Daddy Stewart was asked if he was afraid. He likely was afraid because of concerns over his family's well being. Jordan is depicted without a family, especially a marital family.
I also loved how Bernadette's conversation with the Guardian reflects what the old African-American man said to Hal in the pages of Green Lantern/Green Arrow. Sharp parallel. No doubt deliberate. Chef's kiss.
The Guardians definitely are unethical as they want to see if a baby can be raised fearless. I was shocked the mom went along with the experiment. But I see why. So, the parents became a desperate version of the Kents here. Nice, dark parallel.
Also, I see how the show views love the same as the comics. In the comics, love is at an extreme end of the spectrum. It can drive you to do crazy things. Like shooting an apple off your kid's head. Also, fear is treated the same as in the comics. Fear is contagious. Like a virus. Which is the comic description of fear.
The things parents do so their kids can excel.
Finally, I enjoyed that the show did something that modern storytellers do way too much all over media. In this episode, we see John's origin but, unlike how it is these days, it is told to someone within the story. Also, this origin is being told after two episodes for which it gives great context, circling back around to the series start. The only character who doesn't know John's character progression is Hal, since the Guardians want to keep him in the dark.
PBS was not the only place where characters voiced important lessons. Although not a corporate guy, I recognize how commercial writers and actors elevated cartoon-toy properties. Peter Cullen's voice indeed elevated Optimus Prime to impart important lessons and provide a positive presence for many children. Optimus was not an example of some unattainable manliness, mastery, or control. Optimus was a kind, gentle, fun loving soul who had to brave war, loss, and dire responsibility. Over half that was communicated through Peter's voice talent. You knew Optimus was never going to speak down to you, lie to you, or betray you. All that through the warmth of a wise, firm, comforting, and friendly voice.
According to Cullen, his performance was shaped by advice his brother gave for his audition. He advised Peter to play a real hero, not a Hollywood hero. Likely, his brother, a Vietnam vet, was referencing John Wayne or Gary Cooper or some similar star. He advised Peter to play a real hero, someone strong enough to be gentle.
Sound familiar? You feel that same quality in Mister Rogers, don't you? Or Kermit the Frog.
I will always remember being given an alarm clock by my mom so I could wake up on time on Saturday morning to watch a new show called Transformers. At 6:30 AM on that Saturday, my mind was blown away. Optimus was not presented like other cartoon heroes. He first appears just standing there concerned with a hopeful mission not so much to win a war but to better his planet. During the episode, Optimus gets rebuilt and thanks the computer who rebuilt him. By the end of the episode, Optimus struggles to rescue two ordinary humans.
How do I judge the goodness of people? I have a checklist of personality and actions derived from many sources. Optimus Prime is one.
Rest in Perfection, Peter Cullen. You are now one with the Matrix. Till all are one.
Tim Curry's performances were always the purest quality. No role was beneath him, no genre unworthy of him. Stage, narrations, audiobooks, film, television, drama, comedy, horror, fantasy, animation, children's entertainment, adventure, etc.
I discovered Tim in 1990 via TV Guide. That fall, he was listed as starring in two memorable projects. One was Peter Pan & the Pirates, the other was It. But it was years later that I realized he had been Frank N Furter of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. For a closeted genderqueer teenager, I knew immediately what form my personality should take. They say you can tell a lot about a person from their favorite Tim Curry role. They are absolutely right.
Rest In Perfection, legend. You will be remembered and loved for centuries to come.
I'm a Twin Cities resident. I am a comic fan. So, I made this pic in support of our real life Spider-Man. Anyone interested, please donate whatever you can. Anyone who hates our Spidey, then unsub. YouTube refuses to pay me anyway. LOL.
LANTERNS - EPISODE 2 - REVIEW - This episode was a theory generator.
My #1 theory is confirmed. The show is indeed using Green Lantern: Secret Origin as a springboard. In that miniseries, Abin Sur was transporting Atrocitus when his ship crashed. In this episode, we are led to believe Sur was transporting a Manhunter.
Furthermore, we are told Sinestro led a coup rather than subjugate Korugar. Bet his coup happened around 2006 and that it involved Sinestro having a suspicion of the Guardians.
