While my con season is right around the corner, the monolith of conventions Sand Diego Comic Con is in our rear view mirror. This convention, while on my bucket list, is really more about pop culture and mega-media approaches to our beloved characters. The big screen and small screen celebrities descend and give us all the sneak peeks.
Here is a link to the trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=2ra4U5K7pHU
There is a lot of reused footage from past seasons in here. But the one new visual that really caught my eye was of this armored Supergirl person. This really grabbed me. Is this the 'Soviet' Supergirl we saw at the end of Season 3, acting incognito? Will we have a sort of 'Who is Superwoman?' sort of mystery to help sort this out? Is this Kara who, afraid her secret identity might be discovered, opts for a masked look? Regardless, it looks cool, ripe for an action figure. It has enough Johnson/Asrar armor and Flamebird look to it to 'feel' right.
What am I worried about? Well the voice over, I guess by Agent Liberty, is clearly the show runners using aliens as a metaphor for illegal aliens. From the 'take our jobs, our money' to the culture war, this is blatantly obvious.
Now Supergirl has clearly been the most politically charged of the CW shows. It wears its politics on its sleeve. Unfortunately, it doesn't always work. I have said many times before a story with an agenda is fine. An agenda with a story tacked on seldom works, often comes off preachy, clunky, immature, or all of the above. Think of the 'James race issues' episode or the 'gun control' episode of last season. Even if I agree with the sentiment behind what they were saying, both of those episodes were as subtle as a gut punch. So I am hoping that the show can somehow make this an enjoyable season and not a 22 episode diatribe. Please, make it a story first.
I honestly hope that we get a daffy Supergirl season in the mode of DCLOT, just silly super-heroics.
The other big news was Supergirl hiring transgender activist Nicole Maines to be Nia Nal, the Dreamer:
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/supergirl-taps-transgender-activist-nicole-maines-as-tvs-first-trans-superhero-1128979
Obviously the inclusion of a transgender performer is progressive and fits into the politics of the show I applaud the show for pushing the envelope. I do hope that there is some connection to the Legion given the character sounds like Dream Girl, down to the moniker and last name.
Does this mean we probably will get some episodes focusing on transgender issues. The answer is most likely yes. I just pray they are done in a way that works.
I'll also add that we learned Manchester Black will also be on the show this season. And, as I said, there are plenty of side interviews with the stars out there.
https://supergirl.tv/the-new-cw-sundays-promo
This was thankfully a more light-hearted take on matters. I hope there is some joy this season.
Okay, onto to non-show stuff.
I have to thank blog friend Cori ( @CoriMarie21 on Twitter) for tweeting throughout the con.
I didn't hear anything about the upcoming comic. But I did see this preview of Maguire art on Cori's feed.
This looks like Kara annoyed/ignoring Superman. I can only hope that the loving relationship that Bendis gave us in Man of Steel isn't ignored.
And Cori also forwarded this pic on the new take on Supergirl in the rebooted Lauren Faust run DC Superhero Girls.
Shea Fontana's DC Superhero Girls Supergirl was shy, awkward, and kind, finding her way in the world.
Faust's is much more akin to the Kara we saw in Faust's Super Best Friends Forever. The Muscle! The Rebel! Aggressive? Tough? Confident? This is a very different Kara. I don't mind a sassy, pro-active Supergirl.
The things that stuck out for me was the 'stands up for the little guy' sentiment. A Supergirl who protects those who can't in a fierce manner? I'm in.
And a big thank to blog friend Firebird who also attended. Firebird owns a piece of storyboard from the 1984 Supergirl movie and got it signed by Supergirl Helen Slater at a Supergirl movie panel!
He also was able to send me shots of Supergirl merchandise coming soon. That Artgerm statue is gorgeous but the price tag of $525 is just too much for me. I don't know much about that middle statue of a Supergirl busting chains while flying out of a fireball is sweet looking. I'm not usually a 'belly shirt' fan but that is great. And then there is a Chris Uminga mini-statue sculpt in the works too.
And speaking of Helen Slater, I saw this picture of her and Sterling Gates on Twitter and it made me smile. That is like some cosmic nexus of Supergirl goodness right there. I wish I was there to thank them both.
So that's all the news ... I think ...
Did I miss anything big??
