LJ presents: Homecoming, part one

[dragontail]

Finding the time to write this entry has been something of an epic in itself. I won't bore you all with the details - it's enough to say "it's been a busy couple of weeks" and leave it at that. It's a shame it's taken so long because this, the first installment of a two-part story, is yet another one of LJ's strong ideas. The kidlet's burgeoning

Comments

[librarian_bot]

You know, as undoubtedly good as this is - and let's be clear, it is stupendously well plotted and characterised - I can't help but wish for a utopian vision that wasn't caused by a villainous deception. It seems so common for 'good futures' and the like to actually be evil plots that I think comic creators must be very cynical about the possibility of improvement.

But regardless: this is not in any way meant as a criticism of the here-executed master plan by Herr Schmidt. This is so very much up his street in terms of machinations. And how . . . telling that Batman (if it is the real deal of course) fell for it. His brand of justice has always had a worryingly authoritarian potential. Nice to see too that the Skull is not messing about when it comes to our heroines: he is, as Legion once observed, smarter than the average bear.

More, I say, more!

[dragontail]

I've a long weekend coming up, LJ is going away on a trip and stareyednight has a cosplay photo shoot booked, so your chances of getting "more, more!" in short order look pretty good :)

You know, as undoubtedly good as this is - and let's be clear, it is stupendously well plotted and characterised - I can't help but wish for a utopian vision that wasn't caused by a villainous deception. It seems so common for 'good futures' and the like to actually be evil plots that I think comic creators must be very cynical about the possibility of improvement.

A valid point, as always. Though I'll admit I share that cynicism. Mayhaps I have the same problem, though I'd wager mine is the direct result of too much journalism.

What intrigued me is how this story speaks to LJ's view of modern politics. Peggy's line about freedom, security and subservience (great word) really struck me. Given the man currently running our federal government, and his ultra-right wing leanings, I'd wager LJ has taken a fair bit of inspiration from his (poor) example. Having

[librarian_bot]

Absolutely. It's a grown-up approach and it suits the Skull beautifully because of it (his strength, after all, is in being an ideological challenge).

To be clear, it's not the concept I object to so much as the trappings of the 'perfect world' that tend to be used. Clean streets, for instance, seems to be treated as something totally unnatural whereas in a place like Cambridge (not a city in the American sense, I know but still) it's not that unusual since the council is pretty hot on keeping things tidy for the tourists. These things are possible for non-sinister reasons (well, less sinister reasons).

Anyway, enough loose thoughts. I must away to work!

[dragontail]

To be clear, it's not the concept I object to so much as the trappings of the 'perfect world' that tend to be used. Clean streets, for instance, seems to be treated as something totally unnatural whereas in a place like Cambridge (not a city in the American sense, I know but still) it's not that unusual since the council is pretty hot on keeping things tidy for the tourists. These things are possible for non-sinister reasons (well, less sinister reasons).

Absolutely, and I knew all along what you were saying. Fear not! :-)

[bc_scrubs]

The Captain comment made the "RED SKULL" light & klaxon in my head start start going off like crazy! Good to see my instincts were on the money :)

I think a lifetime of comics & cartoons have made me naturally distrustful of utopian societies and was happy to see my distrust was well placed.

Looking forward to the outcome of Skulls dastardly plan and I'm thinking Schmitt could give Chameleon a run for his money in the disguise stakes

[dragontail]

I think a lifetime of comics & cartoons have made me naturally distrustful of utopian societies and was happy to see my distrust was well placed.

I always go back to the cliche "into every life a little rain must fall". If there's perfection, and nothing ever goes wrong, it's because natural human instinct is being stifled. A franchise like Star Trek goes out of its way to show a utopia is created through hard work, exploration and endeavour... that by striving, and branching out, do we become better at our point of origin. But when the utopia is within walls - be they real or conceptual - then I, like you, have no trust whatsoever.