Quickie fix to the last post.

*Forehead slap*
Forgot Krypton!
Just added it to the DC TV review list.
As number 2, bumping everything else down a notch.

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Ranking the DC-TV-verse so far (2018)

Previously-

• Ranking the MCU so far (2017)
• Ranking the Fox-X-Men-verse so far (2017)
• Ranking the DCEU so far (2017)
• Ranking Star Wars so far (2017)
• Ranking Batman so far (2017)
• Ranking the Marvel-TV-verse so far (2018)
• Ranking the Fox-Marvel-TV-verse so far (2018)
• Top 25 superhero films, period.

Same as with the Marvel-verse, DC either is getting, or has by now, their own streaming service, and their shows are about to multiply like bunnies, so now's as good a time as any....

1. Preacher

Second best comic book show in the universe behind "Legion", by this > < much.
Your mileage may vary, you might like "Preacher", better, but you'll certainly like one of these best in the world, and the other second.
Coin flip as to which order they'll go in for you
This leaves everything else on this list in the goddamned dust.
And that doesn't denigrate the others, but this is SO fucking good!

It's got everything.
All the essential vitamins.
Sex, gore, blasphemy, giving America the finger, and a junkie Scottish vampire.
How can you pass this up?
You can't, that's the answer.
Watch the goddamned show.
What are you watching that you think is better?
Fucking "This Is Us"?
Get your ass over to "Preacher".

2 . Krypton

It's live-action Aeon Flux in the DC universe.
A prequel about Superman's grandfather.
But, there's time travel shenanigans, and Adam Strange, Zod, and Brainiac show up.
Fucking awesome.
It's the best DC show no one seems to be watching.
Check it out.

3. Black Lightning

Y'know, I would have had this tied with "Luke Cage", for bold ballsy blackness....but after Luke season 2 kinda fell on its face..sss...yeah, Black Lightning wins.

All the racial issues that have been whipped back up by Trump?
They go there.
They go right fucking there.
Confederate statues, racist cops, profiling, brutality, gangs, the CIA putting drugs on the black streets, all of it.
It's "All In The Family", with superpowers.
I fucking love it.
I hope it's on a decade.

4. Flash

Now we get into what fans call "The Berlanti-verse",  or "The CW-verse".
"Black Lightning", is by Berlanti, and on CW, but they haven't integrated him in via the multiverse.
Yet.
I'm sure it will happen though.

This has consistently been the best of the 4 integrated shows for me.
And it's the most cheerily and proudly comic-book-iest superhero show I've ever seen.
Without being a parody of itself.
It's a silver-age comic book slapped up on the TV screen.
No apologies.
I love it.

5. Gotham

A lot of people are hard on this, and whine "there's no Batman, wahhh!".
Aw, shuddup.
You never had it so good, nerd-kind.

Needless to say, I really dig it.
Its got all the villains, its done well by them, especially The Riddler and The Penguin who were both a joke for awhile.
It's true to the world of Batman, even if you get no actual Batman.
Jim Gordon is Batman.
He's keeping the lighthouse lit until Bruce grows up.

Next year is the final season.
I'll miss it.
I'm sure they'll turn Bruce into proto-Batman at the very end.

6. Supergirl

My second favorite of "the Berlanti-verse".
Very true to the comics.
Just like Flash.
Studio suits that say this stuff "won't translate to the screen", well, you've got no argument now.
The characters, the bright costumes, the wacky powers, the wacky plots, the soap opera, it's all there, and it gets ratings.
Suck it, suits.
Give Berlanti control of the movies.

7. Legends Of Tomorrow

They struggled to find their way for awhile, but now they've realized they're the silliest one of the four, and have leaned into the silly.
Everything I said about Supergirl and Flash being shamelessly comic-booky?
Triple it for Legends.

8. Constantine

It was good, but it didn't last long at all.
BUT, he's been retroactively spliced into Berlanti-verse via an Arrow crossover, and next season, he's going to be a regular on Legends.
So, he's canon.
God, I wish he'd meet Swamp Thing.
He premiered in Swamp Thing comics.
They have to meet.
Have to.

9. Arrow

The one that started it all.
The "Iron Man", of the Berlanti-verse.

I....don't watch it.

