FUNNIEST COMIC IN L.A CONTEST IS BACK AND I’M A GLUTTON FOR PUNISHMENT

Yes good people the contest is back and of course i will be in it. This contest displays some of the best up and coming comedians in the business, all trying to get the title as funniest comic in L.A.

There are Two categories: “Two- Year and Under” and “Headliner”

yours truly will be in the Headliner so come on out and laugh for me… even if you find my jokes boring laugh dammit.

hope to see yall at the prelims.

AT THE NEXT DOOR LOUNGE IN HOLLYWOOD, 8pm May 8th
1154 N. Highland Ave. Between Sunset and Santa Monica. Right at Lexington.

Ultimate Spiderman Series (First Impression)

Now I must say I was excited to see the Ultimate Spiderman series.  Even though I’m incredibly sad to see The Spectacular Spiderman Series (sniff sniff… I’m ok I’m ok ) go away I still have high hopes… Be strong Bell… Be strong

 

Well true believers after watching the first two episodes of the series I’m not at all impressed… actually that’s not accurate. I’m annoyed. This show is done in the style of the Teen Titans Show (with a protein boost) very Animesk. The animation is also a lot more detailed, when compared to Spectacular Spiderman, which comes with the flaw of the action scenes not being nearly as impressive as it’s predecessor.

Now I never thought I would ever say this about Spiderman, but there is too much banter… I know, I know for Spiderman there can never be too much banter. Well sorry folks, but there is, there’s not just banter in Spidey’s fights but also in dialogue… with EVERYBODY. There is not a serious bone in the entire show. They don’t even get serious when they refer to Uncle Ben. Everyone has something funny (well… what the writers thought would be funny) or quirky to say. Even Nick Fury is cracking wise. If there is one character in all of Marvel that is meant to be serious it’s Nick F@$king Fury. Every character is exactly the same. Oh and you will only notice this for the five minutes Spidey talks to the characters. Which he barely does. Hope you like breaking the fourth wall cause Spidey is talking to you. No inner dialogue to himself like he has always. No, no he’s talking to you ladies and gents and he does not shut the hell up. I feel like a Spiderman villain cause I want him to die just so he will stop talking to me.

The final flaw is the blatent merchandising. Remember when shows had to be a little clever with putting crap in their show so they can make a toy out of it. Ha shuttelty what’s that? Parents will be forced to buy a high tech shield made web shooter for their little tax deductions. And guess what kids, they brought back modern versions of the spider-mobile “THE SPIDER CYCLE” (you know the concept that was too dumb for the comic book world, well it’s back better then ever)

All I have left to say is if these first two episodes are a sign of things to come, my interest in this show will not go much further. All I can hope for is that the show will gradually get better and attempt to be half as good as Spectacular Spiderman ( a show in which I feel is one of the best comic book series ever created… sniff sniff there I go again)

You know what? It’s Friday. I’ll hold this article until Sunday, after episode three airs… Hey I might be wrong

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Nope still sucks. See you next time

 

Eric Bell is a comedian and screenwriter based out of Los Angeles. He is the producer for the animated series, 24 Frames. Follow his blog at bellcomedy.com, and on Twitter at @bellcomedy.

I’m Just Saying… Something New

I’m Just Saying Surprise Me

Look I love comic book movies. I love movies based off of books, even the ones off of old TV shows (except Starsky & Hutch, A-Team, Charlie’s Angels 1&2, Dukes of Hazard, Mission Impossible 1&2, G.I Joe, and Transformers 1 2 and 3). But is it too much to ask for movie producers to give us something more… you know… like an original screen play. Must they continuously rely on old reused storylines and slap some new paint on it. Don’t get me wrong, I love a lot of the movies that have come out based off of other forms of entertainment. All I’m saying is that it would be nice to see a screenplay that originally was that, a screenplay (a piece of work which was created for the single purpose to be on the big screen.)

