A statue of "Ajax"

I found this via yesterday's Cubee art.  A portrait of an "Ajax" statue by JokerZombie:

I don't care how expensive this is, I don't care if it's only available in Brazil, I'm finding this.

At first glance I thought it was digitally painted, but no, that is actually a photograph of a statue, albeit with some really sweet lighting.  Which raises several questions: which statue is this and where can I buy it?  (I don't recognize it) and why the heck is he called Ajax?  Before I fired up the comic nerd smarty-pants powers and commented on the guy's picture with something like, "That's the Martian Manhunter, duh!" the artist mentioned he was from Brazil and "first met" J'onn J'onzz as "Ajax."  Then I remembered the list on the Idol-Head of Diabolu of the Martian Manhunter's (suprisingly many) international names.  Austin Powers has no right to claim ownership as the original International Man of Mystery, let me tell you.

I knew that Ajax was a Greek god, but I'm wondering how exactly the Manhunter from Mars became known by that name?  If you're going to pick a Greek god, why not something more apropros like Atlas? I'm intrigued.

Booster Gold (and friends) "Cubee"

Well, I have my weekend planned out.

I'm making this:

Do not poke fun at the awesomeness of Cubee.  You know you want to print this out and make one, too.  My printer may be low on ink, it might cost me $15 per ink tank, but dammit, I'm going to squeeze out every drop so I can print out my Booster Gold cubee.

Then I'm going to print out a Blue Beetle cubee.  And sit them next to each other on my desk at work.

And then I'll make a Fire one.  And an Ice one.  And then Guy Gardner.  And then a Hal Jordan one so I can drop things on its head.  Oh the fun I will have!

Oh noes, Hal!  I dropped my stapler on you!  Oh noes, it happened again!

You can view the hundreds (thousands?) of Cubees that this guy, The Flying Dachshund, made on his DeviantArt account.

This post was all Frank's fault, by the way.

Vril and Lryl Dox...

Are the cutest father and son ever.

I'm not sure who drew this, but I found it quite randomly via a Google search a little while ago.  I think it's kinda cute!

Happy New Year! Comics New Year's Resolutions, anyone?

Well, I just watched the ball drop on Times Square.  I don't know how those people can stand outside in the cold for six hours, let alone be standing shoulder-to-shoulder amongst thousands.  Ah, well, I enjoy watching them on TV while sipping sparkling cider.  My real New Year's tradition is watching the Twilight Zone Marathon, which unfortunately gets shorter every year.  (And got interrupted by wrestling...I don't know what's up with that.)

I'm wondering what 2011 will bring in the comics world.  DC of course teases big changes and all that, but I'm wondering what the big crossoever event of 2011 will be, if any.  The Source mentioned something about getting back to characters, and part of that are the covers that feature a certain character's (or group's) symbol.  Kind of cool, I guess.

But here's what I really want to be on DC's New Year's Resolution List:

--A true return to character.  Characters who remain true to their origional intent.  Characters who act logically and are well-rounded.  Stories that revolve around characters' decisions, stories that mean something to the characters.  Characters who are written in-character and are just generally well-written.

--Re-establishing the Justice League to its Silver Age roots.  I think it's time to cycle back around to the original seven.  With Hal Jordan, Barry Allen, and now Aquaman getting the Silver Age reboot, why can't the League get the same treatment?  And let's fix whatever's going on with Wonder Woman, too.

--Better editing at DC.  If fans can keep a charater's origins straight, so can an editor.  That way we have no Ice debacles.  And perhaps the proper usage of "it's."  Maybe that last one's dreaming too big.

--Better treatment for Martians.  Let's see J'onn J'onzz get the Silver Age treatment: working in a human guise solving crimes as a PI or a police detective.  With a captain he has to answer to and a partner he has to keep his secret from, and possibly a baby-talking space creature.  And dammit, the man needs a hat in keeping with a noirish interpretation.

--Cassandra Cain coming back as (one of the) Batgirl(s).  And while we're at it, Barbara Gordon gets to stay as Oracle.  None of this "Death of Oracle" business.  It's nice to have a disabled hero to look up to.  And a hero who uses her brains.  And who sasses Stephanie Brown.

--While the "proper" Silver Age Justice League can be re-established, why not let the original Justice League International operate again?  Booster Gold, Ted Kord, J'onn J'onzz (splitting his time between the JLA, JLI, and detective work--busy guy), Mr. Miracle, Fire and (innocent sweet) Ice, a not-evil Maxwell Lord, and Guy Gardner.  And the mangy, evil alley cat.

--Harvey Dent is a vain, short-tempered lawyer on the edge of sanity, and don't you forget it.  Anytime he's written with multiple personalities, he's not a villain, he's a victim.  While we're at it, don't get rid of the coin, DC, like you teased in Streets of Gotham.  And don't ever get rid of that suit, ever.

--New well-thought out villains.  While it's time for some older villains to make some new appearances, I think some villains get used a bit too much.  Either dig through the archives and look for some obscure ones or one who just aren't used much, or create some new ones.  Good ones, that is.  JLA villains, Batman villains, someone for the Martian Manhunter to fight who is not D'kay or Cay'an, etc.

--Adam Strange getting his old costume back.  It's the little things that matter when you've got a subtle character.  Also, don't fix what isn't broke, DC.  Barry Allen is still wearing the same suit last time I checked.

--Batman: The Brave and the Bold to be un-cancelled.  Really, DC, what are you thinking getting rid of this show?!  It's the perfect showcase for any and all DCU characters, obscure or famous.  What a way to build the franchise for young viewers.  (And kids at heart.)

--The Justice League in live-action format.  I don't care if it's a TV series or a movie, or a special episode of Smallville.  I want a glimpse of a live-action Justice League.  That's a stretch, I know, but I'm dreaming big.

Finally, I'd like to thank all of you out there in Comics Make Me Happy Reader-land.  I love connecting with people who share my common interest, and I've had so many good conversations over the year and have enjoyed reading your blogs.  What kinds of New Year's resolutions (comics-related or otherwise) are you guys making?

Here's to 2011!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Today (the 23rd,) was actually Festivus, so I hope you all aired your grievances and competed in Feats of Strength.

Now that you've pinned your relatives and won glory by climbing the Festivus Pole, it's time to usher in Christmastime.  Justice League Style.

Here's a nice little bit of Christmas cheer courtesy of the Justice League and featuring CMMH! favorite, the Martian Manhunter.  Sit back and grab a cup of hot chocolate and relax.

Anyone else slightly amused that no one cares that Batman spends Christmas alone?

Custom Green Lantern iPad by Jim Lee

Despite being a diehard Apple fan since before the days of Macintosh, I really can't see the point in owning an iPad.

But this particular iPad would be awesome to own!

How'd you like Hal Jordan on the back of your iPad?  Wow, that sounded somehow not right.  Jim Lee did a series of iPads (including some Batman ones) which were given away to lucky fans at New York Comic-Con.