I missed it when it started, and now I'm just too far behind.
I've been reliably informed by people I trust, that seasons 1-2 are great, season 3-4 are ass-crap.
Season 5 kinda turns it around, and season 6 kinda ruined it again.

Sooo...I haven't been missing a lot.
So I don't feel bad about putting it low on the list.
I do watch it sometimes.
Naturally, I watch it when it's a puzzle piece in a four-parter crossover.
And I watched the Constantine episode.
And The Vixen episode.
Y'know, ones like that.
But, I just haven't found the time or the will to catch up on it.
What I've seen of it I've liked, so I'll probably dig it.
There's just too goddamned many shows now.

10. I-Zombie

I liked what I saw of season 1.
I just couldn't keep up with it, and stay caught up with Berlanti-verse, AND Gotham, AND Agents Of Shield week to week.
The stupid networks traffic jammed 'em all together, and you had to make a Sophie's choice.
I-Zombie lost.
Sorry, I-Zombie.
I'll catch back up someday.

11. Powerless

Yep, this was a thing.
A sitcom about normal people who live in the DC universe.

The pilot was cringe-worthy, but I thought they were finding their groove at the end, and it could have gone somewhere.
Alas, it was cancelled.
It got really good when they added Green Inferno as a semi-regular.
Having a z-string superhero as their marketing mascot had potential.

But, alas, this failed, and that made Marvel gun-shy about their sitcom about Damage Control, and they pulled it from development.

Tch, dammit...
I hate how old-timey TV works.
No wonder everyone wants to go streaming.
Costs more than cable to get everything you want though.
It's gonna be a rough ride figuring this all this out as we go.


Aaanyhoo, that's all of those.
Well, not all.
I left out "Lucifer".
I just don't watch it.
Same problem as "I-Zombie".
So, I can't rate it on the list, but at least I'm acknowledging it.

But, minus "Lucifer", that's all the post-Arrow, post-superhero-renaissance DC shows.

Like I said up top, we're about to get way more though the DC streaming service.
Swamp Thing, Titans, Doom Patrol, Harley Quinn cartoon.
And that's just to start.

And Berlanti-verse is about to add Batwoman.
First, in a three part crossover (Legends gets left out for some reason), and then with her own spin-off.
I'm excited!
Bring it on!

Anyway, that's those.
I think I'm done for awhile.
But, I'll probably think of something eventually.
Stay tuned.


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Ranking the Fox-Marvel-TV-verse so far (2018)

Previously-

• Ranking the MCU so far (2017)
• Ranking the Fox-X-Men-verse so far (2017)
• Ranking the DCEU so far (2017)
• Ranking Star Wars so far (2017)
• Ranking Batman so far (2017)
• Ranking the Marvel-TV-verse so far (2018)
• Top 25 superhero films, period.

Forgot a couple, but they're FOX, so I would have split 'em off anyway.
Dunno what's gonna happen to these after the Disney merger.
Stuff like these, Deadpool 1 & 2, and Logan are gonna make me miss Fox.

1. Legion

The best thing Marvel's ever done, ever, ever, ever.
A fucking artistic masterpiece.
Better than anything on the MCU TV list, better than Hannibal,....maybe even better than Twin Peaks.
Yeah, this is really a kickass fucking show.
And I'm in total love with Aubrey Plaza thanks to her performance in this.
If you aren't watching it, you're just not good.
You need to remedy that shit.

Anyway, it's about the illegitimate son of Professor X who's so powerful, he can warp reality, and the whole first season was spent with him figuring out if he was just a drugged up crazy person having realistic hallucinations.
And....they never 100% resolve this.
Just when you think reality has solidified, they pull the rug out from under you again.
It's a mind-fuck.
But a gorgeous one.

2. The Gifted

Just finished up the first season on Spectrum streaming.

The best X-Men incarnation put to film thus far.
I mean, yes, Legion is a better show, but I mean in capturing what X-Men is about.
X-Men is about a disguised allegory to racial/sexual/ethnic/religious prejudice.
Plus, soap opera between the characters, and heel turns, and face turns.

Certain fans *cough*Comicbookgirl19*cough* complain the movies have dropped the ball on capturing the tone and message of the comics and the 90's cartoon, and they have a point.

