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Archive for the ‘Star Wars Books’ Category

Outlands: Lives of Dirt An angelic blue sky hovered high above with puffy white clouds roaming its endless vista. Below, a serene rolling landscape of blown over grass rustled silently in a cool breeze. The vibrant greens literally stabbed the eye with their color. A boy of about nine or ten swept away a lock [...]
Star Wars Book Report

I don’t know why I was surprised when James Luceno’s Darth Plagueis failed to blow my mind. I bought the book on the release date, but didn’t start it until last Monday – mainly because I knew I’d have to recap the Luceno Facebook chat on Wednesday and I didn’t want to be spoiled for [...]
Club Jade

It was before the release of Star Wars Episode III, when I heard George Lucas reveal that he was going to put together a movie about the Tuskeegee Airmen. I remember being very excited about this movie much more so then watching Episode III. Whenever someone would negatively criticize Lucas, I made it a point to bring up the mythical production of a mainstream movie about the Tuskeegee Airmen. Being a historian, World War II has become one of my favorite eras to cover with the contributions by African American pilots and tank crews, Chinese partisans, and Russian female fighter pilots being my favorite parts. So when I saw the preview to “Red Tails,” I have to admit that I had a large emotional investment in the project.

American pop culture in general has been very nostalgic when it comes to doing movies or stories about WWII. That war is considered “the just war.” It is sacred ground. Anything about segregation, Japanese internment camps, and the dropping of bombs on civilians (Dresden stands out the most) is never to be discussed. The last movie that dealt with segregation in the US military during WWII was HBO’s Tuskeegee Airmen in which Lucas took many cues from. With a smaller budget but stellar cast, HBO produced a wonderful piece. Lucas employed probably one of the best satirical writers in Hollywood today: Aaron McGruder and John Ridley. The most critical approach to WWII was put together in comic book form by Robert Morales and Kyle Baker entitled “Truth: Red, White, and Black.” It’s release in 2003 was controversial in geekdom since the story implied that the U.S. military experimented on African American soldiers with the untested super soldier serum that later made Steve Rogers Captain America. We learn that the original Captain America, Isaiah Bradley, was secretly fighting Nazi’s while Rogers was doing parades and USO shows. Thankfully, Marvel Comics has kept Bradley’s story as canon. What was interesting in the latest movie adaptation of Captain America is Derek Luke’s role as Gabriel Jones one of the members of Howling Commandos. Luke’s Gabriel Jones was the renaissance man speaking several languages, able to operate almost every vehicle, out punch any Nazi, and even give a shout out to Howard University.

It’s important to note that McGruder on his popular Boondocks series on the Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim, wrote a story about the elder Freeman as a Tuskeegee Airman entitled “Wing Man.” It was probably one of the funniest episodes of that season. Ridley also penned a jingoistic period piece entitled “The American Way” for DC Comics about fake superheroes employed by the US government during the Civil Rights era to entertain the public. The black superhero of that story was called “The New American.” His power was being impervious to almost anything but the catch was that he would still feel the pain of the particular onslaught be it bullets or flamethrower. We see that same approach to the characters in Red Tails. Most of them are hard, gritty pilots who can match barbs with the best of them but understand that their presence in the Army Air Corps stands by a thread.

Unlike HBO’s story of the Fightin’ 99th, Red Tails lacks substance. If anything Ne Yo is annoying. There is someone named Joker (Elijah Kelley) but all the comic relief attempts were done by Ne Yo. Cuba Gooding, Jr. was restrained in his role as Major Emanuelle Stance. Although, he had few lines, Gooding did well playing the old pilot dropping jewels on his young fighter pilots. While I love Nate Parker, he did not sell his role as squadron leader Marty “Easy” Julian. The stand out performance was by new comer David Ayewolo who played Easy’s Wingman, Joe “Lightning” Little. Ayewolo carried the movie and one couldn’t help but root for him. Like any black and white movie produced in the 1950s about WWII pilots, Parker played the by the book squadron leader who has conflicts with the maverick pilot. Unfortunately, we didn’t see that chemistry played well between the two.

