MAIL SHOOT

June 16, 2003

This is the place where we take a back-seat to you! That's right, we actually shut up long enough to give the readers a chance to speak out. So keep on e-mailing us with whatever's on your minds and you, too, can earn a chance at the anonymous "glory" that is seeing your name on a website. We promise not to mock you too mercilessly...

And now, as promised, we'll shut up and let you speak!

Comics 101 is in Session

Samantha writes: Though often hated (which is rightfully so) and quickly dismissed, I have always liked the Guy Gardner character. It was only in the final issues of "Guy Gardner: Warrior", did it seem that the character was finally getting a direction away from being mid-card hero. But a friend of mine told me that Guy died in the War of Worlds crossover last year. Do you know how and what issue? Any help would be greatly appreciated and I look forward to hearing back from you.

p.s. I love your article

p.p.s. "Guy Gardner: Warrior" didn't suck as bad as everyone wrote it off as. Issues 1-17 avoid at all costs though.

Tipton: I also thought the GUY GARDNER: WARRIOR series was pretty good toward the end of its run, and was sad to see it end. Beau Smith has a real knack for that character, and I'd like to see him get another shot at it sometime with some decent promotional support.

Yes, Guy Gardner did die in the WORLDS AT WAR crossover event last year, but he came back in ACTION COMICS #790 not long after, having tricked his way out of the afterlife, and is currently alive and well, though not currently appearing anywhere (although I wouldn't be surprised to see him in the upcoming FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE JUSTICE LEAGUE miniseries, which will reunite the 1980s JLI cast).

John in Chan writes: The first part is about the Alex Ross JSA painting in your first Multiple Earths column. Who is the guy on the right side of the painting between Black Canary and Hourman and below Starman? He is the only one I don't recognize. The second part is about the Red Tornado. What happened to him?

Tipton: The guy in the yellow and purple is Sandman, the founding member of the JSA who can be seen on the cover of ALL-STAR #3 in his original costume with the gasmask and fedora. When the trend in comics moved more towards superheroes and away from crime comics, the Sandman was retooled by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, given a bright yellow skintight costume, a more gimmicky grapple-hook gun to replace his gasgun, and like seemingly everyone else, a kid sidekick, Sandy the Golden Boy.

As for the Red Tornado, the one in the Alex Ross painting is the original, who only appeared with the team in a cameo in their very first issue; there are varying opinions on whether or not she (yes, that's a woman under the kettle she wore for a helmet) was really a member. The first Red Tornado was Ma Hunkel, a character from Sheldon Mayer's popular humor strip “Scribbly.” The second Red Tornado was the android character you're probably more familiar with, who first joined the JSA, then later made the jump to the JLA. That Red Tornado was most recently seen in the pages of the unfairly cancelled YOUNG JUSTICE. No word if anyone at DC currently has any plans for him.

Russell writes: Where's G'nort?? For the love of the lil' blue dudes, freakin' G'nort!!! He saved the planet from intergalactic redecoration by a big, gay Galactus knockoff! How can ya skip a bold and proud chapter in GL history like that?

Just kiddin'. Great column, and the best summary of GL history I've seen. Keep it up! My topic suggestion: a history of Power Girl's bosoms...

Tipton: You're the second person to complain about the lack of G'nort coverage, by the way. Not exactly a mandate from the people.

Your Power Girl suggestion is duly noted...

Jared Huckaby writes: Ever thought about tackling the mega-crossover event ARMAGEDDON 2001 from 1991 and its two subsequent mini-series? Not forgetting Extant's role in ZERO HOUR, of course...

Just a thought. Love the column.

Tipton: I liked ARMAGEDDON 2001 quite a bit, but was very put off by its switcheroo ending. You heard about that, right? Purportedly, the Monarch was supposed to be Captain Atom, but when the ending leaked out, they changed it to Hawk at the last minute. Never heard definite confirmation on that, but as written, the ending did feel forced, I recall.

JayJay2834 writes: I was wondering if you had plans to talk about the teen titans any time soon, since the new book and show is coming out, the better run of that book done by wolfmen was before I started reading comics, it was even before I probably started reading and by the time I was reading ,the book was already out of vogue. People have said that it challenged the x-men in the 80s, is that really true. there reprinting the terror of trigion at the end of the month is that any good. Are those issues worth going back for?

