COMICS & PEOPLE WHO LOVE THEM #2 - EZ RIDER

 Welcome once again to Comics and the People Who Love Them. This time, EIC Frankie Rodriguez (also known as Seraph) sits down with another Reviewtopia contributor & Tokusatsu lover: the host of Toku Time:  EZ Rider.

CBC: For people who don't know, EZ, you are a host of Toku Time; can you explain your show to our readers?

EZ Rider: I am The Toku Guy, I'm trying to show people the true glory that is tokusatsu, and how if people can look past Power Rangers and see it for what it really is, it can be an enjoyable genre for a more mature audience AND kids.

CBC: True and you cover all sorts of Tokusatsu, correct?

EZ Rider: Indeed, there's so many sub-genre series and movies out there in the world of toku, and I'm going to cover them all

 CBC: Not to switch gears. Some of your fans many or many not know this, but you are a comic book fan as well, right?

EZ Rider: yep, not as big as BAC (Bryan Clendening from Comics & the People Who Love Them # 1)  from Laid Back Comics, Linkara or yourself but I'd consider myself an adept reader. When I can get to the comic store/bookstore that is. *laughs*

CBC:  So tell us EZ, what books got you started into reading comics?

EZ Rider: Well, probably the biggest was when I was a kid. I was big into the Superman movies and he was like a god to kids back then in the 80's. So my dad actually got me a subscription to Action Comics. He'd spent every other night reading them to me. Well I got into my teen years and I expanded into the world of Marvel and got hooked on Spider-Man at the time, but I kinda left them behind in high school. It wasn't until college that a comic book class caught my eye and even better, the library had it's own reading room for comics/graphic novels. So I was hooked again, and I had some catching up to do then.

CBC: What have been some of  your favorite stories in comics?

EZ Rider: Probably the biggest one for me was the Clone Saga from Spider-Man, I can see people rolling their eyes already but I still like it. I admit it has it's problems but who cares? It gave us probably my favorite character in the Marvel universe, Ben Reilly. Seeing Spider-Man and Scarlet Spider fighting evil side by side, it was so awesome. Almost better than a Batman/Superman team-up.

Currently I have been heavy into Green Lantern. I think the Emotional Spectrum is the best thing to happen in comics. The new lantern corps hold so many endless possibilities and I can't wait to see what they do next and how they expand on these new corps.

CBC: With those said, how do you feel about the New Scarlet Spider? Are there particular lanterns you like more than others?

EZ Rider: I almost wished the Clone Saga has gone in the direction they are going now as opposed to the lackluster ending. It's interesting to see them do this now. Maybe they are trying to redeem themselves *laughs*

As for lantern corps I think I think the Red Lanterns pretty awesome. It's interesting to know now that when you lose your head in battle you can become a berserk killing machine (see Guy Gardner in Blackest Night: Green Lantern Corps). Blue Lanterns are also very intriguing. It's a shame that Saint Walker has not gotten his own series (well, New Guardians is close enough). He kind of reminds me of Cane in Kung Fu or Mr. Miyagi. He wants to find the peaceful way out and doesn't like to resort to fighting. Kind of admirable. I'd like to see him get his own series as a nomadic drifter through the sectors, helping people where he goes.

CBC: Do you have any favorite writers, artists ? If so, who are they?

EZ Rider: My favorite writers are probably (in no particular order) Grant Morrison. I just recently picked up All-Star Superman Vol. 1 and I'm currently reading his run on Action Comics. I HIGHLY recommend both.

Geoff Johns for his phenomenal work on Green Lantern and Flashpoint.

Matt Fraction: Didn't care for him at first until I read Fear Itself.

Brian Michael Bendis: His work on Ultimate Spider-Man, need I say more?

And last but not least, my personal favorite, Fabian Nicieza. It is CRIMINAL how underrated his work is, just look at his work on Trinity or more recently, Legion LOST. Two series I highly recommend.

CBC: Pretty damn awesome. So what was your reaction to the new 52 from DC? to Avengers vs. X-Men?