What I enjoyed the most about the movie is that it was about fighter pilots. Anyone who has worked around fighter pilots will tell you that they are a unique breed who want to see action. They disdain anything that grounds them. I know quite a few Colonels who are up for desk jobs who refuse to do this and want to remain fighter pilots until their heart stops. We see that conflict arise when Ray “Junior” Gannon (Tristan Wilds) is grounded by the flight surgeon. At one point Gannon laments that he would rather die than be grounded. This is how real fighter pilots think. Gannon, who insists on being addressed by his call name “Ray Gun,” is referred to as Junior because of his green ears. As he is shot down and taken prisoner by the Germans, we see his fellow POWs rely on him. When he escapes and returns to his unit, they immediately call him “Ray Gun.” There is even a Nazi villain. What’s a fun movie about WWII without it’s Nazi villain. The Tuskeegee Airmen even dub him “Pretty Boy.” I must admit that I jumped up when he was blown out of the sky.

Overall, the movie could use some work. The acting leaves much to be desired. The pacing is slow. The real struggle of the Tuskeegee Airmen was pretty much written out. Lucas admitted that there was so much to cover and let’s face it, the American audience disdains long history lessons. The movie is fun and the action is unparalleled. The dog fights are realistic and the costumes are spot on. I took my daughter to see this. Like my other children, she is familiar with the story of the Tuskeegee Airmen, Patton’s Panthers, and Russian women fighter pilots. Like her father, my daughter is a huge Star Wars fan and I wanted to share this moment with her. She found the movie to be fun and entertaining. I think that was the entire point. So this writer salutes Lucas and I hope his gamble pays off.

Comic Books for Colored Folks

Sunday TV has been sucking this season: I need GoT back. (Sorry, Once Upon A Time.) Is it April yet?
Club Jade

Setting: A natural tragedy has struck the former capital of Bothawui, Lktim. Time: A few months after the Caamas Document Affair. Characters: Luke, Han, Leia, Chewbacca, COS Borsk Fey’lya, Mara Jade This story is dedicated to the victims and survivors of Haiti.   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   Luke looked out at the picture of pain and misery [...]
Star Wars Book Report

“It is only the difference, Captain Solo, between beliefs and the facts,” the droid reported. “Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Han grumbled, leaning a shoulder against the central computer. He had made the mistake of asking what big important thing the golden See-Threepio and his more compact counterpart Artoo Detoo had been busy with aboard his ship. [...]
Star Wars Book Report

Written by Adam Glass & Mike Benson

I enjoy when artists re-imagine a particular character. Even as a child, I had my issues with Luke Cage. Under Brian Michael Bendis’s hand, however, Cage has been rehashed and remade. I enjoy it. They removed the stereotypical garb and he fights in regular civvies. He has been on the Avengers roster for awhile now. Honestly, he has become one of my favorite Marvel characters. This is a clear demonstration about how in comics it’s about great writing instead of dope powers and a great costume.

When I saw the Avengers Origins series, I assumed it was another Marvel attempt to cash in on the Avenger’s franchise. While Cage gets so much shine in several of the Avengers titles, I decided to pick it up. While Adam Glass doesn’t change much about the story: Luke Cage was a street thug with a big heart and gets framed. While in jail, he takes part in an experiment that gives him his steel like skin and super human strength. He escapes jail and decides to use his muscle for good. What Glass changes are his motivations.

Cage confronts the childhood friend who betrays him and earns justice. I did cringe when I notice that he was wearing the black tights with the yellow disco shirt. I think that’s where I have my issues. While I like Dalibor Talajic’s pencils, there are pages where the work gets muddled. One some pages you can tell he took his time and on others, the pencils look rushed. While the artwork needed more work, the writing is on point.

If you are wondering, it is something that you should pick up. While Luke Cage doesn’t have his own comic, he continues to be a major character in the Marvel Universe. It’s good to learn something more about his past.

Comic Books for Colored Folks

A Discourse “Peace is a lie, there is only passion. Through passion, I gain strength. Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken. The Force shall free me. This is my code, my creed.” “How can you say that? That is the Code of the Sith! You [...]
Star Wars Book Report

This is a spoiler conscious review of X-Wing: Iron Fist by Aaron Allston. If you have been following my articles and the podcast, then you know that I like great characters and if forced to choose, would choose great characters over a great plot any day.  Well, the strength of the Wraith Squadron novels, of [...]
Star Wars Book Report

Title: Alliance of Heroes Author: JediMara77/nancipants Timeframe: 0 BBY – 1 ABY Characters: L/M, H/L, Darth Vader, Emperor Palpatine, Wedge Antilles, Tycho Celchu Genre: Drama, Action, Romance Summary: After the Battle of Yavin, the Rebel Alliance struggles to maintain its forward momentum in its quest to bring freedom to the galaxy. Meanwhile, even the most [...]
Star Wars Book Report