Girls With Comics

Back in Summer of 2008 I got tickets to see The Dark Knight at the Smithsonian’s Science Center IMAX. This was actually my very first IMAX movie, and I’m glad TDK broke my IMAX virginity. Since some of the scenes were filmed on IMAX film, it added to the truly unique and amazing experience.

Aside from that, I love TDK. It’s easily one of my favorite comic book movies ever. The writing is solid, there’s very little plot holes, and most of the actors were superb. I say most because Christian Bale is like a dead fish on-screen, and his Batman voice is the worst thing since Aquaman decided a giant sea-horse was a good way to get around the ocean. I love imitating it, since it is really funny. I know Bale wasn’t going for ‘funny’, especially in Batman, but that’s what it was. Gary Oldman is great as Gordon, but Heath Ledger stole the show as the Joker. I know fanboys and girls weren’t happy about him being the Joker, since no one could top Jack Nicholson (at the time), but those two Batman movies are nothing alike. Tim Burton (his movies suck) may have brought Batman back to life, but his world was too comic booky. This is especially true for the other two Batman films that included Bat-Nipples. They weren’t realistic, although at the time they were great.

Nolan’s Batman universe is dark, gritty, and realistic. There are no Bat-Nipples, no stupid annoying side kicks, and let’s be real, Alfred kicks ass in these movies. The Joker was especially gritty. If I saw him in a dark alley, I would honestly be terrified for my life. If I saw Jack Nicholson Joker in an alley? I might be scared, but not on the same level. Ledger’s Joker is just batshit insane.

The only problems with TDK? One, Two-Face only got maybe 20 minutes of screen time. I’m aware he was supposed to be used for the next movie, but for some reason id didn’t happen. I’m not saying he was bad, but he was mis-used and pretty one-dimensional for a villain, especially when Joker was so brilliant. Barbara Gordon has more of a personality than Two-Face. Harvey Dent himself is charismatic, charming yet corrupt, but as Two-Face he just loses that edge.

Also, the movie is too fucking long. During the last 10 minutes, when Batman and Two-Face were talking, I left the theater to go pee. For all I knew the movie would have gone on for another 10 hours. It was plausible, really. The ending was also a let down, because it was so…forced. I thought the movie was going to be over at the last Batman and Joker fight, but boy-o-fucking-boy was I wrong. I did buy the movie promptly on DVD the day it came out and watched it again, but haven’t really seen it since. However, this past month various cable movie stations have been playing this movie almost non stop. So if you have about 5 hours you need to kill, just turn on Stars. The Dark Knight is most likely on right now.

-Lauren

On the outskirts of downtown Baltimore, in front of Camden Yards, lies one of Baltimore’s hidden gems. I say hidden because Geppi does a piss poor job of advertising his museum. Many comic book or pop culture fans that I know here in the great town of Baltimore have never even heard of the place. To my knowledge, he advertises in the following places:

Overstreet Price Guide
Baltimore Magazine (which he runs)
Various online sites (CGC Boards)

I don’t recall ever seeing an ad in Wizard, or even City Paper.  Lack of good advertising aside, the museum is pretty awesome. It’s cheap to get in (around $10 a person, but you can get in for cheaper if you ride certain public transit, or have student I.D) but sort of hard to find. It’s located inside of Camden Station, outside of Camden Yards, right next to a Light Rail (Baltimore’s above ground metro) and across from the Baltimore Convention Center. You’d think this would be an ideal place, but it really isn’t. Most local’s don’t notice it, and most tourists don’t stray that far away from the actual Harbor itself.

The one time a year I could see it doing a ton of business, is when Otakon (an anime convention) comes to town. Otakon brings in around 30 thousand people annually for three days–Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. An IDEAL time for them to plaster their name all over the city, to offer discounted admission for attendee’s, you know the drill. But no, every year roughly 30 thousand people ignore the place because they have no clue it’s right under their nose. I did happen to go Friday of Otakon, in the middle of the day. They did offer a Otakon discount, but I didn’t recieve it since whomever was working the admission desk didn’t know what was going on or something stupid. Hell there wasn’t even a sign saying ‘Otakon attendee’s half off!’.

So smack dab in the middle of a Friday, you’d think there would be a large crowd. Nope. Nada. Besides myself and two of my friends, there were maybe 2 other people visiting. The rest of the people were employee’s. This is not unusual for the museum either. I’ve gone multiple times since 2007, always on Saturday’s, and the place maybe has 10 people inside of it at best. The only time I’ve ever seen it busy, is when they’re playing host for a party.

Aside from all of that, the museum is really awesome. It’s mostly a warehouse of Geppi’s stuff that happens to be on display. Every so often exhibits will change to add some spice to the museum. The last time I was there the pioneer room was pretty empty since they were changing stuff. Shame too, because I love Victorian age and Platinum age comics.

To illustrate how awesome this place is, here’s some photo’s taken by myself, and Patty Boh from Flickr.

Clearly there’s something for everyone at this museum. I urge all of you to visit this place at least once. Take a day trip down to the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, eat a crab cake (because that’s really all we eat here in Baltimore. …) and then enjoy a nice afternoon at the Geppi Museum. I guarantee it’ll be nice and relaxing since you may end up being the only people there.

-Lauren

For more photo’s, please visit: 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/patgavin/sets/72157601962719190/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/baltimorelauren/sets/72157621749393436/

For more info on the museum, please visit: http://www.geppismuseum.com/

I can say with certainty that now is the perfect time to be a comic book nerd with a kid, or a kid on the way. Like my Dad did, you probably hope your kids will share in your  geeky hobby of comic books. In the past it was harder. When I was born, Batmania had swept the country due to the Tim Burton films. So maybe it wasn’t so hard with me. Batman did get me hooked thanks to my Dad turning it on everyday. But growing up I certainly don’t recall there being any comic book clothing for children. Trust me I looked. If I had a Batman hoodie available to me in my size as a 7-year-old, I would have thrown the temper tantrum of the year for it.

Today my Dad and I walked through our local Old Navy and were surprised at the amounts of baby comic book gear that was available! If you have a 6-12 month year old you’re in luck! Old Navy carries Batman, Spider-Man, Wolverine, and Superman hoodies for them. They also have tee shirts with Iron Man, Batman, ect, for your 6 month old baby.

Really though, this is awesome: http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=49045&vid=1&pid=674496&scid=674496002

Another popular retailer, Target, also carries baby super-hero clothing! Both places have pretty comparable pricing though.

I don’t have any kids, but I assure you I’m stocking up when the time comes. You never know when this super-hero trend is going to die, so better get it now while the going is good.

-Lauren