And I've always thought X-Men needs to be a show, because you need it to be long-form to get in all that character development, and really get that social message stuff in, and drive it home.

Well, this is that show.
It's secondary, tertiary, and made-up characters instead of the famous characters, but this is X-Men.
This is it.
Fucking watch it.
*cough*Comicbookgirl19*cough*

The fascists on the right are getting way more bold in their bigotry against Mexicans, Muslims, gays, transgendered, and refugees of any kind, so this show is as timely as the 60's when X-Men was created.

If this list were blended with the MCU one, I'd say...a close tie with "Runaways", in overall quality, but ahead of "Runaways", by a smidge because of the social message.


And, that's those.

Next, DC.
Most of it, anyway.



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Ranking the Marvel-TV-verse so far (2018)

Previously-

• Ranking the MCU so far (2017)
• Ranking the Fox-X-Men-verse so far (2017)
• Ranking the DCEU so far (2017)
• Ranking Star Wars so far (2017)
• Ranking Batman so far (2017)
• Top 25 superhero films, period.

These keep coming out, so I can never keep up, but, there's enough now, that now is as good a time as any.
Disney just announced they're going to do spinoff shows on their streaming service for Loki and Scarlet Witch, and then after that, more obscure characters who probably will never have a standalone movie.
So, the shows are only going to multiply more voraciously after this.
Better just do this already...

1. Punisher season 1

Best so far, hands down.
My Punisher dreams are fulfilled.
And yet...season 2 is coming soon, so I'm getting more than my dreams!

2. Daredevil season 2

With Punisher!
I break the Netflix ones up by season, because their seasons feel like 13 hour movies with their own contained story arc.

3. Jessica Jones season 1

Daredevil 2, and Punisher are fucking epic, but y'know, I think she's my favorite Netflix character overall. I like the snarky girls.



4. Daredevil season 1

Still pretty damned good.
The one that started it off.
The "Iron Man", of the Netflix-verse.

5. Runaways

I've heard everyone rave about this, but I finally just caught up to it.
I held back, because I was worried about it having a "90210", vibe to it, but oh, man, you'll love these kids.
They're like a "Nightmare On Elm Street", cast in the best possible way.
Really, imagine "Dream Warriors", but their powers are real, and their Freddy is all of their parents.
Love the shit out of it
Can't wait for season 2.
They have the same news channel and reporter as the MCU and Shield, so its MCU connected.

6. Luke Cage season 1

Kind of runs out of gas on the second half, or else it would be up there in the top 3.
The first 6-7 episodes though are a fucking masterpiece.

7. Defenders 

Could've been glorious, but it had some wind taken out of its sails having to try to fix Iron Fist as a character.
Its still pretty damned good, and its great to have Jessica sneering and quipping at these other guys finally.
Sadly, Netflix has no plans to continue this. :-(

8. Jessica Jones season 2

Still love ya, baby, but this one was a step down from season 1.
Not bad, still enjoyable, I could watch 13 episodes of Jessica eating pancakes, but it just didn't have the perfect magic spark of last time.

9. Cloak & Dagger 

Its a really slow burn to get where its going, but when it finally gets there, it gets there.
Every other superhero origin story whether in a show, or a movie, gets the powers and the costume and the codename out of the way right up front.
Nope, they get their powers early, but they don't hero up until practically the end.
And Dagger still hasn't costumed up.
Her comics costume doesn't leave a lot to the imagination, I don't imagine the actress will ever want to wear it.
Anyway, it's a good show, and worth the wait for it to all come together.
Roxxon oil from the MCU is central to the plot, and they mention Tony Stark and Danny Rand, so its MCU-connected.
Speaking of Danny Rand...

10. Iron Fist season 2

MUCH better than season 1!
It's a fucking rebirth!
Yeah, I'm actually EXCITED for season 3!
Still not in the upper echelon though.

11. Luke Cage season 2

Sssss...yeeaahh, BIG step down from season 1.

12. Agent Carter

Season 1 was spectacular, season 2 dragged it right down.
Then they resolved the loose plot threads of season 2 with some throwaway lines in the Ghost Rider season of Shield.
A shame, the character (and actress) deserved so much better.