Tipton: Definitely will be exploring the Titans, closer to when the show premieres in mid-July.

To answer your question, yes, the Wolfman/Perez Titans comics are very good. I recommend picking up the reprints.

Jeremy Tom writes: I stopped reading the Uncanny X-Men and X-Men books after the wedding of Scott Summers and Jean Grey. For the most part, it was a good time to end on a high note, with the exception of an adamantium-free Wolverine. Recently, I've been picking up the Ultimate X-Men TPBs and have really enjoyed the fresh start the series has been given. I was wondering though if you could provide me a brief rundown or even a future column (for other X-fans) on a few things that happened to the X-teams?

1. The Onslaught series. What happened? Who was involved? Is there a TPB out there?

2. Supposedly, the White Queen, Emma Frost, "died" in Uncanny X-Men #281. That's why Jean was able to transfer her consciousness into that body, before the Sentinels killed her. But then I heard that Ms. Frost not only came back to life, but had taken over Xavier's Massachusetts Academy with Banshee. Which leads me to my next question.

3. The Massachusetts Academy. Who from the original X-teams are involved and what series details their exploits? Are they just a new generation of "The New Mutants"?

4. When and how did Wolverine get his adamantium back? Also, is Jubilee still his sidekick?

5. I heard that Psylocke bit the big one. Tell me this isn't true!

I know I'm asking for a lot of history and I really appreciate anything you can provide information on.

Tipton: Some quick answers:

The Onslaught story involved the combined consciousnesses of Xavier and Magneto creating a supremely powerful being, which required the sacrifice of the Avengers and Fantastic Four to put a stop to him. The story itself isn't bad, although it was pretty clearly a plot device to jettison the characters that were being turned over to Lee and Liefeld for HEROES REBORN. Trade paperbacks are now out of print.

Yes, Emma Frost is back these days, a member of the X-Men and a teacher at Xavier's School. The Massachusetts Academy is no more, and most of those characters are either dead or no longer actively used. Check Grant Morrison's current run on NEW X-MEN for what's been going on there.

Wolverine got the adamantium back at the hands of Apocalypse in WOLVERINE #145, while he was under Apocalypse's mental control. Jubilee is no longer hanging out with Logan, although she currently appears in UNCANNY X-MEN.

Yep, Psylocke is a goner, dead at the hands of a Spanish mutant criminal named Vargas in a pretty forgettable story.

Hope this helps.

Andrew Garda writes: Hey, love the column. Was a longtime comics reader who just lost interest in the mid-late nineties and while I haven't been sucked back in (although, finally reading K. Smith's DD run and this column have brought almost enough nostalgia for it to happen), it's been awesome revisiting characters I loved throughout my life. (Especially loved the Crisis and JSA/JLA stuff - but what about All-Star Squadron?)

Anyway, enough chitchat. I recently finished reading Dark Knight 2 (or DK2 as the book jackets say -- personally that sounds too much like perfume). Yes, I know it's been out for a long time. I bought the first two issues and, well.... underwhelmed might be a weak response to how I felt. Disappointed maybe. Crushed? I dunno if it's fair -- maybe I shouldn't have expected the wry social commentary of the first one. Maybe I shouldn't have expected it to live up to the first in terms of groundbreaking art and a fresh take on a character (or characters) who needed it. Maybe it wasn't fair to compare this one to the original Dark Knight Returns. But I did -- and this new(er) one -- it sucked. I couldn't even bring myself to buy the last issue, which is almost as bad as me waklking out of a movie. It was that bad.

Anyway, last weekend it was suggested by an acquaintance that I was missing the point. That Miller was being arch, that his entire point in this series was to send up the fanboy excitement over something so trivial. That it's very slipshod nature was supposed to represent a commentary on the ridiculously intricate plotlines in most comics today.

So I borrowed the last issue to see if I missed the point. God am I glad I didn't buy it. There was crap that happened BETWEEN issues that they had to recap in the last issue. And what they did with some of the characters -- the by-play between Green Arrow and the Question (I think that's who it was) -- that was funny. But Dick Grayson? That made less sense than all the bullshit between Superman and his daughter or even Batman and Supes. I just - I mean -- I can't- --

Am I on crack or was Miller?