Thanks for the round-up. I just pulled a face when I saw that Nicole Maines - never heard of her, she doesn't seem to have much in the way of actual acting credits - had been cast as a transgender character. I also fear it's putting the agenda in transgender... it's yet another new regular who's going to have to be served by a big character arc, taking time away from Kara. And there'll be lessons. Heavy handed lessons that people who have a problem with transgender people will ignore, and the rest don't need. As you imply, from previous episodes it's going to be as subtle as a brick. The best thing the show could do is just cast a transgender woman or man as a character of the gender they are now, and the person they're playing may have been born into that sex or not, but don't make it the point. mention it if it's organic. Cast a transgender actress as just another character, not a conversation starter.
ReplyDeleteAnd the Agent Liberty stuff looks to be just as potentially bad and season-hogging. Stop lecturing us, CW! Just give us shows centred on Kara, telling one and two-part stories with continuing subplots, and don't worry about raising our consciousness; it's all so patronising.
There are too many main characters - am I actually going to have to start campaigning for a spin-off centred on Supergirl?
'am I actually going to have to start campaigning for a spin-off centred on Supergirl?'
ReplyDeleteI was just going to say this, first Mon el and now this!
I am hoping and praying that they will not turn this into a social commentary. They don't know how to do subtle but if they had to do it, may I say, do it like BvS did the anti alien thing. The tone will continue to be dark I am assuming and I don't know how to feel about that. I was hoping for a lighter season but I guess we have to see.
I just hope Nicole has actual acting chops and matches upto scenes with Melissa.
I have been seeing people say that this season is a reboot of s2, with the mentor/mentee arc (which went so horribly wrong with Mon el), the return to journalism, anti alien sentiments etc.
Also anj, they confirmed that nia nal is the ancestor of nura nal in the legion (I have hopes that the descendant will pop up sometime) also that the power of dreaming the future will surely be used to set up the next season arc or something. I hope after a year, all of us are still here.
My biggest concern is the ratings, no matter what I will be watching but will others watch a show with such a heavy handed political agenda? I hope so.
Thanks for posting Anj.
ReplyDeleteRe: the new suit, will be interesting to see what's up with that. I've heard from it being a spacesuit, to
an anti-kryptonite suit, to something for "Red Daughter" Supergirl to wear -- but why the "S" logo then? Guess
we'll have to wait and see.
Re: Nicole Maines, originally was taking a "wait and see" perspective, but to use your "subtle as a brick"
imagery, I was reminded of those "preachy" episodes last season and how the cast made it work, but it could have
been better. I'm HOPING that they can improve that this upcoming season, but I fear we may get more of the same.
I'm in agreement with @Martin Gray with more Supergirl-centric stuff and not being reduced to just a guest star
in her own show.
Re: DCSHG Supergirl as The Rebel... oh gawd, just shoot me! Talk about a salt mine on the wound that is the loss
of the Shea Fontana version of Supergirl. Yes SBFFs Supergirl worked because it was 1minute shorts played for
laughs and I still get a crack out those, and yes the other qualities work for Supergirl overall, but still...
Re: Helen Slater & Sterling Gates, thanks for putting a grin on my face. Speaking of which, did you get a
chance to see supergirl.tv's interviews with Helen Slater and Marc McClure?
Regards
Thanks for comments.
ReplyDeleteI am hoping that the upcoming season learns from the mistakes of the last. I think about how The Flash responded to all the criticism of the Savitar season by giving us this last one with the Thinker.
I do wonder why Shea Fontana was removed when the DCSHG brand seemed pretty strong. I guess we'll have to see how this plays out.
And yes, I wonder about the S-shield on the suit. Heard a theory about it being Lena! Imagine her in a Super-suit a la Lex recently.
"I have said many times before a story with an agenda is fine. An agenda with a story tacked on seldom works, often comes off preachy, clunky, immature, or all of the above. Think of the 'James race issues' episode or the 'gun control' episode of last season. Even if I agree with the sentiment behind what they were saying, both of those episodes were as subtle as a gut punch. So I am hoping that the show can somehow make this an enjoyable season and not a 22 episode diatribe. Please, make it a story first."