I also theorize Antaan, who revealed the Manhunters to John, is indeed a disguised Atrocitus. The Guardians hid the fact they created the Manhunters. Antaan implies he knows the truth but that others do not.
Rather than do the usual awful trope of JJ Abram's mystery box approach, this episode shows converging plot threads without giving away what the whole tapestry looks like.
My favorite part is Sinestro pulling his own Hannibal Lecter on Hal.
Cannot wait for Episode Three wherein it seems confirmed the ring was meant for John. But what happened to John's mom? Theories of your own?
QUESTION: What do YOU think Hal discovered in 2006 that changed him so drastically that he became the man we see in 2016? Please, share your theories. I think he failed a planet or let an evil go free or live.
The Good - Hal is Hal. Thank the Guardians! Immature? Check. Underestimated? Check. Mysteries abound, and Hal himself is one of them. Hal broke a vow, a concept brought up last year rather hilariously in Superman. Why break the oath?
The idea of a backup consciousness is key to figuring out why Hal broke his oath. The backup had not been updated since 2006. That's when it happened. I figure Sinestro is part of it as is Hal theorizing him getting the ring in 1986 was no accident. John must have been selected but was too young. Maybe the Guardians wanted him and Abin Sur made sure it was Hal. John scares me. He is so sure the ring is his. Is that because of his Joe Jackson father?
The Bad - Hal does not like aliens. He has grown to dislike his role. He has lost so many in his life. He likely refuses to talk to any alien friend. That is the only explanation for not talking to his fellow Lanterns since the ring indeed translates. Speaking of the ring, it is not used to scan anything. Apparently, the ring got nerfed here. I kept yelling, "Scan the ranch! Scan the suspect!"
The Green - Evidently, the producers are cribbing plenty from Green Lantern: Secret Origin. Abin Sur was transporting a war criminal, likely Atrocitus before crashing in Rushville. The Manhunters have found it. As for William Macon, he is definitely this story's version of William Hand as Black Hand was part of GL: SO. The connection to the present day involves Hal dead in the cold and Guy Gardner being Sector 2814's lantern. But why did John not get the ring ten years ago?
So, I got this email from a YouTuber who likes to post advice on how to get views. Is this "grift" or "no grift?"
Hey CJ,
I came across your comment on one of my videos and spent some time going through Secret Crisis.
The first thing that stood out is that you’ve built something much more specific than a typical superhero commentary channel. You’re not just reviewing DC and Marvel you’ve created an entire shared-universe concept around them, with your own Earths, characters, history, trailers and long-form stories.
And there’s some pretty strong evidence that the concept can work. “Creation of the DC Marvel Multiverse” has 13K views, “A Tour of the DC Marvel Multiverse” has 6.3K, and “The Story of Earth Zero” has 7.3K. That’s interesting because your newer uploads are often getting a fraction of those numbers.
To me, that suggests the bigger opportunity isn't necessarily making more content. It’s figuring out how to reconnect the newer videos to the core promise that made those larger projects compelling in the first place.
You also have a huge amount of material already sitting on the channel 237 videos gives you plenty of data to identify what people actually respond to.
I’ve helped creators dig into those patterns and turn a broad creative idea into something viewers immediately understand and want to follow.
Curious, if you could get one part of Secret Crisis growing again, would you want it to be the DC/Marvel multiverse itself, the reviews/commentary, or the original storytelling?
LANTERNS (first 5 minutes) REVIEW - I needed time to collate my thoughts. So, here they are:
The Good: The DCU has one element that Marvel lacks - a past. While both comics universes split their realities between the WW2 and modern eras (with little in-between), the cinematic universes diverge dramatically. The MCU has Captain America's WW2, Agent Carter's barely seen Cold War, Captain Marvel's 90s, and the insignificant ancient history of the Eternals. Right off the bat, the DCU has HISTORY. The opening narration in Superman 2025 and the that mural puts the MCU to shame. However, it might appear a little inconsistent or misleading.
The first five minutes of LANTERNS depicts an interview with Hal Jordan. I think it is a stroke of genius to depict Hal as among a "middle generation" of heroes. I also enjoy the fact he doesn't wear a mask (to avoid that infamous line in the 2011 film). But I dislike the fact Alan Scott is not mentioned. Did the JSA exist or not? So far, we have heroes scattered throughout history, but seemingly no community infrastructure. Have teams existed before or not?