Now I’m not saying that I want to see completely original storylines and ideas (cause the term “Simpsons did it” is very much true) every storyline has been done but what makes it original is when a writer who follows the plot we have all seen and proceeds to take chances, doesn’t use the same old clichés, throws in a twist, creates unique characters; ones we are not use to seeing. In other words the writer makes it his/her own. And those movies are out there but they are not given even a minute level of publicity or financial backing as our “Book Movie of the Week”. Is it a risk in the eyes of the ones putting in millions of dollars… possibly. But by God it will be something new. I’m sick of watching a movie where I already know or can guess the ending because I saw the original, read the book, read the comic or used to watch the old TV show. I mean if the producers of the A-Team decided to put their money in a original screen play, which I’m sure they had at the bottom of their desk, not only would they have made a much better movie, we all would have been spared seeing Quinton Jackson as B.A (I still have nightmares)

“But Bell,” you say “in time we will see it, after the comic book, book, and TV show movies runs its course. Entertainment will adjust and we will get more of a balance.” Yes, but at what cost? How many more Twilight, Superman Returns and Transformer movies must come out before it’s enough?

So if there are any major producers out there who fell asleep at their computer and are somehow on this website. HEAR ME… Please put out something new, I’m not saying stop what you’re doing entirely, but just give me something to watch for the rest of the year and pay for a commercial or two so I know it exists.

I’m Eric Bell And I’m Just Saying

Eric Bell is a comedian and screenwriter based out of Los Angeles. He is the producer for the animated series, 24 Frames. Follow his blog at bellcomedy.com, and on Twitter at @bellcomedy.

“I’M JUST SAYING” GUY HAS FUN AT WONDERCON

Salutations Bored Web Browser
Well fellow geeks as you have guessed the Gamefob crew and I went to Wondercon. And you’re probably wondering what I did while I was there
Take notes on unique and enlightening panels on the intricacies of the comic book world? Neh
Interview the incredible talent and minds behind some of the most interesting classic and new comic books? Maybe next time
Buy a variety of overpriced but cool geek crap? Not so much
Run down cosplayers and ask them awkward questions, while filming? Oh hell yes

Click the link and enjoy

I\’m Just Saying Guy at WonderCon

Mass Effect 3 Review (Spoiler)

 

 

I have been asked by the good people of Gamefob to give my review of Mass Effect 3. Now you might be thinking that I only review and give columns in regards to comic books and comic book movies, which is true. So you are now asking yourself why the hell am I reviewing a big title game like Mass Effect 3. Well all I can say is that the people of Gamefob are very persuasive and I owe them a lot of money.

I will attempt not to give too many spoilers, but be warned spoilers are in here. But let’s be honest, if you’re playing Mass Effect 3 you are sooo into Commander Shepard. And I’m right there with you folks, been with this guy for five years.

So first I’m going to give the positives of the game. The gameplay is perfect, more moves, and a more Gears of War cover and shoot style of gameplay. The story is 90% perfect, it brings the entire epic full circle; characters encountered and decisions you made in the previous games come back to reward or bite you in the ass. Now I did carry over my character from the previous games in which I played a complete paragon; none of my guys died in part 2, Wrex lived in part 1 and Kaiden was sacrificed in part 1 (and let’s be honest you all got him killed, he was as interesting as the straight edge guy at a bachelor party)

You also no longer have the luxury of waiting behind covers and picking off the enemy, they will charge you and flank you, forcing you out of your cover, giving the game a much higher level of difficulty than you’re used to in Mass Effect. Not so much in the area of boss fights, you get more “intense” waves of tough Cerberus soldiers or husk than your standard large bad guy boss fight.

Bugs… dear god the bugs. Even though I have to understand that this is an incredibly loaded game, and as gamers know the more content a game has the higher the likelihood of spontaneous cussing at your frozen screen. One play through the game froze on me three times, and had a side quest that wouldn’t allow me to complete it. I also wasn’t able to import my previous character’s face (now I’m sure all of these issues will be fixed in the upcoming batch, which are sure to come. But annoying is annoying no matter how understanding the gamer is.