EZ Rider: I think the new 52 was a good idea but it felt so...rushed. That could just be my love for the World of Flashpoint talking. (And I hope to go we see more of that in future) but my only real gripe with the new universe is how Green Lantern has pretty much been untouched. Not just that. Other dead characters were revived but beloved characters (like Laira, Batman Beyond, The Marvels,  and Renee Montoya) have either gone missing or never existed and I'm a little mift about that.

As for Avengers vs. X-Men I think this has been a long time coming, ever since Civil War. Let's hope it doesn't become another House of M though. The less I say about that the better

CBC: You mentioned Fabian Nicieza as an underrated writer. Who else, writer, artist, comic, character, do you feel is underrated?

EZ Rider: Well I missed artists earlier so I'll focus on them first. One I really love is Simone Bianchi who did work/covers for Green Lantern and Uncanny X-Force, another is Fernando Blanco, who I noticed did work on Captain America. Pick up the Theater of War collection and you'll see what I mean.

As for comic characters I was excited to hear Static Shock was back for the new 52 but I heard recently it's going to be discontinued. Very sad but then again without Dwayne McDuffie I guess it isn't really the same. Still a great story/hero though. I recommend the cartoon for it as well.

CBC: What are you looking forward to  comic book wise in 2012?

EZ Rider: Probably the first big DC event that I've heard whispers about. And Earth 2, the new comic announced from DC that apprently is going to be bringing back the JSA. I can't wait to see how they pull that off and what the multiverse means to the new 52. As for Marvel, the Avengers vs. X-Men event and how the Ultimate universe will go on. In my own opinion Spider-Man was carrying the Ultimate series, let's see how they can keep it going without retconning him back to life or pulling another One More Day.

CBC: Do you feel there are tropes that carry from comics to Tokusatsu or vice versa?

EZ Rider: Well it would've been a nice little nod to the toku series if Tony Stark gave Spidey a mech instead of that new costume during Civil War *laughs*  But seriously, sometimes. It feels a lot of times like Captain America and Iron Man are like two Kamen Riders out of the Heisei-Era. They never get along, they seldom see eye to eye but in the end they work together for the greater good.  So in answer to your question. Sometimes.

CBC: What are some of the tropes you are tired of seeing in comics today?

EZ Rider: The lack of real female superheroes. Don't get me wrong, I love fanservice and hot chicks in spandex as much as the next horny fanboy but seriously. Look at the new 52 for example. Personal favorites like Power Girl and Mary Marvel have vanished. Now I know, Power Girl was only popular because of her enormous "talents" but personally I beg to differ. Go read her solo work if you don't believe me. Thank god I heard she may be coming back soon (with Huntress no less) I feel like DC has actually taken two steps back instead of going forward. *Now I know what you're thinking

CBC: What can we look forward to on Toku Time & your other shows (Rider Ramblings, Talk Toku, etc)? I heard you are working on  a review of Kamen Rider Hibiki.

EZ Rider: Indeed I have, hopefully I'll have the Hibiki review done by the time you read this. After that I'll be celebrating my 50th episode by reviewing the old school sentai series, Liveman.

As for other shows, Rider Ramblings are usually on my youtube bi-weekly, depending on what's on my mind at the moment. *laughs*

I haven't been able to land any more interviews for Talking Toku but I'll be going to Power Morphicon in August and I intend to hopefully land several interviews there to make up for it. It all depends on who all shows up.

I also have a crossover video with my good friend and fellow toku brother, Apollo Z. Hack so look forward to that some time in April. I've been kicking around the idea of my own comic series but nothing's coming out of it.......yet. Other than that, not much else for the forseeable future. Just reviewting and spreading the word of toku.

CBC: That is awesome. Finally, any words you want to say to the readers and fans?

EZ Rider: Yes, keep checking out Seraph's stuff, it's EZ Rider approved *laughs* But other than that, be sure to check out Reviewtopia for all the newest and coolest reviews, series, and entertainment you ould want. And support your toku fansubs where and when you can. Remember, the fansub will never die.