Regardless, Lanterns depicts a lived-in history.
I also enjoyed the colorful heroes in a mundane setting. I am a Bronze Ager, and I remember those books always having a colorful heroes in mundane library, small town, or rural areas. Their costumes and presence popped.
The Bad: Young Hal is not Maverick from Top Gun. If I could describe Hal to anyone, I would say just watch the Top Gun films. Chandler's Hal is already a grumpy granny by the the time he gets the interview.
John's father is nuts like in the comics. However, that William Tell style scene has me asking, "How does this Dark Age of Comics angle generate a hero?" Seems more fitting of an Image anti-hero's origin. Is John's dad Joe Jackson on more powerful crazy pills? Or is it edgy for edgy's sake?
I also noticed John has two brothers here and not a single sister. I think this was done to mirror Hal for some reason as Hal (at least in the comics) has two brothers.
The Green: I think Hal will become Parallax. In the comics, when age afflicted Hal (remember the gray temples?), he became an angry person. And that was before the Rebirth retcon. After the Retcon, Hal's vanity made him fearful and prone to Parallax infection. He might get info on Parallax from Sinestro during that Silence of the Lambs scene. Parallax must factor since the ring has YELLOW all over it.
Secret Crisis: How to Merge DC & Marvel Comics
A great breakdown of LANTERNS - EPISODE 3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1R1Z...
1 day ago | [YT] | 3
View 11 replies
Secret Crisis: How to Merge DC & Marvel Comics
LANTERNS - EPISODE 3 - REVIEW (Spoilers)
We may have had John's dad all wrong.
Daddy Stewart was asked if he was afraid. He likely was afraid because of concerns over his family's well being. Jordan is depicted without a family, especially a marital family.
I also loved how Bernadette's conversation with the Guardian reflects what the old African-American man said to Hal in the pages of Green Lantern/Green Arrow. Sharp parallel. No doubt deliberate. Chef's kiss.
The Guardians definitely are unethical as they want to see if a baby can be raised fearless. I was shocked the mom went along with the experiment. But I see why. So, the parents became a desperate version of the Kents here. Nice, dark parallel.
Also, I see how the show views love the same as the comics. In the comics, love is at an extreme end of the spectrum. It can drive you to do crazy things. Like shooting an apple off your kid's head. Also, fear is treated the same as in the comics. Fear is contagious. Like a virus. Which is the comic description of fear.
The things parents do so their kids can excel.
Finally, I enjoyed that the show did something that modern storytellers do way too much all over media. In this episode, we see John's origin but, unlike how it is these days, it is told to someone within the story. Also, this origin is being told after two episodes for which it gives great context, circling back around to the series start. The only character who doesn't know John's character progression is Hal, since the Guardians want to keep him in the dark.
Grade: A
4 days ago | [YT] | 13
View 13 replies
Secret Crisis: How to Merge DC & Marvel Comics
PBS was not the only place where characters voiced important lessons. Although not a corporate guy, I recognize how commercial writers and actors elevated cartoon-toy properties. Peter Cullen's voice indeed elevated Optimus Prime to impart important lessons and provide a positive presence for many children. Optimus was not an example of some unattainable manliness, mastery, or control. Optimus was a kind, gentle, fun loving soul who had to brave war, loss, and dire responsibility. Over half that was communicated through Peter's voice talent. You knew Optimus was never going to speak down to you, lie to you, or betray you. All that through the warmth of a wise, firm, comforting, and friendly voice.
According to Cullen, his performance was shaped by advice his brother gave for his audition. He advised Peter to play a real hero, not a Hollywood hero. Likely, his brother, a Vietnam vet, was referencing John Wayne or Gary Cooper or some similar star. He advised Peter to play a real hero, someone strong enough to be gentle.
Sound familiar? You feel that same quality in Mister Rogers, don't you? Or Kermit the Frog.
I will always remember being given an alarm clock by my mom so I could wake up on time on Saturday morning to watch a new show called Transformers. At 6:30 AM on that Saturday, my mind was blown away. Optimus was not presented like other cartoon heroes. He first appears just standing there concerned with a hopeful mission not so much to win a war but to better his planet. During the episode, Optimus gets rebuilt and thanks the computer who rebuilt him. By the end of the episode, Optimus struggles to rescue two ordinary humans.