ReplyDeleteFully agree, Anj. If a writer desires to promote their political or ideological agenda, it must be done subtly and/or even-handedly. Otherwise... Well, you risk alienating your audience, who don't like being preached on. if I may paraphrase Martin above me, people who agree with your message don't need to be told things they already know and may feel you're doing their ideology a disservice by strawmanning the "other side". And people who disagree with your message simply won't listen.
Unfortunately the show has been just so subtle as "Captain PLanet and the Planeteers" so far. Exhibit A, the Parasite episode which I found preposterous even though I'm not a Denier. Or the gun-focused episodes which I found absurd even though I'm not pro-guns.
I'm also a tad annoyed because the show has fallen back on adapting Superman stories instead of Supergirl stories, and now the general audience will think "Red Daughter" is another gender-swapped Superman story rather than a Supergirl story which is completely unrelated and is actually one of her best ones.
At the very least the armored suit is cool.
Onto the other stuff:
- Those panels are interesting. I hope the cousins aren't at odds with each other this again. Maybe Superman is expressing concerns and Supergirl is retorting they needs to discover the truth, regardless the risk.
- I'm worried about the new DCSHG Supergirl. Aggressive, hot-headed and confident? Okay. Rebel? Less okay. I'm SO tired of teenagers with a bad attitude and rebels without a cause...
Standing up for the little guy, though? Definitely okay. Standing up to the bullies is part and parcel of the Kryptonian mythos since 1938. Both cousins have been putting bullies down since their inception.
Of course, some wisecrackers who have clearly never touched one Supergirl comic -or read past the Midvale Orphanage years- are claiming Supergirl has been turned into Power Girl.
- "Firebird owns a piece of storyboard from the 1984 Supergirl movie and got it signed by Supergirl Helen Slater at a Supergirl movie panel!"
Impressive.
- Those statues are cool. And Turner's suit keeps appearing in merchandise! Interesting. I wonder if the New 52 costume will get statues seven years from now.
- That picture of Slater and Gates is amazing.
"Talk about a salt mine on the wound that is the loss of the Shea Fontana version of Supergirl."
If I've understood correctly, Shea Fontana's series isn't being retired but it'll run concurrently with Faust's.
I think that must be evil Supergirl's elegant armor, since it conceals her face, it allows the producers to use a stunt double instead of working poor MB deep into the night.
ReplyDeleteThere is a lot of commentary on there in the interverse about the new TG character, after three seasons the show's maddening tendency toward ubiquity means said character could well fade from the storyline over the course of six episodes...on the other hand she may click with the audience who can say?
My own hopes for S4 are a little broader I wish to Ghod the show could finally part ways with it's story-undercutting breakneck pace & tendency to paper over continuity flaws and plot holes with "clunky writing". If they could make this their goal then a lot of the other stuff, even the so called "agenda tropes" would go down easier with viewers. The Twlight Zone and Babylong Five both had a similar agenda, but it was better presented and performed because of the excellence of the writing.
So I'll just end with this minor observation, if indeed Supergirl did engineer her own personal "Flashpoint Event" creating her own evil clone, then at least some of "Agent Liberty's Agenda" is worth debating, because dear Kara really did make a rash decision on behalf of us all....
JF
I was one of the lucky to see Lauren Faust's rough animation preview at SDCC, and it's amazingly funny and no one should be disappointed with it. The only problem with it is the name.
ReplyDeleteLauren's version should have been called The SBBFs - It IS the SBFFs. It has nothing to do with DCSHG.
They are two very different both amazing properties that stand on their own, and they should never have been mixed. It is causing confusion and making children sad to see their characters change, and honestly for no good reason at all.
---
Another cool Supergirl thing they showed at SDCC was the animated Legends of Atlantis. Shea is really nailing the Batgirl/Supergirl friendship. There are some minor things I think could be done better, but I think they ultimately come from the good intention of wanting to spotlight all the heroines for all children, and now they are so many there isn't enough time to make it come out perfectly on screen.
---
I'm on board with the CW Supergirl running their agenda. I'd rather see the show crash and burn trying to make the world better, than staying silent and complicit to appeal and sell. In my mind this road makes Supergirl more relevant for future and history right now than even her cousin. Too many humanitarian issues are being labelled left and right these days that should be labelled right and wrong.