Ok here’s a major spoiler… the ending SUCKS, like I cursed the name EA to the highest mountain. I denied knowing Commander Shepard three times. Because I have worked for five years to create a perfect beacon of paragon awesomeness and what’s my ending? Three choices. That’s right boys and girls, they don’t care if you worked your ass of to be the perfect renegade, paragon, or bad ass neutral you all get the incredibly lazy ending of pick one of the three endings and you’re done… and to top it off after you pick one of the endings NOTHING HAPPENS, you get a random action scene of random soldiers. You have no idea what happens to Shepard or any of the other characters. You know, the ones you bust your ass to get and keep alive for the past three games.

 

Does Shepard live? Not answering that question.

 

Who is Harbinger really? Keep guessing.

 

Am I going to get any type of an epilogue? Wait for a DLC BITCH BWAHAHAHAHA!!!!

 

All in all this game was worth the money… But only if you have played the other games and you want to complete the collection. I know the people of EA assured you that this game was able to stand alone, you didn’t have to play the originals to enjoy this one (COMPLETE LIE). And I’m sorry to say good folks but Mass Effect 2 was a vastly superior game. Sure the multiplayer is fun and engaging and the actual story gameplay is captivating up until the ending (about 30 hours of gameplay). I repeat, if you are at all invested in the story, you will be incredibly disappointed. In the end all I have to say is try not breaking anything once you see it and just wait patiently for a D.L.C which damn well better give a more satisfying ending to the Shepard story arc.

Hope you enjoyed reading my review as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Until next time

Your equally as Cynical and bored Geek

Eric Bell

 

Eric Bell is a comedian and screenwriter based out of Los Angeles. He is the producer for the animated series, 24 Frames. Follow his blog at bellcomedy.com, and on Twitter at @bellcomedy.

Zombie, Robot, Alien and Nuclear: Our chances?

 

We have all discussed it, we have all dreamt about it. Our more creepy friends have devised specific survival strategies on it. I am of course speaking of our likelihood of survival if the apocalypse comes. And I’m not talking revelation, the coming of the Anti-Christ apocalypse… no no I mean the cool apocalypse the one you want to survive through so you can be that bad ass with the patch and scars telling the tale. So here is my breakdown of the individual and society’s chances of surviving the Robot, Alien, Nuclear, or Zombie Apocalypse

Robot Apocalypse

Damn you Sky Net. Look what you have done. Well true believers it has finally happened, your I-Phone hates you and it has been waiting for the right time to strike and the time is now. Mr. Jetson was just brutally murdered by Rosie with a spork. Now you’re in the local grocery store grabbing supplies. But all is not bleak here people. Because in this scenario there is one thing that is at your advantage, human camaraderie, more so than in any of the other types of apocalypse scenarios humans always come together when the robots take control. So count on others in this time of need, that loner crap will only get you killed.

For the various apocalypse water and food are a given, and money means nothing now. But in the Robot one so do small arms (all you’re going to do is piss them off) unless that handgun is a 44. magnum it’s useless. And mechanics are gods now. As in any apocalypse scenario doctors are extremely necessary. And every other occupation has now become obsolete. I hope that computer science degree looks good on your wall because that’s all it will be doing. You’re not going to out-hack a living computer, so get to running Nick Burns.

Who would have thought the Amish had it right. Pennsylvania is humans last stronghold, far from technology and all things fun the Amish have been left untouched and if you can make it there you may live to see another day. And if you can’t get there and mountain areas around you, be wary about going into caves, there are a lot of nasty things to inhale that will kill you before the robots do.

If you think we will one day beat the machines, sorry kid, not gonna happen. Look at every movie about the robots taking over. “Victory” is human not going extinct, but we never win when robots rise up, they are here to stay. Convincing the robot that its logic is flawed so it self-destructs because it “can’t compute” is not going to work.

Alien Invasion

Aliens have landed because our Earth has a valuable asset… plastic, and we will die before we give that up. All followers of scientology were killed for the simple sake of not hearing an “I told ya so” but we call that acceptable losses. Its hard to tell how many we lost in the first bombardment, they’ve had spies within our society for years… no one was really shocked when Lady Gaga revealed herself.

If you want to survive, standing together is vital but be cautious, many people have been enslaved by the aliens and some are willing to betray you if they feel they would be spared.  But some chances must be taken and if you want to live through this you must find the resistance and fight those green bastards to the end.