CBC:  Thank you very much EZ. Please check out All of EZ Riders stuff on Reviewtopia. And that is all for us this week. 

A WEB LINE THROUGH TIME - THE MAJOR MOMENTS IN SPIDEY'S HISTORY

A Web Line Through Time- Major Moments in Spidey’s History  

By Hector Ramirez

Hey there Clashers! It’s 2012 and with that comes the 50th year of everyone’s favorite web slinger. Every month this year, your friendly neighborhood clasher, yours truly, is doing a special piece on the wall crawler; starting with this timeline of some his biggest checkpoints thus far. So grab your web shooters, shoot out a line and lets go for a swing.

ORIGIN 

   A very familiar story to all true fans of the medium. Meant to only fill a few pages in Amazing Fantasy # 15, Stan Lee and Steve Ditko wrote the story of a 15 year bookworm by the name of Peter Parker. A social outcast, Peter spends his time at science demonstrations and museums. While at one of these demonstrations, a spider became irradiated and bit young Peter; giving him the speed, agility, and proportionate strength of a spider. Using his powers, Peter became a wrestler which made him kind of cocky so when a thief robbed the arena he was performing at he stepped aside allowing the man to escape. That same man broke into his home killing his Uncle Ben and it is then that Peter heeds his uncle’s great advice “with great power comes great responsibility.” While this story has been told and retold time and time again, that quote remains and as does the greatness that is Spiderman.    

ORIGINAL CLONE SAGA

  While attending Empire State University, Peter fell in love with the beautiful Gwen Stacy. Unfortunately, he wasn’t the only one. Professor Miles Warren was infatuated with the young Ms. Stacy as well to the point of obsession. To get rid of Peter, Warren created a clone of him. Believing himself to be the real Spiderman, the clone sought to destroy Peter. After the battle that ensues, Peter eventually throws the clone into a smoke stack believing him dead. As any true fan knows this sets up for a very important storyline, Marvel’s good at set ups.

DEATH OF GWEN STACY & THE "DEATH" OF NORMAN OSBORN

   Every great hero has equally great villains. One such villain for Spiderman has to be Norman Osborn aka the Green Goblin. Willing to do everything and anything to hurt Spiderman, after discovering his secret identity the Goblin decides to attack Peter through his emotions. Norman kidnapped Peter’s beloved Gwen and takes her to the Brooklyn Bridge. Upon  Peter’s arrival, Norman pushed Gwen over. Spiderman shoots out a web line to catch her but the sudden upward jerk snapped her neck, killing her. Needless to say, Peter was distraught and a seemingly final battle between Spiderman and Green Goblin ensued. The battle ends when Norman attempts to impale Peter with his glider only to get impaled himself courtesy of Spider-sense. Osborn was seemingly killed but oddly enough his body goes missing. Cue dramatic music.  


THE COURTSHIP & MARRIAGE TO MARY JANE

               While he was heartbroken at the loss of Gwen Stacy, Peter does eventually start dating again. While he’s dated a plethora of women the most prominent relationship in his history would have to be the one with Mary Jane Watson. The girl next door with a dark past, MJ was constantly running from her problems. At one point, she even ran from her feelings for Peter but eventually she settled down and married the web swinger. Their marriage wasn’t always ideal but I guess that’s the case when you marry a costumed crusader, I bet Lois Lane could attest to that. As with any marriage there are ups and downs the downs a bit worse than most but in the end it’s Mary Jane that was always there helping him get through things. The thought of going home to her is what kept Peter going.