A trailer for DCSHG's S5 has been released. Confirmed Shea Fontana's universe isn't going anywhere.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxGBpRAGPQ0
"In my mind this road makes Supergirl more relevant for future and history right now than even her cousin."
After going through dozens of Silver and Bronze Age comics which strove for being relevant and tackling important issues as racism, sexism, drug-addiction, environmentalism... I've got to say trying to be relevant is the best way to become IRRELEVANT and outdated in the future and history.
Proof of that are the number of 60's and 70's stories which meant -rightfully- condemning racism but are deemed racist nowadays.
Guess I'll have to adapt to Maguire's decision that Kara has no jawline. I saw that in Man of Steel but hoped it would be different when he focused on her comic.
ReplyDeleteThose upcoming statues are great.
The show, and lots of the comics, have always featured social issues, and used aliens as a stand-in for "other." It's standard fare when you are dealing with the ultimate in aliens, but it can be done in a clunky, preachy way.
It may be easier to slip the theme subtly into comics, where so much has to be conveyed in a few snippets of dialog that a reader can gloss over it. In TV or film, if that subtext is present, it is almost always made more obvious dramatically, and getting the tone just right is more difficult.
It's like translating costumes to the screen. You can get away with bright red and blue in the comic book, but it looks garish on the screen, so you tone down the shades or red and blue. I think that's a terrible simile... but it's what I came up with.
The Agent Liberty voiceover sure is heavy-handed. It's easy to see how they would use a patriotic name like Liberty to represent a nationalist perspective. So yeah, we may be in for another season of politics.
The modern Luthor thing has always been a concern that Superman was the vanguard of an alien invasion, or more concerned about the danger of his power and his being beyond the law, than simple xenophobia. I think that angle is a more reasonable one to take. It's a legitimate fear when dealing with superpowered aliens.
Look what happened in that old New Krypton story - the newly empowered Kandorians had no regard for human life. They were powerful, and something in-between amoral and immoral - and humans were reasonably fearful of them.
I'm all for having a Luthor in a super suit. Is J'onn really still part of the show? He seemed to just walk off at the end of last season. The trailer shows him, and Winn too, and lots of other existing material. I hope we get more J'onn, and less (or no) Guardian.
The entire Comic Con panel is up on YouTube - it came up automatically after I played the trailer. Looking forward to watch it later.
"And the Agent Liberty stuff looks to be just as potentially bad and season-hogging. Stop lecturing us, CW! Just give us shows centred on Kara, telling one and two-part stories with continuing subplots, and don't worry about raising our consciousness; it's all so patronising."
ReplyDeleteMartin I can't say I blame you. But let me say the inclusion of the transgender performer has gotten buzz on social media...and a lot of (deserved) backlash, but also talk from those who say that dreaded word transphobic...the show is now about to promote mental instability, which is what some researchers have found what transgenderism really hides.
Also the Agent Liberty thing...a direct assault on Oath Keepers, patriots, independents, conservatives and old school liberals...not to mention supporters of the current president. In fact, I am really considering NO LONGER watching the show.
But as for the character...though my love has diminished, it's still there.
"A trailer for DCSHG's S5 has been released. Confirmed Shea Fontana's universe isn't going anywhere."
WHEW and YAY!
This reboot to me has Teen Titans GO! written all over it. The Fontana Kara is cute, adorable, well-meaning, a little clumsy but a hero. The reboot seems to scream SJW despite her standing up for the little guy.
"I've got to say trying to be relevant is the best way to become IRRELEVANT and outdated in the future and history."
Let me say the CW's motto Dare to Defy means to take on authority. CW and Hollywood overall IS the authority, and many Americans are fed up with the leftist globalist NWO stance Hollywood has taken. As one alternative media star from England likes to say "Conservatism is the new counterculture." One I am glad to be a part of.
As for the statues...I think I'll take the Chris Uminga mini-statue. It represents Supergirl's cuteness and innocence.
By the way, Anj, Figures Toy Company, known for their Mego-like products, has announced more Supergirl figures, including an 8-inch model with Kara's traditional red skirt blue top and a 12-inch version of the 70's hot pants outfit, along with Clark Kent and Superman, plus other DC stars. Found that out through the Mego Museum. Those things I hope to acquire soon.