I'm curious what your take on the series is -- and whether I'm missing something. Most of my friends don't think so, but there are a few, so.....

Anyway, love the column -- keep up the good work and if you can't get to Captain Carrot and his Amazing Zoo Crew, that's OK.

Tipton: I love the All-Star Squadron. Gonna take me a while, but I'll get to them. No promises on Captain Carrot, though...

As for DK2, I don't think Miller was intentionally generating poor work as commentary on today's comics scene. I think he has too much respect for his employers and readers to commit what would essentially be creative fraud. Just my opinion, based on a few very scant conversations with the man and many interviews I've read. In the interviews regarding DK2, Miller repeatedly stresses that he was looking to tell a larger-scale action piece with a huge cast of characters, and less a piece of social commentary like the original DARK KNIGHT.

Don't get me wrong; I think he failed pretty spectacularly. There are flashes of brilliance in some parts of the book, but the storytelling is atrocious. Some fairly significant plot points arise out of nowhere, and the Dick Grayson ending still makes no sense to me at all. I'm as mystified by it as you, but I still respect the man too much to think he's deliberately picking my pocket by turning in work he knows to be poor.

Porn Again

David Mills writes: I enjoyed your Adultcon column, though I wish *you'd* enjoyed the festivities more.

Ryall: Well, I got by okay...I just didn't want to sound, too, er, gushing, in the column in case the woman who birthed me read it.

Brought back memories of a couple of Computer Electronics Shows I covered during the late '80s, in my journalism days... where the pornographers inevitably had their own shadow convention, selling tapes, etc. I met Russ Meyer there, and copped one of the films that Roger Ebert co-wrote ("Beneath the Valley of the Ultravixens"). Also had my reporter's notebook autographed by one of my favorite porn stars of that period, Nina Hartley, later to co-star in "Boogie Nights," but renowned in her prime for her ample and gorgeous ass, as showcased in such productions as "The Adventures of Anal Annie and the Backdoor Housewives." Ahhh, the '80s...

Ryall: Other than the Z. Cavaricci pants, the `80s weren't too bad...

And speaking of gushing...

Mike Gusher (no lie) writes: As hard (no pun) as it was to pull myself away from those pictures the article was funny and, well, enlightening Speaking of those pictures who is the chick in the final picture in the black dress. I'd like to see more of her....literally.

John writes: Hah, nice editorial. I think your frame of mind hit my thoughts about the porn industry right on the spot. With the huge porn influx due to the internet, I'm starting to think that people are eventually going to get bored with it all. Then again maybe I have just been way too exposed to it since I hit college.

Susan Geissler writes: You write great articles every week, but ADULTCON is a classic. I don't want to know where you learned the phrase for making someone "airtight", but I was dying of laughter.

Ryall: I think I first heard that in church or something, but I can't quite recall.

Apple's iTunes

Jimmy Stuart writes: I know it's last week's column, but I figure if there are people out there who can still be beating the Family Guy drum for months (It's _not_ funny. Get over it.), I'm allowed to write in about iTunes a little late.

I'm a big music fan and a Mac user, and I've been using iTunes since the day it premiered. I love it. It's not perfect, but I think it's definitely the best thing out there right now. I'd like to address a couple of the letters about the iTunes Music Store (iTMS) that were in this week's Mail Shoot.

First of all, to the guy who was talking about 128-bit not being a high enough quality- the iTMS uses AAC files rather than mp3. AAC offers across the board better sound quality, and has been judged by the Cro-Magnons at Dolby Labs to be indistinguishable from the original audio source. Here's the link for full info on how AAC works: http://www.apple.com/mpeg4/aac/ The sound quality of a 128-bit AAC file is fully comparable to that of a 192-bit mp3. I have both on my computer, and I can't tell the difference when iTunes switches from one to the other.