  THE SYMBIOTE (BLACK SUIT) SAGA
 
         When the Beyonder kidnapped the worlds greatest villains and heroes to partake in the Secret Wars, Peter Parker’s costume needed to be replaced. He found a machine that produced a small black glob that enveloped him in a black costume resembling that of Julia Carpenter aka Spiderwoman which is what Peter wanted. Thinking it was some sort of alien nanotechnology he started using it in place of his red and blue suit. After a while Peter starts to notice something is off, his attitude is changing, and he wakes up feeling completely exhausted sometimes even finding himself out web-swinging with no recollection of leaving his bed. Eventually Peter finds out that the suit is actually a living organism bent on controlling its host. Peter manages to rid himself of the symbiote but it transfers itself to Eddie Brock who hates Spiderman. The black suit is definitely a fan favorite, even Felicia hated to see it go and made him a cloth version of it which he wears until Venom completely freaks out Mary Jane and she asks him to stop wearing it.
 

VENOM

    Speaking of Eddie Brock, the introduction of this particular villain/anti-hero into the web-slingers life as Venom gave Peter a whole new problem. With the symbiote and Brock’s combined hatred for Spidey, added with its enhanced spider powers its not exactly an easy feat for Pete to beat. And it doesn’t help that the symbiote has been in Peter’s mind and knows all his secrets; not to mention it nullifies his spider-sense so yea they’re a problem. Even though they have worked together and Brock does try to reform and does his best to help people, the symbiote’s vicious nature does tend to win over Brock’s attempts at being a hero until he eventually gets rid of it just to find out it gave him cancer. Ironically, his extended connection to the symbiote transformed his white blood cells into an Anti-Venom symbiote that fights radiation as well as crime.    

THE "DEATH" OF HARRY OSBORN

   After learning of his father's death in a battle with Spiderman, Harry Osborn swears vengeance against the wall crawler. Taking on the mantle of the Green Goblin, Harry winds up in multiple battles with Spiderman. Eventually losing his memory, Harry and Peter become friends again. Unfortunately, this is short lived when the Hobgoblin forces him to become the Green Goblin again. Harry defeats Macendale and considers becoming a super hero but Peter talks him out of it. Later, Harry suffers psychological trauma causing him to become the strongest he’s ever been and is re-consumed with his hatred for Spidey. Planning to kill Peter and all of his father’s enemies, Harry rigs his home with explosives and throws a dinner party not realizing his son and Peter’s wife were also there. Harry leaves Spidey incapacitated after a pretty one sided battle and arms the explosives before learning of Normie and MJ’s presence. Peter convinces Harry to save the two when he laid paralyzed. Realizing he left his best friend to die, Harry doubles back saving him but getting caught in the blast which triggers a side effect of his goblin formula killing him. But fret not Clashers, for Harry returns because of the events of One More Day.    

THE "RETURN" OF PETER'S PARENTS

   As quite obvious as it is, Harry Osborn was responsible for quite a bit of douche baggery during his stint as the Green Goblin but the one thing that really takes the cake is when he attacked Peter emotionally by making him believe his parents were alive. You see as some of you may know Peter’s stay with Ben and May was supposed to be temporary but while out on a top secret government mission his parents were both killed. Fast forward Harry hired the Chameleon to create to androids of Peter’s parents to pluck at Peter’s heartstrings, like I said douche baggery. Eventually his “parents” “die” revealing their falsehood. This infuriates our hero causing him to lash out against the Chameleon nearly beating him to death. This plotline is good because it shows that super heroes are people too and even they have breaking points. Some things are sacred and Harry and the Chameleon really crossed the line.


THE CLONE SAGA

    Remember that very important plotline I mentioned earlier? Well guess what? That clone Peter “killed” didn’t really die. SURPRISE!!!! Taking on the name of Ben(in honor of Uncle Ben) Reilly (Aunt May’s maiden name), he traveled the country keeping tabs on Peter through May whom he convinced that he was a distant relative. While touring the country another of the Jackals clones the wretch known as Kaine follows Ben around attempting to kill him believing he meant harm to Peter. Realizing this wasn’t true kaine backed and was later killed   After a few years Ben decides to return to New York creating the identity of the Scarlet Spider. At first he’s taken as a joke but after some impressive heroics he’s taken a bit more serious even though nobody remembers his name.  Eventually  teaming up with Pete. They work well together but at some point Norman Osborn decides to mess with Peter’s head by introducing the possibility that Peter is in fact the clone which haunts the both of them.