And Megos are coming to Target under the rebooted Mego Toys, which made an appearance at SDCC with Mego founder Marty Abrams himself along with NFL Hall of Famer Broadway Joe Namath. So will Supergirl fly in to Target?
Anj I forgot to mention...
ReplyDelete"I honestly hope that we get a daffy Supergirl season in the mode of DCLOT, just silly super-heroics."
Well despite some SJW stuff, LOT made it subtle, but then overpowers you with its wit, whimsy, humor, heart (Their ET like episode was a near tearjerker for me as I was hearing Neil Diamond's "Heartlight" in my head!) and action.
But even if we get a brighter Supergirl Season 4 like The Flash's mostly fun Season 4, the progressive socialist undertones may do irreparable harm.
"Just give us shows centered on Kara..."
ReplyDeleteTHAT would be my main hope for season 4. Not that I mind a supporting character getting the spotlight now and then, but Supergirl should be the main focus. And for Pete's sake, no more episodes where Kara is clobbered and has to be rescued! It's Supergirl's show, let her do the rescuing.
The middle statue of Supergirl busting chains is from Diamond Select, part of a new line called DC Comics Gallery. Besides Supergirl, the line (so far) includes Superman, Batman, Flash, Green Lantern, Green Arrow, Catwoman, Aquaman, Shazam (Captain Marvel), Joker, Batgirl, Nightwing, The Batman who Laughs, and 2 versions of Harley Quinn. Superman is due out in August, with the others following on a monthly basis. I don't believe that Supergirl's release date has been announced yet. Probably sometime next year. The suggested retail price is $45.
Anonymous above mentioned the 8 inch Mego style doll from Figures Toy Company, with Supergirl in her traditional outfit, but he didn't mention another 8 inch Supergirl figure, a red haired Supergirl wearing the orange shirt, with green skirt, cape and boots, as seen in the early reprints of the story in Superman 123. Supergirl TV has a story about it with some pictures. It's "in stock" at Big Bad Toy Store for $29.99.
It's difficult to tell what's going on in that scene from the comic. Maybe Clark and Kara are just saying a sad goodbye, as she's leaving home and family for what could be an extended space mission. I won't be surprised if Superman is the one who suggests that Krypto accompany her.
Watching even the first few minutes of the full comic-con panel, it’s clear the season is going to be focused on reflecting current events. Hope vs. fear. How strongly one feels about this, positively or negatively, is personal and I think while it’s fair game to discuss how well they dramatize the themes, whether it’s done with some flair or is too on the nail and even divisive - and we won’t know till we see it - I don’t think this is the place to engage in political debate per se. This feels to me like a place to discuss the success of the artistic expression - and what we have in common is fandom of the medium, and appreciation or disappointment in the realization of the potential of the characters.
ReplyDeleteThey say there will be lots of Catco with Kara back as a journalist. Which I think we all miss. It will be journalists as heroes (one of the producers) and not as “enemies of the state” (I think Mechad said that). This may hit a passionate hot button with some of us, one way or the other. Though in truth regardless of political leanings, everyone has his or her favorite news sources.
I’d rather see Supergirl do neat stuff like fly around the sun, but would much prefer her back in a real secret identity and working at Catco than lurking around the DEO full time, with a kind of Berlanti-trademark non-secret identity that actually is a secret only to any deaf dumb and blind person at the DEO!
To me Supergirl is not fully Supergirl if she isn’t also ducking into storerooms, pulling off her glasses and jumping out windows. I only wish they were holographic glasses.
With J’onn giving up DEO leadership and Winn gone, an ongoing DEO focus does seem less relevant. Finally!
"I honestly hope that we get a daffy Supergirl season in the mode of DCLOT, just silly super-heroics."
ReplyDeleteThat would be a completely regressive move back to the 50s and 60s...so it's never going to happen.
Legends of Tomorrow pretty much tweaks pop culture history and nostalgia for irrelevance. The show knows it's time travel fluff, and it doesn't really reach much for thematic statements outside of itself. On the other hand, the Supergirl series has always been keenly aware of its lead character's female archetype, and the weight that this status carries with it in today's modern world. It's never settled for mere irrelevance in regards to its focus on female empowerment, and probably never will. Plus, the show continues to be recognized for it by viewers world-wide. So if one wants to hand-wave off its topical leanings as 'political', then one is clearly missing the show's overall thematic points. Women's issues are more prevalent in our society than ever before, considering the oppressive tone against women and race being forced upon current society, right up and into the US nation's capital buildings. Women's issues are the current 'lay of the land' front and center, folks; so Supergirl might as well not ignore its central theme of female empowerment and address these concerns as stridently as it desires to.
