for new fans and an alternate time line that allows for even old fans to be surprised.
Every article and review has mentioned how time travel is being used to explain/justify this reboot, this new take on things where old rules are broken or, at least, revised. And yet, it is clear that the writers involved have an affection for what came before, making many references to the canon old school fans know and love.
Thus, we have put together this list of references and nods to other Trek stories. BE WARNED, SPOILERS ABOUND BELOW. If you have not yet seen the new Star Trek film, DO NOT continue reading so you can fully enjoy the story later for yourself.
And while, we're on the subject of Star Trek, for anyone interested: Today, May 12 at the Paley Center in New York (formerly the Museum of Television and Radio), I will be part of a panel that is meeting to discuss how different leaders in sci-fi drama compare to James T. Kirk. There will be a discussion with the audience and trivia questions as well, so feel free to attend. The panel begins at 6:30, but if you come at 5 pm, there will be a big-screen viewing of the original Star Trek pilot "The Cage" featuring Captain Pike and a younger Spock. More information can be found at this link.
And now, your list of continuity references.
Sat May 9, 2009 — by Alan Kistler
ComicMix Six: Original Star Trek Backstory
Six episodes that revealed the pasts of the Enterprise crew.
The new Star Trek movie is in theaters, introducing the characters to new fans and surprising old fans. As anyone who's read a single review, interview or promotional piece is aware of, this movie features some alterations to Trek's past thanks to a little time travel manipulation.
But what about the original past and backstory? What did the original series establish when it went on the air?
Here then are a list of six stories from the television series that filled us in on just who these folks were before they joined the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701.
Continue reading ComicMix Six: Original Star Trek Backstory ›
Fri May 1, 2009 — by Alan Kistler
The Many Origins of Wolverine
Alternative backstories for Marvel's most famous mutant
If you've read ORIGIN: The Story of Wolverine, Weapon X and various issues of his own title and the X-Men books, then you know the basic background of the mysterious mutant called Logan and the secrets behind who he was in the past. It took many years to piece together, but we finally learned the truth.
Basically, Wolverine was born James Howlett, later taking on the name Logan after discovering he was a mutant with heightened senses, advanced healing, a connection to animals, and bone claws that could extend from his hand.
Logan traveled the world, becoming a samurai at heart, later becoming involved in the Weapon X project, working alongside his old enemy Victor Creed AKA Sabretooth, a mutant who had similar abilities but none of Logan's compassion. Weapon X eventually attempted to turn him into a bio-weapon, burying most of his memoies, implanting false ones, and lacing his skeleton and bone claws with the unbreakable metal adamantium. After escaping Weapon X, he worked for the government for a few years before finally joining the X-Men. Since then, he has become a true hero, discovering his whole past in recent years.
But this story was not intended from the beginning. There were a few other proposed ideas for Wolverine that were discarded. There were ideas hinted at but later disproved or simply never followed up on.
Want to hear more? Read on.
Wed Apr 29, 2009 — by Alan Kistler
Stories That Inspired 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine'
Classic comics that inspired the new movie.
So you're excited for the new movie X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
You're thinking, man, I can't wait to see the full-out origin of the Canucklehead himself, the guy who is the best he is at what he does even if what he does isn't very nice. Now, at least, you can see for yourself the truth behind the project that gave Wolvie his adamantium-laced skeleton, the famous Weapon X Program. And along the way, you get to meet fun guys such as Remy LeBeau (the card-wielding mutant called Gambit) and Wade Wilson, the "merc with a mouth" who calls himself Deadpool.
And yet, we all know films take liberties with the comics they are based on. Many of you are wondering what comic book stories this is lifting from and where you can find those same tales so that you can properly judge the adaptation.
Well, look no further, folks. Here is a small list of stories that are being used as the basis for the new movie. Enjoy!
Continue reading Stories That Inspired 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine' ›
Thu Feb 26, 2009 — by Alan Kistler
Advance Review: Brave and the Bold Season Finale
Can you say "multiverse"?