Nuclear Fallout

Now there are a lot of different ones so lets go with the Fallout world. Ok Vault 101 kid. The world is pretty messed up. On top of it being damn near impossible to find clean water now you have to deal with raiders, cannibals, and mutants. If you don’t have and don’t know how to use a gun it doesn’t matter cause you’re already dead. Interestingly a lot more things have become valuable, for instance books. Forms of entertainment have and always will be forms of escape and people need it. So Stephanie Meyers is actually useful (no one remembers her books are crap, so trade it for a bottle of water before the guy skims through it).

Find a little stretch of civilization and pick up a useful trade: gunsmith, mechanic, doctor, anything that would give a raider pause. So instead of killing you and taking all of your stuff, they’ll just take you and make you their slave… hey do what you gotta do.

Zombie Apocalypse

You have actually been waiting for this moment; you’ve memorized strategy guides. You’ve read Max Brook’s World War Z so many times you’ve committed it to memory. And you are ready… actually no your not. I know what you’re thinking, grab your machete and a gun and you will find a way. First thing, the gun? You don’t have a silencer and if you do I don’t want to know where the hell you got it. So the moment you use it you’re dead cause you will alert the whole pack and I bet you think you can get a perfect head shot. Oh aren’t you cute… have you ever been to the shooting range? I have and let me tell you 15 yards away, a paper target that’s not moving is hard as shit to hit in the head. So put the gun down Mr. Harrowlson and get to running. Be quiet, don’t stay in one place for too long, and if you’re lucky maybe you can get yourself to a Costco or a prison that has already been cleared out to set up shop. You are not trying to wipe them out, you are trying to survive, so if you attempt to take them on your gonna be lunch.

And by the way, everything I just said on what you would have to do if the Zombie Apocalypse comes only applies to the zombies like the ones in the Walking Dead or in World War Z: slow, moaning zombies. Now, if we are talking Dawn of the Dead RUNNING zombies none of my tips matter cause you are sooo dead.

Well there you have it. I will let you good people decide your chances. Good luck out there.

 

Eric Bell is a comedian and screenwriter based out of Los Angeles. He is the producer for the animated series, 24 Frames. Follow his blog at bellcomedy.com, and on Twitter at @bellcomedy.

Justice League Doom: Review

 

“Justice League: Doom” is another one of the straight to DVD DC comic book movies. Doom is the story of Vandal Savage uncovering detailed plans on how to neutralize each member of the JLA. Plans created by Batman.

Salutation Bored Web-browsers
Have to be honest with you guys, when I heard about the Justice League: Doom movie I got excited. When I heard it was the old crew from the Batman, Superman, and Justice League cartoons, I became ecstatic. When I heard Malcolm Reynolds was voicing Green Lantern I sacrificed a small goat ( yes I know his real name is Nathan Fill.. Oh Who gives a fuck its Captain Reynolds )

Needless to say I was extremely excited to not only watch this movie. But also review it.
And now comes the problem with this scenario. If I review a movie I have to be willing to be harsh, rip it a new one, and can I do that to the crew I grew up to love? Can I speak ill of these people’s work? So after sitting down and watching both Batman/Superman: Public Enemies and Apocolypse, I found my cynical mind and am now ready to take on Justice League: Doom.

And here’s my next problem, it’s good. I’m serious true believers, this is a good movie. Sure it’s not New Frontier good but it’s far from Batman: Year One (thankfully). They use the same animation as the Crisis on Two Earth movie and the Young Justice series, which makes for incredible action scenes. The pacing flows brilliantly and there is absolutely no padding, every scene is important to the central story. But there were a couple of aspects within the movie which could have been expanded on.

Heroes
I was extremely impressed with how they handled the heroes; Batman comes off extremely human, so you understand the underline reasoning for his skill, drive and miraculous intellect, and why he felt the need in creating the plans to destroy the League. They even take extra time to give a little more detail with the heroe’s secret identity. You almost never see it in their movies or even the series for that matter. Every hero is touched on very well… With the one exception of Wonder Woman which was mostly due to her lack of screen time ( which is so minimal she could have been taken out of the movie and nothing would’ve been lost) but this seems to be due to the consistent flaw that is in every single one of the straight to DVD DC movies ( its only 70 DAMN minutes) which is fine if you’re doing a single hero story ( like Under the Red Hood) but when it’s more than one hero, it’s too short and someone is left out.