BEN REILLY AS SPIDEY

      After learning Mary Jane was pregnant, Peter decides he no longer wants to be Spiderman and hands over the mantle to Ben. Although reluctant at first, he does revamp the costume and take swing as Spidey. He makes a pretty decent Spidey; although he sometimes doubts he’s as good as Peter. Others notice the difference in the wall crawler too. He’s less experienced which leads to a few rookie mistakes. Peter and Mary Jane move out of NY for a more peaceful life but eventually come back and Peter reclaims the mantle. Norman Osborn, who has been presumed dead for years, returns to take credit for the turmoil the clone fiasco caused and tries to kill Peter with his glider. Ben jumps in front of the blades and disintegrated proving he was in fact the clone.




IDENTITY CRISIS/SLINGERS

  After being framed for murder Spiderman is marked an outlaw and with Osborn in control of the Daily Bugle he makes sure the word is spread. In order to keep fighting crime, and to try and clear his name Peter dawns four new identities. Using a flying apparatus invented by Hobie Brown aka the Prowler he becomes the Hornet gaining the trust of  Osborn by claiming Spiderman was  not an issue. Under the alias of Ricochet Peter found himself going up against the Black Tarantula again, teaming up with the revenge seeking Delilah. As Dusk Peter dawned a dark stealth suit he acquired in the Negative Zone and rescues the Trapster who has replaced him as the biggest bounty in New York with Spiderman’s “disappearance”.  Finally we have the golden boy known as Prodigy. With invulnerability, super strength and able to jump insane distances and a personality “so square it makes Captain America seem radical” as Peter himself put it. Eventually Peter gathers the evidence needed to clear Spiderman and as Prodigy presents it to the public to Norman Osborn’s displeasure. Later four aspiring young heroes take on Peter’s four new aliases and form the group known as the Slingers with the wall crawler as their inspiration.  



THE OTHER/ORGANIC WEBS/MORLUN

    After finding out he is dying of some unidentifiable disease, Peter also has to deal with the fact that the vampiric entity known as Morlun has returned from the grave to seek revenge on him. Spidey eventually encounters Morlun; who hands him the beating of a lifetime and rips his eye out, leaving him to absorb later. Pete is rushed to the hospital where MJ stays with him. Morlun attacks and Mary Jane stupidly tries to intervene. As Morlun attempts to end her life, Peter becomes a spider beast and kills Morlun before dying himself. To protect his identity, the Avengers take his body to Stark towers where it is reduced to a husk. A new and improved Peter later emerges from a cocoon. With new powers such as organic webbing, he has to fight his corpse that is being controlled by spiders. After being defeated, his spider filled corpse retreats to the sewers.


NEW AVENGERS/CIVIL WAR/ONE MORE DAY

      After the original Avengers disbanded due to the destruction Scarlet Witch unleashed in her bout of insanity, a new super team is needed and Spidey along with Luke Cage, Spider-Woman, Iron Man, Daredevil and Captain America heed the call. Electro knocks out the power at the super-villain maximum prison known as the Raft allowing for a massive prison break. The aforementioned heroes band together to contain the chaos but 42 prisoners manage to escape. Cap sees their banding together as fate and offers them membership in the Avengers. All but Daredevil accept and the New Avengers are founded. Of course, their first mission being to round up the escaped prisoners. Eventually the teamed is joined by Wolverine, Sentry & Ms Marvel.

               After 600 people are killed in Stamford, Connecticut because of the New Warriors and their haphazard behavior (CBC EIC Frankie Rodriguez : HEY!! That's my favorite team you talkin' bout there Hector), the government introduces the Superhuman Registration Act where all superhumans must register with the Federal government. About half of them comply including Peter but the rest refuse. Those who refuse go underground, joining Captain America's side against registration.and are joined by the wall crawler when things go bad with his enemies knowing his identity. A Civil War ensues hero against hero causing the majority of the New Avengers to become an underground vigilante group. Eventually the danger of people knowing his identity is too great when Aunt May is hit by a sniper bullet met for Peter. In order to save his beloved aunt, Peter goes to Mephisto aka the Devil (After going through nearly everyone he knows) who restores his aunt in exchange for his marriage to Mary Jane. The entire danger of  Peter’s leaked identity is erased but it backfires; only later to be fixed by Dr. Strange.  