13. Agents Of Shield

If you ever get into this, know that it's going to be a slog.
The first season is very slow and dull, but it's all world building so you know the characters inside out before they start getting powers, or getting turned into robots, or clones, or any of the crazy shit later on.
Then, when they finally catch up to "Winter Soldier", on the movie timeline is where it really kicks in, and takes off.
Then...you still get slow seasons.
The one where they're trapped in VR by an evil female android takes for-fucking-ever.
And the one where they're trapped in a future where Earth is blown up drags for an eternity.
BUT, the one with Ghost Rider was fucking magnificent!!
Netflix level awesome!
I want a fucking Ghost Rider spinoff goddamit!
Aaanyhoo, its because it's so inconsistent that I have to put it low on the list.
Even though I'm a loyal viewer, and it holds my interest overall.

14. Iron Fist season 1

Some good stuff sprinkled in there, but overall, the boredom to get to the good parts will melt your brain, and you'll only remember the frustration.
Same showrunner as Inhumans.
Hey, speaking of...

15. Inhumans

Full review link in the title.
Worst thing Marvel ever did.
In modern times.
Man Thing still takes the prize for worst ever.


And, there we go!
All the MCU-adjacent shows ranked until the Disney-streaming-verse overwhelms me, and makes my head explode.
See you then!
Bring a poncho and a mop!


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Pop culture updates #10.

• Part 1. (Twin Peaks)
• Part 2. (Fangoria)
• Part 3. (GB phone game)
• Part 4. (Daria & Connors)
• Part 5. (Lando & Rachel)
• Part 6. (Comic-Con)
• Part 7. (Caligula)
• Part 8. (Picard series)
• Part 9. (No GB news til 2019)

Holy shit!!! After 7 goddamned years, I'd given up on this particular project!
It's.....

Scream, Queen: 
My Nightmare on Elm  Street (2019??)

Formerly "There Is No Jesse".

Here's the long and winding road with this one.
I scapbooked it the whole way.

• Original announcement of "There Is no Jesse" (2011)
• Some updates in my 29th anniversary review of the Nightmare franchise (2013)
• Some more updates (they secured a director, anyway) (2014)
• They allegedly finished shooting (WTF happened to that!?!?) (2015)
• The title changed to "Scream, Queen". (2015)
• They finished up, and just needed a Kickstarter for bonuses (2015)
• (Again, WTF happened to that!?!?) 
• They were still in editing (and I noted it took 2 years to edit "I Am Nancy") (2016)
• Big long announcement that they were still editing (2017)

So, here's the latest Facebook post from them.

Watching the latest #screamqueendoc edit with @markpattonnoes2 and fighting back tears as end credits roll. I think we have a winner on our hands. Who’s ready?!?

Holy shit!! Could it be?!?!?!
Could they...could they be DONE?!!?!
Could this really be happening?!?!?!?!

If it is, and I finally get to buy this thing, I'll do a big recap of all the documentaries I wanted, and finally got.
Cuz the Pet Sematary one is finally within reach.
And I picked away at a bunch of the other ones.
Another old-ass project I finally get to wrap up!!

Hooo-fucking-ray!!!!!



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I'm still here.

I haven't abandoned this place.
Never will, barring something bad happening.

It's just, for movie reviews, it's a long ass slow wait for the next couple superhero movies.
I miiiiiiiight check out the new Halloween.
I know I spat on that franchise previously, but the new one supposedly takes it back to what made the first one good, and critics are saying it's as good as the first.
Any time they bring back Jamie Lee, it's usually a good time.
Except Resurrection, where they killed her, but that doesn't count anymore.
If I see it, and like it, I might just collect all the Jamie Lee ones.
Minus Resurrection.
Plus 3.

Movie news has been a thin trickle.
At least of anything that would excite me enough to post.

I haven't been creatively inspired to do another big project like the 90's thing.
Been wracking my brain, and can't think of anything.
Eh, something will come to me.

All my creative energy has been going into my top secret story I want to publish for real.
Also, making preparations for the Harry/Jade-Shade combo book.
Bonus materials, and such.
Been chipping away at those.

Oh, shit, yeah, today's 9/11!
D'oh!

Anyway, yeah, checking in.


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