A Shameful Truth:

Okay. I have a confession to make.

I don't like Spider-Man. (It IS supposed to be hyphenated, right?)

I can't really explain why. I usually like under-dog characters and everymen. But something about Spider-Man rubs me the wrong way and I can't put my finger on why.

I know he's popular though, so I have a request. Any Spider-Man fans I have here reading my blog, please tell me why you like him! I'm hoping a new perspective will change my mind! :-)

Another Character I Don't Get...

You know what character I really really don't get? Jericho. I sincerely do not understand this character or what makes him appealing.

I'll be honest, the only experience I have with the character is during the first arc of the new Teen Titans series and the current issues. I remember seeing him in the background of the few early Titans issues I've actually read, but that's not really enough to truly get the character.

I know Jericho's related to Deathstroke and that he can't talk and he does some sort of possessing thing...(which I think is actually a pretty clever use of codename/powers), but that's about it. I do know of quite a few people who are very fond of the character though, so I'm curious about him.

If you guys know any good stories that really highlight Jericho and what makes him tick, please let me know!

Darn You Marv Wolfman! Darn Yooooou!

So, I buy Nightwing on a whim. Because last month's was relatively tolerable and I even occasionally picked up issues during the Jones and Grayson runs, just so I could remind myself of my virile and irrational hatred of the character.

And what do I find?

A Dick that's on the phone with Alfred. A Dick that's not a solitary angst-boy and is at least keeping communication with a supportive familial figure.

A Dick that has an ally doing tech work for him. An ally he seems to be protectively fraternal toward.

A Dick that helps some kid in a gym improve his acrobatic work, showing him how it's done and giving pointers in an easy-going and friendly manner.

A Dick that can have a conversation with a woman that doesn't immediately devolve into a mooning, teenage crush on him, reference to unbearable sexual tension, or falling immediately into bed. I mean sure, she's probably an eventual love interest. But they're not having sex yet!

A Dick that has exactly two panels of reflected angst over the death of his parents in the course of the book. No "OMG, I FAILED" or "Batman doesn't love me!" in sight.

A Dick that has a sense of humor that is wry and wisecracky without going overboard.

A Dick that is able to use his general empathy and approachability to gently question a grieving widow and gain her cooperation.

A Dick that, thanks to Jurgens, manages to look both attractive and a little goofy (horrible hair works for him) which goes a long way in divorcing him from the over-angsty pretty boy and returns to him the proper dork-tastic charm.

In short, while the plot is still nothing special, Wolfman has delivered on a Dick Grayson that finally feels like a grown-up version of Robin again.

He's delivered a Dick Grayson I actually LIKE.

I feel my life sustaining (or at least blog entry-sustaining) hatred of Dick Grayson ebbing...

DARN YOU WOLFMAN! DARN YOU!

(I still think your name is awesome though.)

A Character I Don't Get...Deadpool...

Okay, I hate to admit this. Seriously. Because it seems like everyone but me really likes this guy and I have the distinct feeling I'm missing what makes him so cool.

But...

Deadpool. Wade Wilson. Whatever. I simply do not get this character.

I don't HATE him and there are times in his comic that I do find myself giggling, but in general, I'm completely apathetic towards him. I have no emotional attachment, and while good jokes can make up for that, I'd quickly begun finding the humor repetitive and tiresome.

Maybe I'm just reading the wrong comic or I've missed that one must-read comic that even the worst character has that finally makes them click. I don't know, but I'm definitely missing something here.

Anyway, can any Marvel fan help me out here? Am I the only one to not care for Deadpool? Can any of you help me appreciate this character?

I do like the yellow speech balloons.