How do I judge the goodness of people? I have a checklist of personality and actions derived from many sources. Optimus Prime is one.
Rest in Perfection, Peter Cullen. You are now one with the Matrix. Till all are one.
1 week ago | [YT] | 12
View 3 replies
Secret Crisis: How to Merge DC & Marvel Comics
Tim Curry's performances were always the purest quality. No role was beneath him, no genre unworthy of him. Stage, narrations, audiobooks, film, television, drama, comedy, horror, fantasy, animation, children's entertainment, adventure, etc.
I discovered Tim in 1990 via TV Guide. That fall, he was listed as starring in two memorable projects. One was Peter Pan & the Pirates, the other was It. But it was years later that I realized he had been Frank N Furter of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. For a closeted genderqueer teenager, I knew immediately what form my personality should take. They say you can tell a lot about a person from their favorite Tim Curry role. They are absolutely right.
Rest In Perfection, legend. You will be remembered and loved for centuries to come.
1 week ago | [YT] | 13
View 2 replies
Secret Crisis: How to Merge DC & Marvel Comics
DONATIONS for MINNEAPOLIS SPIDER-MAN.
www.gofundme.com/f/support-minneapolis-spider-man
I'm a Twin Cities resident. I am a comic fan. So, I made this pic in support of our real life Spider-Man. Anyone interested, please donate whatever you can. Anyone who hates our Spidey, then unsub. YouTube refuses to pay me anyway. LOL.
#YouTubeConsYou
1 week ago (edited) | [YT] | 8
View 12 replies
Secret Crisis: How to Merge DC & Marvel Comics
LANTERNS - EPISODE 2 - REVIEW - This episode was a theory generator.
My #1 theory is confirmed. The show is indeed using Green Lantern: Secret Origin as a springboard. In that miniseries, Abin Sur was transporting Atrocitus when his ship crashed. In this episode, we are led to believe Sur was transporting a Manhunter.
Furthermore, we are told Sinestro led a coup rather than subjugate Korugar. Bet his coup happened around 2006 and that it involved Sinestro having a suspicion of the Guardians.
I also theorize Antaan, who revealed the Manhunters to John, is indeed a disguised Atrocitus. The Guardians hid the fact they created the Manhunters. Antaan implies he knows the truth but that others do not.
Rather than do the usual awful trope of JJ Abram's mystery box approach, this episode shows converging plot threads without giving away what the whole tapestry looks like.
My favorite part is Sinestro pulling his own Hannibal Lecter on Hal.
Cannot wait for Episode Three wherein it seems confirmed the ring was meant for John. But what happened to John's mom? Theories of your own?
1 week ago | [YT] | 11
View 9 replies
Secret Crisis: How to Merge DC & Marvel Comics
QUESTION: What do YOU think Hal discovered in 2006 that changed him so drastically that he became the man we see in 2016? Please, share your theories. I think he failed a planet or let an evil go free or live.
#YouTubeConsYou #youtubeisagrift
2 weeks ago (edited) | [YT] | 9
View 6 replies
Secret Crisis: How to Merge DC & Marvel Comics
LANTERNS - Episode 1 - Review
The Good - Hal is Hal. Thank the Guardians! Immature? Check. Underestimated? Check. Mysteries abound, and Hal himself is one of them. Hal broke a vow, a concept brought up last year rather hilariously in Superman. Why break the oath?
The idea of a backup consciousness is key to figuring out why Hal broke his oath. The backup had not been updated since 2006. That's when it happened. I figure Sinestro is part of it as is Hal theorizing him getting the ring in 1986 was no accident. John must have been selected but was too young. Maybe the Guardians wanted him and Abin Sur made sure it was Hal. John scares me. He is so sure the ring is his. Is that because of his Joe Jackson father?
The Bad - Hal does not like aliens. He has grown to dislike his role. He has lost so many in his life. He likely refuses to talk to any alien friend. That is the only explanation for not talking to his fellow Lanterns since the ring indeed translates. Speaking of the ring, it is not used to scan anything. Apparently, the ring got nerfed here. I kept yelling, "Scan the ranch! Scan the suspect!"