Secondly, I've heard a lot of people say that they're concerned iTMS is going to kill the album as we know it. However, the figures that Apple released on Thursday show that 45% of all songs purchased have been purchased as a full album. People are being given the choice of purchasing single tracks and they're still opting to purchase entire albums. The album isn't going anywhere. In addition, every track purchased from the iTMS also includes cover art from the album (or in the case of exclusive tracks photos of the musician or band) that is displayed while the track is playing. There's even a third-party program that you can download that will display lyrics from the song in a separate window (pulled from Gracenote or a similar website) while the track is playing. So the album experience can be (at least partially) replicated right on your desktop, if that sort of thing is important to you.

Anyway, I look forward to seeing what PC users think of the service once it becomes available for them. I know there will be a small few who won't be able to get past their anti-Mac bias to even give it a shot, but I still think that most people will find the service as easy to use and enjoyable as I have. Not to mention iTunes itself is just a great way to organize and listen to music, even without the Music Store.

One last thing...Apple held a meeting with the heads of about 150 independent record labels on Thursday, in an attempt to woo them into joining the iTunes Music Store. The head of CDBaby put his notes from the meeting online, and they're definitely worth a look for anyone who's curious about the service. There's a TON of great info here:
http://www.gnutellanews.com/article/6830

The Film Not Taken

Some feedback on a proposed new column:

Eric Owens writes: I'd definitely like to see more pieces from Shane Hazen.

Pat Hillas writes: Interesting and enjoyable for an initial column. It's hard to make a concrete decision from just one article. Is his intention to be a mix of movie review and socail commentary, or another movie critic on the site? Either way, I'd read another installment.

Congratulations on your first year, and keep up the good work.

Tom Harrington writes: "It stinks!"

I find Shane's writing to be very dark and cynical. And that potty mouth? I say keep him. I'll read his articles, and since this site is apparently run exclusively for my benefit, we should consider the matter closed.

A better reason is this: Michael Dequina. That guy can write. I rank him among the best writers on your staff. His writing is so good, in fact, that he kind of softened me on 2 Fast 2 Furious. Shane brought me back from the precipice.

I need someone to think for me and articulate those thoughts well enough for me to recognize them as my own. I read that article and said, "That's me! That's what I think!"

"2 FAST is a male-bonding movie with lifeless camaraderie where epithets like “Brah” (“Bri”? “Bre”? “Bra”? How many variations did Tyrese call Paul Walker’s Brian character?) and a five-combination-handshake are all the character development we can hope for."

Oh, that's right. That's why I wouldn't watch this film. He seems to know that those are the kind of things that rub me the wrong way. Like that Duran, Duran song,The Reflex? There is a part in that song where they go, "Why-yai-yai-yai-yai don't you snooze pig." I'm not sure what they say exactly, but that why-yai-yai thing drives me shithouse. I want to hurt myself when I hear it.

So, I think you should probably keep him around. The thing is, how does he feel about FAMILY GUY?

Ryall: Ahh, from the peaks of leading with a quote from THE CRITIC to the deep, bottomless gorge of unfunniness that is FAMILY GUY all in one e-mail, huh? To answer your question, you don't have to have a college education to work here, but you DO have to have an abiding hatred for FAMILY GUY...

Raj Sheth writes: Just dropping you a line to let you know that I enjoyed the review Shane Hazen did at the link below. He sites the BMW film series in a 2 Fast 2 Furious film review. Classic.

James Kiehl writes: First off... good article. Like the style, and would certainly read more of them. This paricular piece turned on a dime and it looks like the part about the Kar-Wai was either tacked on or cut short, but hey, everyone's a critic.

Second, how about an article or series about the technical aspects of filmmaking. The mention in Film Not Taken about how the transition of shots from vehicle to vehicle is impossible without digital gimmickry (is that a fucking word?) made me think that opening up the curtain to let us non-filmmakers see through the smoke and mirriors might be very interesting. I'm talking about things like how a particular stunt is done, how elaborate shots are taken, what types of cameras there are to choose from, why it's cheaper to film a certain way as opposed to another, in relation to the narrative, that kind of thing.

Ryall: T'would indeed be a nice piece, so now I just need to find someone informed enough and willing to do it...

"Maniak1284" writes: Quite nice. I wouldn't mind seeing more.