If you are insistent that Batman always be portrayed as a dark, obsessive vigilante surrounded by nothing but psychopaths, then maybe the new cartoon series Batman: The Brave and the Bold isn't your cup of tea. But I challenge you to watch an episode and tell me it doesn't make you grin from ear to ear.
The new cartoon series has been loads of fun with over-the-top adventures that completely embrace their own absurdity. For those of us tired of never-ending angst, this series has been a great cure-all. And in the tradition of the comic book series of the same name, the show is based around team-ups. Each episode, the Dark Knight works alongside folks such as the Green Arrow, Aquaman, Elongated Man, Plastic Man, the Atom (Dr.Choi), Red Tornado and the Blue Beetle (both Ted Kord AND Jamie Reyes).
This friday, 8:00 PM on Cartoon Newtork, fans will see part 1 of the two-part season finale. We here at ComicMix were given an advanced peek at this hour-long tale. Wanna see?
Continue reading Advance Review: Brave and the Bold Season Finale ›
Sun Feb 8, 2009 — by Alan Kistler
X-Men Forever: What was the Marvel Universe like in 1991?
A trip back in time to prep you for Claremont's new X-Book.
In light of the annoucement of X-Men Forever and Chris Claremont's intention to continue exactly where X-Men #3 left off in 1991, we thought it would be a good idea to remind ourselves what the state of the Marvel Universe was in 1991-- before Stamford, the Super-Hero Registration Act, and Skrulls. Here's all you need to know:
X-MEN:
Charles Xavier is adjusting to having lost the use of his legs again recently. The X-Men have recently reformed into two teams, with Cyclops leading the blue strike force and Storm leading the gold strike force. Gambit has just joined and is still a mystery to the others.
During the gold strike force’s latest mission, they investigated the recent death of the Hellions and have recruited the time-traveling Bishop. At this time, Bishop is still unaware who the “X-traitor” will turn out to be. Much of the world still thinks the X-Men are dead and it’s possible they are still invisible to technology (due to a spell cast by Roma).
During their latest mission, the blue strike force met the newly formed Acolytes and witnessed the apparent death of Magneto (at the hands of his Acolyte Cortez) on Asteroid M, which has just been destroyed.
X-FORCE:
Cable is still leading this team, which has only recently formed, and at this point in time all we know about the white-haired mutant is that he and Stryfe are identical to each other and that he apparently did some military missions in ‘Nam where he met Chord of the New Warriors. He also has an unclear history with Wolverine. G.W. Bridge of SHIELD is investigating Cable since he believes that Cable is also running Stryfe’s organization the Mutant Liberation Front.
As of yet, there has been no revelations about Cannonball being an “Ex-Ternal” and there has been no revelation that Domino is actually Copycat while the real Domino is a captive of Mr. Tolliver.
X-FACTOR:
X-Factor has just replaced “Freedom Force” as the government’s mutant counter-terrorist team. Havok is in charge and is very green as a leader, still concerned about living up to his brother’s example. Wolfsbane cannot really turn to human form at this point, stuck between her half-lupine form and full lupine form.
EXCALIBUR:
The London based team still includes Nightcrawler and Kitty Pryde in its ranks. At this point, half the team’s adventures seem to involve parallel realities and alternate timelines. Lockheed the Dragon has recently been revealed to be a sentient member of a telepathic race (though only we readers know that) and is recovering from injuries. At this point in time, Nightcrawler and Kitty Pryde have not seen their X-Men teammates since the events of the team’s apparent death.
WOLVERINE:
Wolverine is still wearing the brown and tan uniform. In his own series, as 1991 closes, Wolverine has only just discovered the Weapon X facility and realized that some of his memories are false implants based loosely on real memories. He also now has the first inkling that he and Sabretooth are not related but perhaps used to work together for some kind of government unit. He has not yet learned about Team X, the group he was part of with John Wraith and Maverick.
