TediVillasor.com

The passing of an artist

July 3, 2010.

Michael Turner (right) and I pose for a photo during the Wizard World Los Angeles Convention in 2006.

How time flies when you are busy with the everyday happenings that make up one’s life.

I am no different.

Well, as I was going about some research online, I was suddenly reminded of the 2nd death anniversary of Aspen MLT Inc. founder Michael Turner.

Here is a tribute I wrote two years ago.

In Memory of Michael Layne Turner (April 21, 1971 – June 27, 2008)

Michael Turner.

Much has already been detailed with his eight-year battle with chondrosarcoma, so this tribute would basically be one that celebrates his life.

Cover of Supergirl #1 (2005) by Michael Turner.

Early history

From what I recall, Turner and a family member took a year off (commonly known as a “gap year” in the United States) before entering college to pursue medicine.  The duo decided to move closer to the beach as Turner had a loved being around water despite living all the way in Crossville, Tennessee.  During this time, the pair waited on tables to make ends meet and soaked up the sun and waves whenever they could.

Eventually, Turner–a gifted artist– turned to the comic book industry to provide supplementary income.  He eventually dropped out from school and immersed himself in his craft.  Among his most notable works at this stage of his career was the co-creation, covers, and interiors of Top Cow’s Witchblade.

By the turn of the century, Turner had gone full circle and founded his own company–Aspen MLT Inc. which was bannered by several of his creations: Ekos, Soulfire, and Fathom—the latter being a story of a heroine who is constantly in the water.

Fathom was one of Michael Turner’s finest creations.  It is also possible that he may have lived vicariously through her (Fathom) as cancer treatments had left him unable to engage in his true passion—surfing and diving.

My signed Michael Turner and Jim Lee Jam Cover from the Wizard Millennium Edition: Michael Turner.

In 2004, Turner signed several deals with giants D.C. Comics and Marvel Comics to either write, do cover illustrations, or interiors of some of the industries most popular characters: Superman, Batman, The Flash, Wonder Woman, Captain America, Spider-Man, Wolverine, etc.  Turner was also responsible for bringing back into continuity Kara Zor-El, who is better known as Supergirl.

Meeting the man

In 2006, I had the opportunity to meet Michael Turner at the Wizard World Tour in Los Angeles, California.  The lines were long, our meeting was brief, but in that short time, he was gracious and generous—signing everything that I brought—including the Turner inspired Supergirl shirt I was wearing.

Michael Turner passed away yesterday at the Santa Monica Hospital in California due to complications brought about by his bout with cancer.

He was 37.

Michael Layne Turner (April 21, 1971 – June 27, 2008).

Clayface from the Toys R' Us Exclusive DC Universe Clayface vs Batman/Fists of Clay Box Set

It took awhile but I was finally able to find the time to update my planned Villasor Collection website.

Thank you Flash and Tumblr.com for helping me get this “work in progress” started.

Category: Movies (Direct-to-video)
Genre: Animation

You can only imagine how many comic books I bought when this guy "died."

14 years after—arguably—the most publicized and grieved “death” in the comic book industry, comes the first PG-13 direct-to-video animated adaptation of “The Death of Superman” entitled Superman/Doomsday.

Directed by Lauren Montgomery, Brandon Vietti, and Bruce Timm (the latter who was also responsible for other animated projects such as: Batman: The Animated Series, Superman: The Animated Series, The New Batman Adventures, Batman Beyond, Justice League, and Justice League Unlimited), Superman/Doomsday is an unprecedented animated movie having been conveyed a PG-13 rating by the Motion Picture Association of America for its action violence. Superman/Doomsday pushes the envelope in its interpretation of the death of the Man of Steel, his rebirth, and eventual ascension back as the guardian of the city of Metropolis.

Actors James Marsters (Buffy The Vampire Slayer) and Adam Baldwin (Turistas) take over from Superman: The Animated Series voice talents’ Clancy Brown and Tim Daly and give a “new voice” to the maniacal and cunning Lex Luthor and Superman. Actress Anne Heche (Six Days Seven Nights; Psycho (1998); and Men In Trees) seems to also hold her own as reporter Lois Lane.

Overall, if you are willing to divest yourselves from established comic book cannon, this DVD is highly recommended!

—————-
Now playing: Hiromi’s Sonicbloom – Softly As In A Morning Sunrise
via FoxyTunes

Category: Books
Genre: Comics & Graphic Novels
Author: Bruce Jones
Artist: Sean Murphy

Batman: Scarecrow Year One is a must read for any Batman fan

Published simultaneously with “Batman: Ra’s Ah-Ghul Year One” to coincide with the release of Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins (which featured the aforementioned Batman arch villains). Batman: Scarecrow Year One is brilliantly illustrated by Sean Murphy and masterfully written by Bruce Jones, who takes his readers on a journey into the origins of dishonored Dr. Jonathan Keeny Crane as well as insight into the recesses of the Dynamic Duo’s fears.