SECRET INVASION/DARK REIGN

        Some of the superheroes in the Marvel Universe are replaced by shape shifting aliens named Skrulls. They try taking over Earth starting a huge war, with the queen disguised as Jessica Drew (Spiderwoman) since before the formation of the New Avengers. All of Earth’s warriors, regardless of alignment, jump into the battle.  But it is Norman Osborn getting the killing shot on the Skrull queen. SHIELD is disbanded and replaced by HAMMER, which is run by Osborn, who puts together his own team of Dark Avengers; villains who are actually take up identities of other heroes such as Ms Marvel taken up by Moonstone, Venom Mac Gargan being Osborn's Spiderman, Daken becoming Wolverine & Bullseye as Hawkeye to name a few. Most of the real heroes are forced undergroun,d including Spidey. Osborn uses his power to pursue personal vendettas; like trying to kill the web head, force the Cage family under his control and  try to kill Nick Fury, who continues to run SHIELD underground. Of course, he fails. Osborn makes his biggest mistake by teaming up with Loki and pushing the mentally unstable Sentry to attack Asgard which eventually gets him thrown from power and arrested.


BIG TIME

       Peter is banned from being a newspaper photographer ever again and winds up homeless. With a recommendation from Marla Jameson, he gets a job at Horizon Labs. Meanwhile, Phil Urich has gone completely insane and become the Hobgoblin by killing the original; adding to the Hobgoblin arsenal with  sonic laugh he kept from his time as the "good" Green Goblin. To battle Phil, Pete develops a special harmonics suit which makes him immune to the laugh. Also in this plotline, Alistair Smythe returns bent on getting revenge on J. Jonah Jameson. He turns people who hate him  (Jameson) into Spider Slayers and turns Mac Gargan back into an updated Scorpion. Here’s a kicker; they all have a spider-sense. In order to defeat them, Spidey develops a spider sense killing bomb. Unfortunately, he is forced to withstand the blast, losing his own spider sense in the process. Angered by the defeat of his Spider Slayers, Smythe tries to kill Jameson himself but his wife Marla gives her life to thwart the assassination attempt. Fed up with all the death in his life, Peter vows no one else will die on his watch; not even Smythe or the emotionless killer Massacre who were both to face the death penalty on Jameson’s orders.



FUTURE FOUNDATION/SPIDER ISLAND

      To prevent an Annihilation Wave (a massive, killing legion that are responsible for several planets destruction and nearly wiping out the Skrulls)  from the Negative Zone, Johnny Storm aka the Human Torch seemingly sacrifices himself. Believing Johnny is dead, the remaining members of the  Fantastic Four and Spidey watch his video will asking that the team not be disbanded and that Peter take his place on the team. Feeling that continuing to call themselves the Fantastic Four and using the same uniforms would be disrespectful, they renamed the team the Future Foundation and dawned uniforms made of unstable molecules that can be altered with just a thought. At this time, Manhattan is infested with bedbugs which have been genetically altered by Miles “The Jackal” Warren to administer a spider virus. This virus endows its host with spider powers but eventually turns them into giant spiders under control of the Queen, a failed super soldier who once fought Spidey and Captain America Steve Rodgers. Jackal resurrects the imperfect clone Kaine, renaming him Tarantula to go with his monstrous form and kidnaps Steve Rogers turning him into the equally monstrous Spider King. A huge battle ensues between heroes and spiders that ends with Peter administering a cure made of Eddie Brock’s Anti-Venom symbiote using a whole bunch of octo-bots from the police evidence locker even turning Kaine into a perfect clone.



And that was our history lesson for this month. Next month: The MANY LOVES OF SPIDERMAN! Until then, Keep Clashing.