Tom Armbruster writes: Following my rule of going to a new resturant at least twice before deciding if the kitchen had a bad day the first time, I would like to see more from Mr. Hazen. I'm intreuged to see where he will go next.

For the record, I didn't think the column was bad, but consistency is all.

The Bell Sounds for TITLE BOUT

Tina Speechley writes: I know I should probably be asking AK, but he's a little gruff to deal with. Well, at least that's my feeling. He wrote me once and was pleasant, but it just seems he has no patience these days.

Ryall: Well, it's been weeks since he landed on a good She-Hulk joke, so he's a little backed up. Luckily Marvel's new TROUBLE book should help him through this rough period.

So my question to you is....why is Title Bout leaving? Is it just AK that's leaving or will someone else, like Tipton, be taking over Title Bout. I've always liked having the list (even tho' it's been late...but ya know Kev is late all the time...).

Ryall: A.K. is too busy chasing ambulances to have time for the column any more (seriously, is the "ambulance chaser" lawyer analogy as dated and short-sighted as th comic fan living at home in his parents' basement? I think so). He just wanted to do a year and get out, and he's only a week or so away from accomplishing that.

Maybe AK mentioned it in a previous column, why he was leaving, but to be honest...most times I just read the list or the beginning of his column, then he starts to ramble and I skip down to the comics and his opinions on them. These I enjoy very much, because it's always entertaining.

Thanks for any insight. Love the site, as always, especially Comics 101. I've told him so a few times now.

Tim O'Neil writes: [Regarding the The 'Title Bout' format] AK is definitely in a class by himself and any attempt to fill his shoes or copy his format would be a obvious and b) stupid. Which is one reason why I am literally heartbroken that Title Bout is coming to an end... I actually just wrote him a long overdue note telling him how much I enjoy what he does. In all honesty, most online comics reviewers just don't have anything interesting to say to me... which is why AK was such a blast of fresh air. He's an authentically funny writer and that is so rare, not just in the comics world but in the world, period. He may have other reasons for wanting to end his run that I am not privy to but I would be seriously disappointed if he didn't end up doing something else comic related...

Ryall: Well, I imagine he'll still read some, anyway, but that's probably not what you mean...

Don't Make Comic Shop Guy Angry...You Wouldn't Like Comic Shop Guy When He's Angry

Travis Forshee writes about the news story of HULK bootlegs making the rounds: Unless the trailers that are currently running now stop on television included scenes before the "film's polished F/X", then the criticisms of the bootleg reviewers can hardly be ignored.

As for the anonymous poster who defended the film, I wouldn't be surprised if that certain someone was from Universal...come to think of it, it might not be a bad idea to hire a few more anonymous posters, in hopes of turning the tide at AICN.

Still, I think the CGI team would've been better off going for a lighter shade of green; that way, they could've made the flesh look less like Nerf foam. And the purple pants. Ugh. Much like spandex uniforms, the purple pants do not translate well to live action. And yeah, the jumping does look like he's flying.

And keep in mind, this is my opinion based on seeing the trailer run dozens of times, and not the movie; whether it's a downloaded bootleg or the possibly mythical "polished final version". All and all, I think Hollywood is using this oppurtunity to jump on the bandwagon with the recording industry to take potshots on file sharing.

Ryall: Well, I could see your point in criticizing the anonymous poster who defended the film....if you'd actually SEEN THE MOVIE YOURSELF. It's easy to think anything off of a 30-second trailer or a "Hulk like milk" ad but really, before coming down on it and his "shade of green" so hard, wouldn't it be best to wait and see the entire flick?

Weekly FAMILY GUY Bashing

Thomas Chandler writes: I'm amazed at the Family Guy support letters in the Mail Shoot, so I thought I'd tip the scales in the other direction. I watched it several times, and it never appealed to me. The jokes were mostly crude and unfunny. There was the occasional giggle, but nothing extraordinary. The most interesting character on the show was the baby in pursuit of world domination, but even that got old after a while.

To say that it is the peer of The Simpsons does the latter a horrible injustice. Its simply not as memorable or as funny. I don't understand the hold The Family Guy has on people.