In accordance with that, and with Kara Danvers' stated belief that "Stronger Together" is an oath towards inclusiveness, the casting of Nicole Maines is a smart and relevant choice on the part of the series. Personally, I can't be more pleased, as Maines' casting deftly avoided the missteps of misrepresentation. And as others have noted, it's ground-breaking news that has resonated around the world. In other words, even if some might cite it as yet more stunt casting (as when the show cast for Superman in Season Two), the story put the world on notice that the Supergirl series is walking the walk, not merely talking a good game, then hiring Scarlett Johansson.
Yep, Kara's getting a new suit; Red Daughter wouldn't be wearing the 'S'. Why? Because there's still the dangling subplot from last season, with DEO copycat weaponry still loose in the streets. Also looks pretty likely that Alex will probably have her hands full with defecting DEO agents to this rogue splinter group the Sons of Liberty. In addition, Lena Luthor manufactures Kryptonite, making her an attractive target for 'alternate persuasion'.
Yes, CatCo will have more of a focus next season, as Kara has re-embraced her humanity, and her reporter's skills...plus, Nia Nal arriving at the workplace offers Kara a second chance to mentor a wanna-be hero...hopefully, it will be less of a long, drawn-out process than it was in 'raising' Mon-El. And this time, James will be around to help out as well...that is, if he doesn't get arrested for also being a vigilante (another dangling subplot from last season, which will surely return).
KET
KET writes: ‘...stunt casting (as when the show cast for Superman in Season Two’. How was Tyler H stunt casting? Did I forget something?
ReplyDelete"How was Tyler H stunt casting?"
ReplyDeleteBringing in the more famous cousin was stunt-casting, even though the appearance fit nicely in with the Season Two story theme. That decision brought with it new publicity and attention to the series for its premiere on The CW. And he hasn't returned since that season, nor are there any announced plans for Tyler to return to the role. His appearance served its purpose, and the series moves onward.
Based on the explosive publicity of the past few days, Nicole Maines' casting is also serving its intended purpose, as well as the series receiving a talented young newcomer with her own built-in fan base. In other words, it's drawing brand new attention to the TV series, and inadvertently, to its lead character in results. Nia Nal should be a interesting character to watch, as she's the ancestor to Dream Girl (providing another way for Supergirl to influence LSH futures on the show, just as it did with Mon-El, and as it's still doing with Brainiac Five around on a regular basis).
KET
Thanks for continued comments.
ReplyDeleteI get it KET. I get that women's issues are front and center these days. I get that Supergirl is the political show and not DCLOT.
The point was that often times the overt 'message' episode come off as clunky and ham-fisted to me. I understand that others may think that those episodes were done perfectly and fit wonderfully into the show's branding. But I'll reiterate that, to me, those episodes were written like an after-school special trying to teach me something.
So yes, I do wish that occasionally we would get just an adventure episode that is having fun.
To put it another way, I only have a couple of episodes on my DVR tagged as 'do not erase' - Mr & Mrs Mxyzptlk, the Crisis on Earth X, and the musical episode. The crossover commented on racism and fascism. The Mxy episode talked obliquely about stalkers and unwanted advances by men. So there was a message but it was couched in a good story.
So, again, I get it. I just want better. And I want to be entertained too.
Thanks for getting back to me KET. That’s not stunt casting... you’re talking putting Superman in in the first place (story choice), and not who played him (casting choice). Superman had to come in eventually, because so many people were constantly wondering where he was. So Kara got a season to establish herself, Superman was brought in, and he’s not been seem since. It makes perfect sense.
ReplyDeleteAs does Nicole Maine’s if we go with your idea that Supergirl should be a series about women’s issues. I want it to be all-inclusive, not issues-led... a show that inspires little kids of all types to be as good as they can be, not one that grabs a hot button topic to engender (NPI) publicity.
I want it to be all-inclusive, not issues-led... a show that inspires little kids of all types to be as good as they can be, not one that grabs a hot button topic to engender (NPI) publicity.