AND NOW, THE REST OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE...
Continue reading X-Men Forever: What was the Marvel Universe like in 1991? ›
Wed Oct 29, 2008 — by Alan Kistler
Review: 'Captain Action' #1
The next generation of an old hero begins here.
I know way too much about comics. Far more than is healthy. But there are, understandably, a few characters here and there that I either know very little about, either because I never really came across them or I did but found them terribly uninteresting and so dismissed them, soon forgetting what I had learned.
Captain Action happens to be such a character. I remembered he first appeared in the 1960s, wore a costume that resembled a futuristic police officer's with a chest symbol that reminded me to recycle, and was based on an action figure. And that was it. I remembered nothing else. So when I was asked to review the first issue of the new Captain Action series, on sale today, I thought "Perfect. I can truly look at this as a first-time fan and objectively judge if this would be interesting to someone who has no previous knowledge of the character."
I read it and found it to be a strange mix of too much information at once and not enough.
We begin with a Superman-like character called Savior. His narration explains who he is and reveals that he secretly blew up a place called A.C.T.I.O.N. Directorate. On page two, we find out that half of what we just read is a lie. This is not Savior, but a person disguised as Savior. This is our hero, Captain Action, who crashes into a statue of his father and proceeds to unleash a massive information dump on the readers in a very awkward monologue.
Apparently, there was once a hero called Captain Action (the original guy from the 1960s). The shape-shifter we've just met is his son, the new Captain Action, who has the ability to look like other people and copy their abilities, but only for a short time. Exactly how long he can disguise himself and how long afterward he has to wait before he mimics someone again is not made clear.
The new Captain Action wanted nothing to do with the life of a super-hero, despite his powers, but now feels forced to act since his father was killed by a group of super-heroes that an organization called A.C.T.I.O.N. had "created" to defend the Earth. What "created" means is not fully explained. The new Captain Action informs us that these heroes, Savior included, were somehow turned into sleeper agents, thus why they went rogue later. Exactly how they became sleeper agents is not explained, though a group called Red Crawl is blamed. Apparently, Red Crawl was defeated long ago and everyone believed they were dead, except for the original Captain Action. Now they're back and causing trouble.
Sun Oct 26, 2008 — by Alan Kistler
ComicMix Six: Coolest Darkseid Moments
'Final Crisis' isn't the villain's only claim to fame.
The first sentient race of the DC Universe eventually became nearly-immortal beings of celestial energy, beings now known
as the Old Gods. Eventually, there came a time when the Old Gods died and their planet, the "Third World", was destroyed. After many ages, the remnants of this world formed into two new planets, collectively called the "Fourth World." There was the peaceful and beautiful New Genesis, watched over by Izaya the Highfather, and the dark, desolate world of Apokolips, where lived the dark prince Uxas.
Uxas started a life of evil early on. When his brother Drax attempted to master a cosmic energy known as the Omega Force, Uxas decided he wanted the power for himself. In one fell swoop, he disrupted Drax's plans, becoming master of the Omega Force and leaving his brother for dead. With his new power, Uxas renamed himself Darkseid the Destroyer. Later, he killed his own mother Queen Heggra, partly in revenge for the fact that she had killed the woman he'd loved, and assumed leadership of Apokolips.
Bent on universal domination and motivated by his quest for the Anti-Life Equation, a mathematical formula that proves life is hopeless and can rob any life form of their free will, Darkseid has made many enemies, including the heroes Lightray and Mr. Miracle and his own son Orion, the "dog of war." Darkseid's attentions later turned towards the planet Earth when he became convinced that human beings held different parts of the Anti-Life Equation hidden in their minds. This brought him into conflict with many super-heroes as well.
Until recently in Final Crisis, he was never successful in conquering Earth, true. But that didn't mean he never got the better of a hero ever before.
Here then are six moments where Darkseid got to laugh at the failure of his enemies and his own dark power.