Jones lends his expansive vocabulary and wit to Jonathan Keeny Crane aka “The Scarecrow” (who uses words and terms throughout the two books such as “elliptical ways,” “darkly introspective,” “bevy,” “emancipated whelp,” “furtive,” “digress,” “implausible,” “erudite,” and “debauchery” just to name a few) which I have not seen since Bob Kane’s Batman stories, the 1960’s Adam West and Burt Ward Batman television show, and Mark Waid’s and Alex Ross’ “Kingdom Come.”

I also enjoyed the interplay between the Dark Knight and the Boy Wonder, with the latter truly being a “Watson” to the former (“Homes”) in the eyes of Jones. Subtle humor could also be seen throughout the books as Batman playfully treats Robin as just that—a boy.

Batman: Scarecrow Year One’s Robin could be no older than 17-year’s old (based on his “advances” to a receptionist under the guise of “The Hammer”), but Jones gives Robin insight beyond his years (“garrulous mood,” “immaculate,” “aboretum,” and “visceral guilt” are just some the words in Robin’s equally expansive vocabulary) based on a number of references to his training under the tutelage of The Batman (“What’s the FIRST thing I taught you, Robin?” said Batman. He then added, “Everything’s a clue…no matter how insignificant.”)

Batman: Scarecrow Year One is a must read for any Batman fan—new and old. It involves very few of the familiar “Bam!” “Pow!” and “Splat!” fisticuffs as it focuses on traditional detective work which only Caped Crusaders can provide.

—————-
Now playing: Michael Jackson – Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’
via FoxyTunes

Series: Batman: The Animated Series (1992)
Episode: “Beware The Grey Ghost” (Season 1, Episode 18)
Original Air Date: November 4, 1992

The Grey Ghost (Adam West) meets The Batman (Kevin Conroy)

“Beware The Grey Ghost” (Episode #18) is featured on Volume One of Batman: The Animated Series (DC Comics Classic Collection) (1992) DVD.

After a series of unexplained yet blatant acts of arson, The Dark Knight awakes with memories of a television program that “he and his father” would stay up and watch during his youth—The Grey Ghost.

The following morning as Bruce Wayne, The Batman investigates this lead and enlists the assistance of a reluctant Simon Trent—who was the fictional actor that played The Grey Ghost (voiced by Adam West). With Trent’s help, The Batman discovers that an episode of The Grey Ghost (entitled “The Mad Bomber”) bore uncanny similarities to the Gotham City arsonist.

From there, the clues begin to fall into place and lead the duo of Batman and Trent (now clad in his Grey Ghost costume) straight to their adversary (voiced by Batman: The Animated Series creator Bruce Timm), whom they eventually bring to justice.

This is one episode of Batman: The Animated Series that I can never get tired of watching as it not only gives fans a glimpse of Bruce Wayne’s childhood, but also reveals a more human side to The Dark Knight.

Yes. Even The Batman had his idols.

—————-
Now playing: Tears For Fears – Pale Shelter
via FoxyTunes

Series: The Batman (2004)
Episode: “Vertigo” (Season 5, Episode 55)
Original Air Date: October 6, 2007
Date Watched: January 1, 2008 (DVD)

Green Arrow and Batman take the Batmobile for a spin

Characters:

Usual Suspects:

Alfred and Robin

Origins:

Oliver Queen/Green Arrow and Count Vertigo

Baddies:

Count Vertigo and his Vertigo resistant henchmen

Cameos:

Oliver Queen

Key Events:

Star City’s Green Arrow (another rich boy’s) very convenient origin episode that seems to pay tribute to Robert Zemeckis’ “Cast Away.” Wherein Oli, stranded on some desolate island (with absolute nothing to do it seems), develops an extraordinary talent for wielding a bow.

Is it just me, or does everyone now seem to know the connection between Bruce and Batman? First Alfred (and in Episode 51, it turns out that Lucious was in on it as well), Barbara Gordon/Batgirl, Dick Grayson/Robin, Detective J’onn J’onzz/The Martian Manhunter (read Batman’s mind), Clark Kent/Superman (used his X-ray vision), and now Oliver Queen/Green Arrow (Made the association after seeing Alfred in The Cave).

Brief synopsis:

In The Brave and Bold comic book fashion, The Batman (and Robin) team up with Green Arrow to bring Count Vertigo to justice.

—————-
Now playing: Seryoga – Liberty City: The Invasion
via FoxyTunes

Series: The Batman (2004)
Episode: “The Batman/Superman Story” (Season 5, Episode 53 & 54)
Original Air Date: September 22, 2007 (Episode 1); September 29, 2007 (Episode 2)
Date Watched: January 1, 2008 (DVD)

The World's Finest = Batman/Superman

Characters:

Usual Suspects:

Lucious Fox and Robin

Origins:

Robin’s Jetpack and The new Bat-Bot

Baddies:

Lex Luthor, Mercy Graves, Ariel Wireless Transmitters (AWT), and Lex’s own personal “Daddy” AWT.

Cameos:

Metallo, Clark Kent, Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane, Black Mask, Bane, The New Clayface, Mr. Freeze, and Poison Ivy.

