Today's my 27th Birthday. :( I wish I wasn't that old, in fact, I wish I'd never age at all! *cue DRAMATIC SIGH* Life is unfair and all that.

I'm going to have some pancakes today instead of the usual cake! :) Not sure about the filling yet but something yummy for sure!

How about instead of moping I post this lovely Clark Kent pic from the Superman Returns Movie Adaptation comic.



Soon to come are more SR caps from the dvd extras, as well as a new series of posts about scenes I'd personally cut from the movie or combine with others/rewrite them (to make the movie flow better, etc). I've been thinking of doing this for a long time and it won't be that hard to get the first entry up since a few scenes immediately popped into my head the moment I first thought about this. *chuckle*

Another thing I wanna do is a Supergirl re-design and new origin for my own enjoyment (since the current one in comics is so severely lacking and confusing), including an entry about her hobbies and interests and what she DOES in her free time. As an extra, an entry about the kind of clothes and fashion style that would suit her (in my eyes, anyway).

If it were up to me I'd make Supergirl likeable and interesting to both little girls, teenage girls, women AND the male readers of all ages, where the comic would have something in it for everyone without alienating the other parties. Whenever I think of Linda, there are so many nice things that pop into my head that "could have been" if only she was given the same respect, dedication and love as her cousin Superman.

First and foremost, I'd give her back her secret identity of Linda Lee, since in comics she's just Supergirl right now and has no life or identity at all besides her superhero duties. The secret identity would be re-imagined in this case, starting from fresh. If they can write a little kid into the canon for Lois and Clark to adopt, I can re-imagine Linda.

I'm posting pictures of 2 of my fave Superman t-shirts that I own, a parka and a pair of Superman Returns-like boots. :) ♥ It's not easy finding anything Superman related in women's sizes and merchandise like t-shirts has always been a real pain to shop for. I remember when I was a huge X-files fan in my teens and the smallest t-shirt I could find was like a men's L or XL. It looked like a one-piece dress on me but I loved it because it had Scully and Mulder on it and the cool X-files logo with a lightning effect in the background. Sweet. I ended up wearing it to bed mostly because it was long enough to be a nightshirt. *laugh*

Luckily nowadays us girls don't have as much problems finding superhero t-shirts in small sizes but it can still be hard. Sometimes it can be infuriating! We're also wearing tighter and shorter clothes in general than a decade ago. Fashion is changing. When it comes to Superman, lots of stuff you find on eBay isn't authentic but cheap transfers on cheap cotton. You get what you pay for. I'd rather have one good Superman t-shirt than five cheapo knock-offs with transfers peeling off after four washes.

The following authentic white t-shirt below is from SR and in size women's M/OS that I actually got from a Japanese auction. It's soft and form-fitting unlike the wide t-shirts in men's sizes (*phew!*). Not too short but not too long either. Just perfect. That's another problem with lots of official t-shirts, they're just too long!
It has the SR movie logo in the front, the S shield is 8'' (20.5 cm) wide, and at the bottom of the t-shirt it says 'Superman Returns, DC and Warner Bros', yadda yadda.



( Close-up of shield and text )

The other t-shirt I adore is in blue and has a comics style S shield, official merchandise by DC Comics.

( My blue Superman t-shirt pics )

Oh, I also have a blue SR movie parka that I got on another Japanese auction, it's in men's size M though but still a good fit, especially after it shrunk a bit. It was available via the Kellogg's SR campaign (300 pieces, I think they were either giveaways or part of a contest). I don't know if you can get it anywhere else but I'm sure there are other SR parkas available.

( SR movie parka )

And now to the promised pics of the boots! Oh, my bootses, how I love you. Got them after over a year-long search on eBay. In a darker red and midcalf length just like Routh's, they're wonderfully comfortable (I'm shocked how much, actually) and easy to wear with skinny jeans, leggings or skirts. They have that sporty look that is hard to get in this color. Well, any red boots are hard to get unless you're looking for slouchy style, stiletto, pointy toe, snakeskin, go-go style, super high heels, rain boots... Lots of red boots are sexy but none come in a simple, classic style Reeve's Superman or Slater's Supergirl would wear. So hard to find a pair in Supergirl style or just a style that doesn't scream "indecent". Honestly. *sigh* And Returns-style boots are just as difficult to get.