ReplyDeleteHa-ha, it's funny because it's transphobic about casting an actual transwoman to play a transwoman instead of a model and because nothing that actually addresses social issues in any way can possibly be appropriate for kids! Just look at Steven Universe... no, wait, look at The Loud House... no, no hang on. I'll think of something that you might recognize, but it doesn't have Batman in it, so you'll probably dismiss it.
Also, all the commenters reacting in horror that Lauren Faust is going to give Supergirl a personality and that her DCSHG design doesn't look like a digital paper doll anymore has made me retroactively disgusted with the original DCSHG. Bravo, gentlemen.
The amount of hatred on display here for "stunt casting" that's actually appropriate, the assuming stupidity or conservatism of the audience masquerading as "quality" concerns, and for redesigns from one of the best women in the field of animation trying to mask complaints about your fantasies are astonishing.
You wonder why a comics-based hate movement is out there attacking anyone who's not you and driving them out of the medium, creators & readers alike? Listen to yourselves. Listen to you sighing in disgust that someone wants to talk about icky "womens issues" on a female-led show. Listen to your "jokes". But all you'll do is pat yourselves on the back for being so very insightful instead of realizing just how disgusting you sound to anyone who's not a WASPy man in his 40s.
Stop pretending you like Supergirl as anything other than masturbation fodder, because anything that actually tries to build the character beyond the vacant blonde of your dreams is instantly met with resistence & disgust. Stop pretending you're even remotely "open" to anyone who isn't you or one of your buddies.
The only one that even seems to be a decent human being is KET, and I feel sorry for them trying to talk sense into jerks like you & Mr. Gray. You seem so very proud of your bigotry that you've managed to mask as "creative issues". Well, at least you have DC's hope-filled miniseries about PTSD and spree shootings to look forward to, since that seems more your speed.
‘...Stop pretending you like Supergirl as anything other than masturbation fodder...’
ReplyDeleteEr, I’m kinda gay. Try again.
"That’s not stunt casting..."
ReplyDeleteYeah, it totally was. You can be in self-denial about it, but the show knew what it was doing when it brought in Superman to lead off its second season. Before, he was mostly seen in silhouette, which was all that was needed in the first season.
"I get that women's issues are front and center these days. I get that Supergirl is the political show and not DCLOT."
Sorry, but you're still NOT 'getting it'. Supergirl is NOT a political show. You're misusing the word. Look it up.
However, the series does tackle current events within its conceptional framework of women becoming empowered and exercising their power skills. Kara Danvers, in the series, has been described as a 'millennial' by Cat Grant, no less. There's been a false narrative within tradtional media that this current generation of youth is too passive to the world around them, and thus mischaracterized as 'lazy' or 'only self-involved'. But that's merely corpotate media trying to sway this generation to their old school way of thinking. Today's youth still have the power to resist the easy ways out of situations.
That's where the Supergirl series comes into play...by taking what poet Robert Frost alluded to as 'the road less traveled'. It's exploring the grey areas of these current events situations, and not just painting superheroics as merely black and white hats facing off against each other.
Kara's major dilemma for Season Four appears to be, "How can I continue to be a shining example to those around me, when some believe I should be feared instead?" Should be a very compelling arc this coming season, as some cast members already commented at SDCC that the episode scripts they've read so far have a brand new feel to them.
KET
Oh Ket! ‘Supergirl is NOT a political show. You're misusing the word. Look it up.’
ReplyDeleteThis from the person who won’t accept what ‘casting’ means. How ironic >choke<.
Okay. I'm the bad guy.
ReplyDeleteYes, Supergirl tackles political topics more than DCLOT or Flash. So I when I call this a political show I mean this show is the most likely to tackle topics like these.
My point in this whole thing is not that I don't like the show tackling these issues. It is that I don't like the show tackling these issues poorly.
And I you think I want Supergirl to be 'masturbation fodder', you haven't been reading this blog for any of its 10 years.
But maybe it's time for me to stop. If asking for well-written stories means I'm horrible than maybe it is time to step away.
Er, I’m kinda gay. Try again.
ReplyDeleteOh, then you're just a run of the mill transphobe. Standard issue, just like the anon who thought backlash to casting a trans actress in a trans role is "deserved backlash".