Villians

This problem also pours on over to the villains motivation, which there is none. Hope you like the “I’m a bad guy so I will kill you” motive, cause that’s what you’re getting. Which is very disappointing from the crew who gave me Crisis on Two Earths. Where the villains motives echoed the writings of Jorge Borges’ “The Garden of Forking Paths” (yes I read more than comics). A story that was both unique and captivating. So when you give me the cliche “destroy the world” motive I feel cheated.
Now these are of course little nitpicks, nothing deal breaking to make it bad. Which is why I suggest you buy this movie when it releases on February 28th. It deserves to be a part of your collection.
I feel the need to end with this: The fact that Dwayne McDuffie has died and this was his last work brings a tear to my eyes because he has once again shown great writing skill and wrote quality fiction with some of my favorite heroes. I feel incredibly lucky to have been growing up as he was writing the cartoons geared toward my generation. I feel sorry for the next writer, for the fact that McDuffie has set the bar incredibly high. I am incredibly grateful to have seen the bulk of his work. He will be missed.

Rest in Peace Dwayne McDuffie

Your equally as bored and cynical geek
Eric Bell

 

Eric Bell is a comedian and screenwriter based out of Los Angeles. He is the producer for the animated series, 24 Frames. Follow his blog at bellcomedy.com, and on Twitter at @bellcomedy.

I’m Just Saying: Something is Off

I’M JUST SAYING
In lieu of the numerous photos (which I spent way too much time looking at) posted by Joe T in regards to the Disney princesses and princes. My mind began to take me back to my childhood, in the time of the Disney Renaissance. And I discovered something pivotal about my Disney characters… all of the Disney male villains are gay. And I don’t mean; the into another guy gay…No no that’s cool. I mean over the rainbow, Lady Gaga fan club, BROADWAY FABULOUS GAY!!!. Don’t believe me? Let’s take a trip back into time with the most iconic villains in my opinion of the Disney renaissance era.

 

Up first is Ursula “Whoa Whoa wait one minute there Bell. Ursula is a woman”… no she’s not. I ask you how many woman come to mind when you see Ursula
Don’t worry I’ll wait
…
…
Exactly.
Now how many drag queens come to mind? The entire first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race just flashed in front of my eyes.

Next Gaston, now yes he claims he’s in love with Belle and he has all the woman falling over him. But let’s look at it again. He’s very into self hygiene. Spends an incredible amount of time on his hair and body and goes after the one girl who everyone knows is not putting out. Gaston is not just in the closet, he’s smothering in it.

Number three is Jafar. And it’s not just because he dresses like he could give Prince, Elton John, and the Pope a run for their money in extravagance. But do you remember that scene when Jasmine kisses Jafar to distract him. It wasn’t just disgusting for us to look at. But take a gander at Jafar’s eyes.

Deep down he’s actually saying “Girl Please!? You ain’t all that.”

And finally Scar. Now my brother protest that Scar doesn’t count because he’s a cat. And I say “No, he does” one he’s the only cat rocking eye liner and two when he kills Mufasa and drives Simba away, he should be in his den with a team of lionesses. Instead what is he doing? Chilling with a rainbow bird and singing show tunes… I rest my case
I’m Eric Bell and I’m just saying.

Top 5 Characters That Should Have Stayed Dead

Salutations Bored Web-Browsers

Death is a funny thing in the comic book world. In most entertainment the heroes death is a tragic end to the glorious champion whose final breath were in battle for his/her people or in the attempts to save a small child. In the comic book world it’s more like getting suspended from work, because you know he’ll return someday. However there are characters within this world that did us a great service with leaving and their return is not welcomed at all. So here are my top 5 characters that should have stayed dead.

