All in All

Well, they've finally announced that after 42 years, Top of the Pops is to be axed, probably in summer.

This really is the end of an era. I was going to say that I will be sad to see it go but the truth is I haven't watched in over 6 or 7 years so I guess it was inevitable that the end was nigh. In the 70s and 80s it was THE music programme to watch, and an appearance could really boost record sales. I think it's on record that when Shakin' Stevens was unable to appear and they called little known band in Culture Club who were languishing in the late 30s in the charts at the time, this one appearance was the boost that started the reign of the band.

But times changed, and the combination of the growth and availability of MTV, coupled in my opinion, with the rise of dance records fronted by faceless djs (meaning a rather boring performance by dancers as opposed to a big name) has meant that the show has had it's day.

A sad day but as I say, not a surprise.

The Arctic Monkeys, it was barely months ago that all the fuss started. The gig that sold out before they even release a record just on the strength of downloads on the internet. The number one single. The album being a big success. the controversy over the posters for the album because a man is smoking. The big tour. It was only a matter of time before we had to ask was this too much success and fame too soon. How were they coping with all this overnight fame?

A few weeks ago the bassist pulled out of the US tour claiming 'fatigue'. Totally understandable, no-one would have expected that their year would have involved all of this. Now he's officially quit the band. Will they recover? Probably, but will the second album live up to the hype? Only time will
tell, but maybe there's something to be said against the overnight success of the internet. Sandi Thom take note (although I assume that you have already taken some note when only 56 people turned up to your in shop gig).

Mac and I have talked about this at length but I’m going to go into it once more just for effect. You have a baby and while she is barely days old, what do you do? Why not have a photo shoot resting said little girl on your back like she’s some fashion accessory? That poor child, I can only hope Geri Halliwell has invested her Spice Girls income successfully so the child doesn’t have to go to any old comprehensive school where she’ll be mercifully attacked for the stupid name of Bluebell Madonna. Geri really doesn’t have a clue, does she?

I haven’t done a comic talk blog in a while and so much has happened I should get up to date (I spend enough on these things, I ought to write about them to say what I think).

Infinite Crisis ended more with a whimper than a bang. I enjoyed the series but felt quite deflated at the end as despite everything it all seemed a bit rushed. Phil Jiminez was unable to do the whole series as promised and there were too many additional artists breaking up the flow and look of the book – whether this is because he was too slow and was putting in too much detail, or because editorial changes at the 11th hour kept meaning that they needed extra artists to cover the changes we’ll never really know. Where are we by the end of the saga? Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman are all friends again but vanishing for a year to retrain (Batman), reassess her mission (Wonder Woman) or simply live life temporarily depowered (Superman). A lot of people died but the only one that people really care about is Superboy. The space mission seemed pointless other than to mess up a lot of people to give then a new slant. On the whole, I’d give it a 6.5/10 overall. Not a bad read but a bit of a letdown based on promises and expectations.

Since then it’s One Year Later (meaning exactly as it sounds) and 52 (filling the gaps to explain why we got to one year later. Reserving comments on 52 as it’s only just getting going, I’ll pass comments on the One Year Later’s I’m reading.

Outsiders. Team changes (Arsenal’s gone but we don’t know where, Jade is dead, Starfire’s lost in space, Marvel Jr didn’t really join anyway, Shift no-one even seems to care about. Nightwing’s back and we’ll assume it is still Dick Grayson, Metamorpho’s replaced Shift, Boomerang Jr has joined). Harder and darker but becoming a good read.

Aquaman. Complete change, far more (underwater sword and sourcery. The original Aquaman seems to have gone/changed into a deformed aquatic hermit and there’s a new kid in town. Raises more questions than it answers so holds the attention well but may not last past the first story arc for financial reasons. Great art.

Checkmate and Manhunter. Picked both up to see what they are like. Both enjoyable but again will probably only last a story arc as I don’t need this many new titles.

Wonder Woman. Relaunched with the lovely Donna Troy filling the role while Diana is away (but actually incognito as Government Agent Diana Prince). Not sure how I feel about this. I hate the Diana Prince secret identity returning and feel a little disappointed that Donna isn’t being a separate hero in her own right. Still she’s alive, getting good cover time, and is a strong contender to join the JLA, which she deserves. A wait and see title.

Teen Titans. Gone through the biggest changes. Superboy died, as did limbo Titans Pantha, Wildebeest and Bushido). Kid Flash is (temporarily?) depowered. Speedy and Raven left. Beast Boy joined the Doom Patrol with a disfigured Herald (now Vox) and Bumblebee. Who does that leave? Robin (a bit mad and secretly trying to recline Superboy), Cyborg (shut down for a year so not sure what’s going on), Wonder Girl, sort of (very aggressive since Superboy’s death) and newbie’s Ravager and Kid Devil. It’s a good read but really changed and I have to wonder if they are really the Titans I like to read these days or not. Watch this space (again).

I've previously gone into detail about how great Sparks are and how unappreciated they are but I'm going to do it again.

For my birthday last week, Mac managed to get me a copy of 'Gratuitous Sax and Senseless Violins' and it really is a work of utter genius. Why wasn't this massive? Why aren't they massive?

I have no idea but I already have my tickets to see them again in September

In a moment of odd co-incidence, I have had two cases of fetishism brought to me attention in the last few hours. Firstly I was reliably informed that someone I know has been frequenting Central Station's foot fetishism night and making "friends". Then, a work colleague showed me her prim Catholic-school teacher's ebay page, selling off a load of pvc cat suits/schoolgirl outfits and other bondage gear.

So, this made me think if I have some sort of subconscious fetish (or at least would I consider having one)? Well, it's no secret that I read comics and there is always something dubious about the costumes, so maybe subconsciously I read comics because I get off on the costumes.

One quick flick through google images seeing plenty of pictures like this, however, have confirmed to me that this is the last thing on my mind and I think I'd rather abstain.