The Green - Evidently, the producers are cribbing plenty from Green Lantern: Secret Origin. Abin Sur was transporting a war criminal, likely Atrocitus before crashing in Rushville. The Manhunters have found it. As for William Macon, he is definitely this story's version of William Hand as Black Hand was part of GL: SO. The connection to the present day involves Hal dead in the cold and Guy Gardner being Sector 2814's lantern. But why did John not get the ring ten years ago?
All in all, Lanterns is off to a strong start.
Grade: A
2 weeks ago | [YT] | 11
View 0 replies
Secret Crisis: How to Merge DC & Marvel Comics
So, I got this email from a YouTuber who likes to post advice on how to get views. Is this "grift" or "no grift?"
Hey CJ,
I came across your comment on one of my videos and spent some time going through Secret Crisis.
The first thing that stood out is that you’ve built something much more specific than a typical superhero commentary channel. You’re not just reviewing DC and Marvel you’ve created an entire shared-universe concept around them, with your own Earths, characters, history, trailers and long-form stories.
And there’s some pretty strong evidence that the concept can work. “Creation of the DC Marvel Multiverse” has 13K views, “A Tour of the DC Marvel Multiverse” has 6.3K, and “The Story of Earth Zero” has 7.3K. That’s interesting because your newer uploads are often getting a fraction of those numbers.
To me, that suggests the bigger opportunity isn't necessarily making more content. It’s figuring out how to reconnect the newer videos to the core promise that made those larger projects compelling in the first place.
You also have a huge amount of material already sitting on the channel 237 videos gives you plenty of data to identify what people actually respond to.
I’ve helped creators dig into those patterns and turn a broad creative idea into something viewers immediately understand and want to follow.
Curious, if you could get one part of Secret Crisis growing again, would you want it to be the DC/Marvel multiverse itself, the reviews/commentary, or the original storytelling?
2 weeks ago | [YT] | 8
View 4 replies
Secret Crisis: How to Merge DC & Marvel Comics
LANTERNS (first 5 minutes) REVIEW - I needed time to collate my thoughts. So, here they are:
The Good: The DCU has one element that Marvel lacks - a past. While both comics universes split their realities between the WW2 and modern eras (with little in-between), the cinematic universes diverge dramatically. The MCU has Captain America's WW2, Agent Carter's barely seen Cold War, Captain Marvel's 90s, and the insignificant ancient history of the Eternals. Right off the bat, the DCU has HISTORY. The opening narration in Superman 2025 and the that mural puts the MCU to shame. However, it might appear a little inconsistent or misleading.
The first five minutes of LANTERNS depicts an interview with Hal Jordan. I think it is a stroke of genius to depict Hal as among a "middle generation" of heroes. I also enjoy the fact he doesn't wear a mask (to avoid that infamous line in the 2011 film). But I dislike the fact Alan Scott is not mentioned. Did the JSA exist or not? So far, we have heroes scattered throughout history, but seemingly no community infrastructure. Have teams existed before or not?
Regardless, Lanterns depicts a lived-in history.
I also enjoyed the colorful heroes in a mundane setting. I am a Bronze Ager, and I remember those books always having a colorful heroes in mundane library, small town, or rural areas. Their costumes and presence popped.
The Bad: Young Hal is not Maverick from Top Gun. If I could describe Hal to anyone, I would say just watch the Top Gun films. Chandler's Hal is already a grumpy granny by the the time he gets the interview.
John's father is nuts like in the comics. However, that William Tell style scene has me asking, "How does this Dark Age of Comics angle generate a hero?" Seems more fitting of an Image anti-hero's origin. Is John's dad Joe Jackson on more powerful crazy pills? Or is it edgy for edgy's sake?
I also noticed John has two brothers here and not a single sister. I think this was done to mirror Hal for some reason as Hal (at least in the comics) has two brothers.
The Green: I think Hal will become Parallax. In the comics, when age afflicted Hal (remember the gray temples?), he became an angry person. And that was before the Rebirth retcon. After the Retcon, Hal's vanity made him fearful and prone to Parallax infection. He might get info on Parallax from Sinestro during that Silence of the Lambs scene. Parallax must factor since the ring has YELLOW all over it.
Bottom Line: Cannot wait to watch.
2 weeks ago (edited) | [YT] | 6
View 1 reply
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