#5) Scott Lang (a.k.a Ant Man)

 

Was there really a calling in the comic book world to bring this guy back? For those of you who don’t know Scott Lang met his end in the first issue of Avengers: Disassembled. Where the Scarlet Witch has a mental breakdown and her reality warping powers begin to create scenarios that cause the death or near death of all of her friends. The first being Scott Lang whose death is not only unsuspected, but is in no way glorious. He becomes collateral damage due to an explosion, his charred body displayed in front of his friends sets the reader into the mindset that any one of their favorite heroes can die. This was a brilliant change of pace from the standard formula we have been spoon fed countless times; villain shows up, hero fights, and hero wins… not this time.

(Avengers: Disassembled Vol. 1)

However, in the recent issues of Avengers: The Children’s Crusade, Scott Lang returns, due to his child and her friend messing around in the past. And all I have to say is… WHY???? Did you really need to bring back Ant Man Number 2… I’m still waiting for you to kill Ant Man Number One. Gertrude from the Runaways dies and stays dead but Scott Lang gets another shot… that’s just not fair.

#4) Jason Todd (a.k.a Red Hood)

Now Jason just barely makes this list. Mostly due to the fact that I actually like what DC has done to him since he has returned. For those of you who don’t know Jason Todd is the second Robin, who dies at the hands of the Joker, he later comes back to life because Superboy-Prime alters reality (just go with it) and after having a dip into the Lazarus Pit becomes a vigilante who kills criminals and is incredibly infuriated by how Batman hasn’t killed the Joker yet. Now I actually have to applaud this character change. It not only possesses the question if this mindset of Jason is due to the trauma of his resurrection? Or is it the inevitable conclusion that he would have come to? And because of this story arc we received one of DC’s best animated movies Batman: Under The Red Hood… that hyper link I just did… click on it and watch that scene… it’s awesome.

(Batman: Death in the Family)

But despite what they’ve done with Jason. They took away what his death symbolized: Batman’s failure. Something he will never live down, something that he was in a couple of ways outright responsible for. Unlike his parents death, where he couldn’t do anything. This was a situation he could’ve prevented and it is his fault that Jason met his end at such a young age.

#3) Batman (a.k.a Bruce Wayne)

 

Now I know that DC’s new 52 would like us to forgive and forget The Final Crisis… But no, you sit there and you take it. Now if you’ve never read the crisis, one of the most pivotal moments of the story arc is Batman having a confrontation with Darkseid. Where not only has Batman figured out the whole grand scheme (as he always does) but has brought with him one of the only weapons that can kill Darkseid. Batman uses the weapon and mortally wounds Darkseid, but loses his life in the process. Now understand what just happen. Batman… one of the very few heroes with absolutely no powers, just skill, brains, and a will that is second to none…battles one of the most powerful villains in the DC world ( one that kicked Superman’s ass) and not only fights him but proceeds to kill Darkseid with a gun… LIKE A BOSS

(Final Crisis Issue 6)
But like always DC put a quick spin on this story and simply threw Batman in the past. This way he can eventually come back and continue his life as the Dark Knight. The status quo remained and everything we experienced didn’t even matter.

#2) Aunt May

Now you’re probably wondering why sweet old Aunt May is on this list. Well you may not know this but Aunt May died three times in the comics, and has never actually been killed… Confusing? Yes it is. Am I going to explain that? Absolutely not. Why? Because I don’t have that kind of time and you don’t have that kind of patience.

(Amazing Spiderman #538)

Now I know having a civilian side character on this list seems overly harsh but Aunt May does a lot more harm than good. She maintains that status quo of Spiderman’s life: The consistent scenarios of either Peter running around keeping his secret from his aunt or always having to rely on her when his life breaks him down. This all prevents Peter from any type of growth.
The sad truth is if we want Peter Parker to truly grow up the old broad has gotta go.
And not for nothing, if they did truly kill off Aunt May the One More Day story arc would have never happened… Sigh, one can dream

 

#1) Captain America (a.k.a Steven Rogers)

One of the oldest and greatest characters in comic book history is Steven Rogers. Not only is he a walking symbol, but his character is one that is so impressive, the other heroes feel inadequate around him. He is not what America is, but what America is supposed to be, what we should strive to become as a country. So when Steve Rogers died at the end of the civil war story arc it literally shook the comic book world and ours. This shocking development in comics appeared on numerous news channels because it was so powerful and symbolic.