They're tight and I can barely tuck my black skinny jeans inside. They look best on either bare legs or with leggings, so definitely "Supergirl Returns" style. Or should I say "Supergirl Begins"? The boots will look nice with my "Supergirl Begins" costume (sort of a redesign, a mix between Returns and the original Slater movies, I'm not sure yet) but for now I'm wearing them with my everyday clothes and they're just the coolest pair of boots ever! I feel very super wearing them. :)

( Superman Returns boots pics! )

Man, I need to get myself BlueTights and SupermanHomepage t-shirts next! Routh knows of both websites and besides, it's good to embrace your inner geek and support the sites by wearing their t-shirts proudly. Whohoo!

I get little knee jerk reactions whenever people are making jokes about Superman wearing "underwear on the outside".

It's not underwear!

And it's a bad joke that needs to go away and die a painful death.



He's wearing the shorts/trunks on the outside because that's what they are. There just happens to be another layer (the tights) underneath because that's how Superman's outfit looks like.

They're like a gymnast's or swimmer's trunks. They also break the blue of the suit nicely, right in the middle, and are very functional in the movie version. It's easier to put the "protective cup" there instead of attaching it into some full-body, one-piece blue suit. I know in comics there's a version of Superman without the trunks but that's not the classic suit, I can't imagine Singer or anyone else changing the style of the outfit style-wise THAT much anytime soon. Superman is not The X-MEN. That futuristic version doesn't even look like his suit. It works fine on paper. The truth is, many people want the look of the classic suit (left as it is or updated, upgraded, whatever), all the moaning about Singer's version has proven that.

And with the classic suit come the red shorts Which Should Not Be Named Underwear.

They never looked like underwear to me but like sporty shorts. Besides, since he's wearing them over the tights and not underneath, they're technically not underwear.

Though I wouldn't say the same about someone wearing a bra over their t-shirt because it's not the same. *laugh* It's technically still a bra. The bra was intended to be worn under one's clothes all along. It's always been underwear.

In fact, in cold weather runners sometimes wear their comfy shorts over the simple cotton tracking suit pants. Those shorts sometimes look like boxers. Are you saying those are underwear, too?

It's called layering. Superman knows fashion, yo. LOL

Superman's stuff? So not underwear. What a stupid and by now very OLD joke. I get the feeling some folks use it to appear all cool and "grown-up" and "old enough to forget about Superman and comics". You don't sound cool, you sound boring and silly!

PLUS, I BET Superman's underwear TOTALLY OWNS yours! I'm sure he has like 70 Super pieces in varying shades of blue.

I hated the joke even more when my fave show Heroes used it. Peter Petrelli jokes about it with Claire in Season 1. I kind of squirmed when it happened. Ugh.

About the SR trunks specifically. I think the trunks are a GOOD and cool upgrade. They look more like something a superhero would wear today than decades ago. I love the new belt and its shape. I like the small S in there, it's awesome and I want one for myself.

( Some folks have been saying the trunks sit too low on the waist... )

( The trunks in comics )

( Supergirl's belt and similarities )

Okay, I'm babbling now and this wasn't supposed to be a rant about the suit. I love the SR suit. I just hate the UNDERWEAR joke. Make it stop.

Supergirl doesn't have to be a skinny, super tall girl looking like a diva... Because Superman says so!

Here are a few pages from Supergirl that I especially like because of her great relationship with Superman.



( 'Don't sell yourself short. Your 'shape' is just fine,' says he. LARGE SCANS BELOW! )

The art wasn't my cup of tea from the start but it grew on me. Look how sweet Supergirl is when she smiles and tells Kal-El she's flattered. I love LOVE heart-warming Superman/Supergirl moments. It's so clear they care for one another. They're like a big brother and little sister! It reminds me of vintage Superman comics where Supergirl would hang on every word of his and say what a "dear" Superman is. Despite the "SuperDickery" of that era, I think he was portrayed as warm and loving when Supergirl was around him, too. I'm all for more character moments like that instead of the mess Supergirl has found herself in in recent issues. Her killing Superman? What a shocking difference THAT is to the scanned pages above!