Anyone who thinks topicality automatically negates a story being "well-written" is someone who has never experienced a single bad, unconfortable thing in their lives and resent when people remind them that they have & it's bad. And anyone who thinks a constant stream of pictures of a girl staring vacantly into space while chewing on her fingertip is "empowering" needs to learn a thing or two about what word means.
Wait, I forgot, you're two steps away from Comicsgate. You'd rather anyone who's not just like you be gone from comics, so you can enjoy them without having to think why actual flesh & blood women, POC, LGBTQ+ folks would be put off by these stories.
You care so much about fictional characters that your contempt for actual real people has become obvious. Think about that next time you wring your hands over "well-written" before actually affecting people who aren't you, if you're even capable of basic human empathy. Judging by the fact you let a Parkland truther go nuts without comment on a show recap, I highly doubt it.
"This from the person who won’t accept what ‘casting’ means."
ReplyDeleteMartin, Martin, Martin...that's just typical, 'let's avoid the reality by distracting the messanger with semantics' BS. Either put up with some valid reasoning for the obvious stunt casting (which got the job done at the beginning of S2, and not so much at the end), or shut up. You're just being pathetically irrelevant now.
"Okay. I'm the bad guy."
No, that's 'playing the victim card' when you're not actually being victimized. We're talking about a TV show. One can always turn the channel or turn the set off. It's your choice.
The idea of whether the Supergirl series tackles current events 'properly' is merely subjective, considering that much of the commentary that criticizes this usually takes it outside of its context of being a superhero TV show emphasizing female empowerment. The show has its own conceit of being set in a fictionalized universe, so outside rules don't always apply.
Seems there's also a fanboy undercurrent here of 'what will the children think?' going on as well...as if there's still not enough 'man-splaining' that already goes on with the comics and fantasy-based genre. However, Supergirl's lead actress is already on record with who she primarily plays the character for, and it's not any of us. Melissa Benoist continues to portray Supergirl for all the young girls who have approached and written to her in these past few years. That's who she's doing it for.
KET
> I think that must be evil Supergirl's elegant armor, since it conceals her face, it allows the producers to use
ReplyDelete> a stunt double instead of working poor MB deep into the night.
Hmm, interesting theory there JF. I can't help but ascribe malicious motives to the suit and the person in it...
but we'll see. VERY interesting hook though!
> They are two very different both amazing properties that stand on their own, and they should never have been mixed.
> It is causing confusion and making children sad to see their characters change, and honestly for no good reason at
> all.
+9000 to that. I'm not knocking the effort, but like everything else TPTB feel the random need to "reboot/remake/redo/re-
anything" *sighs* My outer adult knows it's all about the almighty dollar, but my inner child keeps screaming "WHY?!"
> Another cool Supergirl thing they showed at SDCC was the animated Legends of Atlantis. Shea is really nailing the
> Batgirl/Supergirl friendship.
I keep hoping for that to show up on Amazon, along with the Bluray version of the Supergirl movie. I can't wait!
And yes, the Batgirl/Supergirl friendship is one of the key things I LOVELOVELOVE about the Shea Fontana version of
DCSHG.
> A trailer for DCSHG's S5 has been released. Confirmed Shea Fontana's universe isn't going anywhere.
THANKS FOR SHARING THAT! And we'll see. As I said, I LOVE the place that the "current" DCSHG girls is... granted
some of the other characters could use more fleshing out / their own episodes, but KUDOS again to Shea Fontana for
the universe and personalities she's created so far! I'll still check out the Faust version, but so far...
Regards
Well, I think this is where I probably jump off.
ReplyDeleteI will restate that I don’t mind policewoman stories, or stories with an agenda, when they are done well. I don’t think I could say that about the most overt examples that were done in the Supergirl show.
I have never said I am against having a transgender performer, themes on racism, or themes of female empowerment. I just ant them to be well-written.
For saying those things I have been insulted here, called terrible names, said I am playing the victim card, and told I am mansplaining.
(sigh)
As has been said, this is a show, meant to entertain, and by nature subjective in how they are received. I think we can agree on that. If so, continue to allow me to say that last year some topics weren’t presented well. I am not saying those topics should not be presented.
(sigh)
Thank you for continued comments and discussion. And thank you all who come here.