I do however mourn the passing of Futurama. In many ways it did measure up to the standard set by The Simpsons. Unfortunately I don't think it had the same broad appeal. At least the fans of both shows have the DVDs to remember them by.

Grant Chastain writes: I'm assuming from your recent jag of Family Guy vitriol that you:

A) hate the show, and

Ryall: Yes.

B) somehow ended up with the Family Guy DVD set,

Ryall: No.

so I am here to propose a solution to you.

I will take this DVD set off your hands, provided - of course - that the DVDs themselves have a minimal amount of cheese remnants around the edges, and aren't warped from keeping your 40oz bottles from staining the coffee table. I would like to propose the following method of disc dissemination and disposal:

Send them to me, free of charge. I will provide them a good home, and more importantly, you may tell your children and grandchildren that you sent them "to the farm, so they can run and play with those of their kind."

Now, I am quite sure this DVD set was sent to you free-of-charge by Fox, but if it turns out you did indeed spend money on the discs, I am offering to recompense you for the amount in the following ways:

(1) unopened DVD of the Red Hot Chili Peppers performing "Californication";

(1) Austin Powers bobblehead doll;

Ryall: Just by this description alone, it sounds funnier than GOLDMEMBER was.

(1) bootleg DVD featuring the Buffy the Vampire Slayer musical episode, "Once More With Feeling," bought on eBay;

and (1) Jillians' game card, guaranteed to have as much as $1.75 on it, perhaps as much as $6.25.

Or, barring that, we can Rochambeau in a winner-take-all ball-busting extravaganza. I will leave the booking of the arena and ring-card girls to your team of crack journalists.

I eagerly await your acceptance of my offer. In the meantime, keep up the great work and don't bust on Family Guy too much. Seth MacFarlane is perhaps one of the classiest guys I've had opportunity to meet personally, and he did get a raw deal from the executives at Fox.

Ryall: Oh, I've heard interviews with Seth, and he sounds like a nice guy. But he could cure SARS (only if Matt Groening does first, actually) and I'd still take shots at his show. Have you read the hate mail and death threats and voodoo curses I've gotten just for saying I didn't like the cartoon? I never want that to stop. And if that means continuing to bash an unfunny, pandering, derivative show, well, I'm willing to do that.

Tom Harrington writes:

From our TV RECOMMENDATIONS: MACY GRAY CUSTOM CONCERT -- 10 PM, Oxygen
Internet fans voted which songs they wanted to hear on this show. That's right, we'd rather mention MACY GRAY shows than FAMILY GUY airings.

You just made some powerful enemies, Mister. And you can just go ahead and cancel my poop shoot subscription, too. Because I would'nt read your little piece of.....free site? There isn't a $50.00 weekly membership fee?

Ryall: Well, we do offer some exclusive FAMILY GUY vitriol to our paying subscribers.

Well, damn all! You can tell that Brian Lynch for me that he's made some powerful enemies, too. And I'll be wanting my money back. Every red penny. Heck, I suppose the $10 hourly web board fee is a hoodwink?

Shazam! You tell Singer to watch his back. Your whole organization is going down, and the Family Guys are pushin' the plunger. Yee-haw!

Ryall: Oh, they were pushing the plunger each week that show aired...

Todd Zastrow writes: Now, while I disagree with you on your opinion of "Family Guy" (I've mentioned this in a past correspondence), I'm finding it absolutely hilarious (probably even more funny than I a find the show itself) how you are responding to the fans who are so harsh on your opinion. The mail contributor known as JT expressed his belief that not liking the show meant that you don't have the ability to laugh. Wrong there, JT.

Ryall: I laughed hard at JT's e-mail, so he must be wrong...

While I do enjoy the show, I believe the main reason for anyone not to like the show is that it lacks a level of sophistication. And people who claim that "Family Guy" is funnier than "The Simpsons" lack any level of sophistication.

So, Chris, you go on slicing cheese with those copies of the DVD. I'll laugh my frickin' head off as JT and all his cronies get madder and madder.

Ryall: I tried slicing away, but the jokes on the DVD are cheesier even than the Camembert I was spreading on some crackers (hmmm...I'll have to work on this one. That wasn't the strongest response. But what the hell...if I just keep flinging anything out there, funny or not, I'll be more like FAMILY GUY myself).