Key Events:

Batman’s idea of trusting others in his fight against crime becomes more evident. Superman uses his X-Ray vision to “unmask” Batman. He also entrusts Metallo’s Kryptonite to Batman and reconsidered his decision to join the Justice League at the end of the episode.

Brief synopsis:

Batman and a Ivy/Lex controlled Superman face off (Inspired by Lee and Loeb’s “Hush”? And Miller’s “Dark Knight Returns”). The World’s Greatest Detective discovers the secret identity of Superman by consolidating (The Daily Planet and Metropolis Garden Apartments) the “supersonic disturbances” generated by the Man of Steel himself (All to easy). Lois doesn’t think much of Clark, yet they live an apartment away from each other (Lois resides in Apartment #1009, while Clark’s is at #1011)

Robin’s “Asta la Vista, Baby” along with Metallo’s exposed hand in the garbage compactor pays tribute to James Cameron’s Terminator 2.

—————-
Now playing: Michael Hunter – Soviet Connection (The Theme From Grand Theft Auto IV)
via FoxyTunes

Series: The Batman (2004)
Episode: Two of a Kind (Season 4, Episode 47)
Original Air Date: February 24, 2007
Date Watched: December 28, 2007 (Cartoon Network)

The duo of Bruce Timm and Paul Dini created Harley Quinn/Dr. Harleen Quinzel for Batman The Animated Series

Harley Quinn/Dr. Harleen Quinzel Creator and Writer Paul Dini takes control once again of the character that he created (along with fellow Batman: The Animated Series Creator and Writer Bruce Timm) fifteen years ago by retelling her origin in the episode “Two of a Kind.”

Quinzel (Hynden Walch) is a television psychologist this time around (a step back from her days as a psychiatrist in Batman: The Animated Series (1992)) who is humiliated by the live cancellation of her talk show. This catastrophic event leaves Quinzel longing for an opportunity to redeem herself to the public by writing a “tell all” book on The Joker.

The Joker takes Quinzel (guised now as Harley Quinn) “on a night out in Gotham” in order for her to observe his pathology. Chaos then ensues before The Batman, Robin, and Batgirl finally intervene and avert the dastardly plans of The Joker and Harley Quinn.

Harley Quinn/Dr. Harleen Quinzel:

Inspired by Paul Dini’s love for the character of Calliope Jones (Arleen Sorkin) on television series Days of our Lives, Dini invites Sorkin to voice Harley Quinn–The first and only Batman: The Animated Series character to make the transition from celluloid to comics.

—————-
Now playing: Shirley Walker – Batman Beyond End Credits
via FoxyTunes

“Madness is like gravity. All you need is a little push.” – The Joker (Heath Ledger)

Who is Harvey Dent?

District Attorney Harvey Dent is famously known as Gotham City's White Knight

A newly appointed public servant. Gotham City’s new District Attorney. And who can forget, the scourge of the underworld (with a good right cross)—Gotham City’s “White Knight.”

But there is more.

After watching Christopher Nolan’s second take on the Batman film franchise, the Dent topic made its rounds at the dinner table.

Who is Harvey Dent?

“Easy enough.” I said to myself, before addressing everyone at our current square-table discussion.

“Dent’s (Aaron Eckhart) love for the law is unparalleled in a world (Gotham) that reeks of corruption from every level. He is Gotham City’s “White Knight”—a public symbol of hope to the oppressed. But all that changed with the loss of his significant other (Rachel Dawes portrayed by actress Maggie Gyllenhaal) as well as his facial disfigurement.”

I then added, “From that point on, Dent’s sense of justice was skewed. He was also unable to reach even the most basic of decisions without consulting his father’s lucky coin as Dent believed, “chance is the only true justice, because it is fair.””

I believe in Harvey Dent! Bah! Politics!

Then my aunt offered another perspective.

“Hubris” she said.

Hubris is the ancient Greek term used “to indicate overweening pride, self-confidence, superciliousness, or arrogance, often resulting in fatal retribution.”

My aunt then continued, “The downfall of Harvey Dent was because he believed too much in his own press release. Much like the fallen angel, Lucifer, in Judaism and Christian belief—Dent felt that he could do it all by himself. That he didn’t need anyone’s help.”

My aunt was right; Dent was solely responsible in persecuting Salvatore Vincent “Sal” Maroni (Eric Roberts) and his mid-to-low level cohorts. He was also repeatedly warned by Gotham City Mayor Anthony Garcia (Nestor Carbonell) that because of his recent exploits, those on the wrong side of the law would stop at nothing to smear his good name. In response, Dent seemingly brushed the Mayor’s warnings aside and said that he was up to the task.

This was one movie that certainly didn't need a viral marketing campaign

We all know how that turned out.

In the end, the portraits of Dent overlooking Commissioner James “Jim” Gordon (Gary Oldman) give viewers and idea as to his fate.

Harvey Dent’s reputation remains intact and in his death, he serves as Gotham’s enduring symbol against tyranny.

Thanks to the sacrifices of his friends.

My aunt was right.

No man can be an island…even if they really wanted to.

—————-
Now playing: Prince – Electric Chair
via FoxyTunes