His death was done in a fashion that paralleled JFK assassination and the situation that brought him there was a parallel to America’s reaction to President Bush’s Patriot Act. So the death of CAPTAIN AMERICA was one of multiple meaning. So much so that when it happened I had to applaud the boldness and beauty of all the writers and artist involved.

(Civil War: Epilogue)

And what excuse did they give to bring him back?

It wasn’t a normal gun, but a weapon that trapped Steve Roger’s soul in a type of purgatory.
…
…
WHAT???????

How dare you give me such a beautiful and meaningful end to one of the greatest heroes ever invented in comic book history and your best explanation is “It wasn’t a real gun”. REALLY?!?! REALLY?!?! NO ONE AROUND THE OFFICE HAD A BETTER IDEA….NO ONE? THERE WAS BETTER STORYTELLING IN THE SUPERMAN RETURNS MOVIE THAN THIS PLOT THREAD.
I guess all I’m saying is if you’re going to write off a character and then bring him back then their return should be just as elaborate and unique as their end. Most of these character resurrections are done very haphazardly giving the impression that the writers involved would rather rehash older, established characters without taking the time or effort to try something new.

Well that’s my top 5 list of characters that should have stayed dead. Hope you enjoyed reading this article as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Your Equally as Obsessed and Cynical nerd
Eric Bell

 

Eric Bell is a comedian and screenwriter based out of Los Angeles. He is the producer for the animated series, 24 Frames. Follow his blog at bellcomedy.com, and on Twitter at @bellcomedy.

I’m Just Saying: Before You Watch The Batman Or The Avengers Movie

 

I’M JUST SAYING

In between my different articles I will be giving a variety of posts about my thoughts on various subjects in regards to our nerd world. The first one being a message I feel I must give to my fellow geeks.

You need to calm down on the comic book movies. Just because a movie starring your favorite comic book hero didn’t follow the comic book to the letter, doesn’t make it that bad. Now I’m not talking to you good people that feel a comic book movie should follow the comics in regards to the character’s general personality, basic background, and abilities… No no… I’m cool with you guys.

I’m talking about the guy who won’t shut up at how the Shi’ar Empire isn’t in the X-Men: The Last Stand movie.  Really!? Out of all the clear and obvious reason to hate that movie and you chose the lack of aliens.

Look I love comics. I wouldn’t have a job without them. Many of them are brilliant stories of heroism and tragedy. They’re our new folklore. But when you translate that into film, the screen writers may have to take particular liberties with the portrayal of your favorite crusader.

Certain things just don’t translate well into film. Now you’re probably saying “But Bell, Sin City was word for word and shot for shot like the comic and it was excellent…. And I agree. You’re absolutely right, it was a spectacular movie. However it’s also one of the only of its kind, almost all of the “popular” comic books that are taken frame by frame into the movies don’t do all that well.

A perfect example is Watchmen, which I enjoyed. Apparently no one else did… And you know why? After all of the clever adaptations of the award winning graphic novel into film was done, and the only things that were left out seemed to be only due to time. After all of that, what you ended up with was a boring action movie. It just didn’t translate well to the big screen. Personally, I think it would have made an excellent series.

Now this is a post, not an article, so it would be pointless to begin another list. So I’ll round it out by saying this. We geeks need to come to the movies with an unbiased mind. Where we first look at the movie as that, a simple movie and see if it’s good on those merits… and then rip it a new asshole because his suit isn’t the right color, or the actor isn’t big enough, or the fact that he doesn’t say one witty line during a fight, or that you never actually see Galactus, or the fact that he has a FUCKING BAT CREDIT CARD……. Ahem

I digress. Let’s look at these movies as if we’re not connoisseur of the mythology first and not be so harsh on judgments that would only be appreciated by the minority of diehard fans.

I’m Eric Bell… And I’m just saying.

 

Eric Bell is a comedian and screenwriter based out of Los Angeles. He is the producer for the animated series, 24 Frames. Follow his blog at bellcomedy.com, and on Twitter at @bellcomedy.