The Good, the Bad & the Ignorant

In regards to Matt Singer's bi-weekly column called THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY, "Gscottvogel" writes: is it a western movie if it is i think it stunk no a fense i did not like it at all man get a better film

Ryall: I guess smoking bad weed is better than no weed at all, huh?

Forest of Dead Trees

Tom Armbruster writes: Do please keep Kendra Hibbert on the payroll. In adition to having the same name as a Vampire Slayer, I'm pleased at her ability to cut through to the chase on a book, as in not wasting any time letting us know Gene Simmons' book was a total waste of time. Keep up the good work.

Did I mention how much it rocks that I have yet to write a E-mail to anyone from the 'Shoot that hasn't been replied to? It's that personal touch that keeps me coming back.

Ryall: Damn, I hate being guilted into a reply...

Anyone Parlez Italian? The Follow-Up

Last week, we ran this:

Simona writes: Ciao,sono ricercatrice di pedagogia generale all'Unical.Per lavoro e per hobby mi occupo dei vari aspetti(sociologici, pedagogici, antropologici ecc) dei mezzi di comunicazione di massa. Per quanto riguarda il telefilm "Buffy" un numero infinito di studenti sono letteralmente "impazziti" per la morte di tara(anche a me è dispiaciuto, è un personaggio sul quale, invece, avrei lavorato molto). conosci un indirizzo mail o di posta di Joss Whedon o qualche recapito dove potere inviare una mail o una lettera?

Denyse Dasaro writes: Finally, a reason to be glad for the Italian family unit! Here's your translation...

Hello, I am the general directrice of Unical (a university in Italy). For my job and my hobby I take care of several aspects (sociologic, pedagogical, anthropological etc) of the mass media. As far as the television show "Buffy", an infinite number of students have literally been "driven crazy" for the dead women of Tara (which I'm sorry, is a personage on whom, instead, I would have worked a lot). Do you know of an address mail or of email of Joss Whedon or some delivery where to be able to send one mail or one letter?

Ryall: Well, I'll just figure out a way to tell BUFFY fan "no" in Italian. But if he's upset with Joss for killing Tara, he's really going to be upset about last season's ending, especially if he was a fan of Spike or of Xander's eye.

Thanks also to Kris Renaldi and Emma Fiorentino for the translation.

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY

Jennifer Hunter writes: Am I the only one who is terrified of this movie? And the fact that they are re-making headed up by Tim Burton, scares me even more! I hate that freaky movie! I still can't eat blueberry bubble gum, or whatever it was that made that bratty girl blow up! Of course, I am only half kidding, but I will not be seeing this one if it ever does come out...I just don't like that flick!

Ryall: See, once you get past the four old people sleeping in the same bed and that horrible song Charlie's mom sings, I love the movie--it had just the right amount of British sarcastic humor and darkness to work for me as a kid. And even now. I'm only horrified by the prospect of a Tim Burton remake after seeing what he did with APES. But if he can recapture the spirit of PEE WEE's first movie, BEETLEJUICE or NIGHTMARE, it could be very interesting.

GOODBYE, CHUNKY RICE

Phil Villarreal writes: I finally checked out "Good-bye, Chunky Rice," which I first heard of in one of your columns a few months ago. I thought it sounded silly at the time, but the title and concept just stuck in my head and I finally broke down and bought it. Hell of a book. It makes me want to read "Blankets."

Ryall: BLANKETS (a 600-page graphic novel by Craig Thompson, due out from Top Shelf any day now, and one I reviewed a couple months ago, for those who don't know) is even better than CHUNKY RICE. I think the autobiographical nature just works even better with Craig's style. Love to hear what you, and anyone else, think of it when you read it.

Keen on EDDY

David Stephan writes: You really should add Keen Eddie to your recommendations. Considering Fox has buried this show in the summer after American Jrs. it's a sure bet that it won't last, but it's the best cop show in the past few years and is much funnier than any sit-com. We have to get people watching this show!

Ryall: Already did that, the week it debuted. I don't like to repeat myself every week, but the show got a mention, and not even a bad joke about it, two weeks ago.

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