This version of Supergirl was short-lived but was fun to read and get into and I loved her honesty regarding her much smaller physique and breast size. It was a joy to see them leap skyscrapers in unison, joke about people sunbathing topless on top of buildings and Superman spotting them incidentally when he's on his rounds. *laugh* There's good chemistry, companionship, even cute jokes about them looking like a couple. I like the fact they're not suggestive jokes, the writer just mentions it by-the-by and goes on to the next subject. It's nice to see Superman hold her hand because he's helping her flying and that they can sit on the Daily Planet rooftop and chat amicably (I MISS THAT IN CURRENT COMICS ;_;) and even hug and it's in no way strange or suggestive. They look so happy and close.

Supergirl's "Wicked!" and "Naturally. Goes without saying!" were awesome. Whether you like this particular artist or not, she looks beautiful because of her characterization. She's just cool.

Now that Supergirl is canon again I'm hoping writers will tell us more about the positive effect she has on Superman and vice versa. He's not alone anymore, he has this confused kid now to watch over... And IMHO it would be fun to see her babysit Chris every now and then when the Last Son arc is over (if he'll survive/stay in the comics/whatever). Lois and Clark can both be positive influences in her life. Her role models. She could model her own relationships after theirs... God knows writers give her scary or bimbo boyfriends... I'm tired of silly story-lines where she's just making out with a dude in the sky. *groan* Can't they develop her character first?

She really needs to stop being so confusing.

And if they insist on giving her a boyfriend, then please let him be a good guy that can actually help her adjust to her new life on Earth. He doesn't have to know her secret identity but he can help her without really knowing, just like best friends can. I'd prefer a relationship that slowly builds from friendship to love myself. A really cool, realistic, well-written guy as Supergirl's pal would attract female readers and I'm sure male fans would like him, too (he could be very relatable). If guys can't see themselves in Supergirl and relate to her, a male as part of her supporting cast can help!

Supergirl can be fun and witty and awesome. Writers, please give her a real chance.

Earlier in August Superman comics fans were happy to hear artist Gary Frank will be joining the team on Action Comics starting in October. WOW, SOME GREAT SKETCHES THERE.

From the samples of art I've seen floating around I think he'll do an amazing job on Superman. I can't wait to see the more realistic approach that his art has, the characters just seem to breathe life and pop out the comic pages! We haven't seen much of that for a quite a while besides Pacheco's and also Guedes' work. I get the chills when we get art that is so life-like and the characters so real that it's easy to imagine them as real people, easy to think of them as breathing people such as actors on the tv screen, for instance. It's not everyone's cup of tea and not everyone prefers characters to look like actors, be it Christopher Reeve, Brandon Routh, Tom Welling or whoever. Many want the comics and movies to remain different. Movieverse should not mix with comics verse, yadda yadda. But I get a kick out of it, it's one of the reasons why I started reading American comics. It's really amazing because the comic art I used to dig the most was manga (both boys and girls manga). Superman comics opened my eyes to art I've been overseeing for so long.

Here is Gary Frank's Superman:


A huge brownie point to Frank whose Superman is based on Christopher Reeve and Lois Lane on Margot Kidder. *wipes drool off keyboard* Not an overly muscly Arnold Schwarzennegger Superman in any way, thank God, and I know that kind of style has many fans... But I prefer a more realistic look. Muscular and solid-looking but not like a pumped-up pro wrestler either. And the new Lois Lane is going to be fantastic! What an interesting and pretty BOLD look for her, seeing how she's always either extremely attractive or with a killer body but a weird short hairstyle or not pretty at all, depending on the artist. Her looks vary just as much as Superman's.
Actually, in recent incarnations I seldom thought she looked anything like a newspaper reporter... Maybe that's the writers' fault, too. I liked her look in Up, up and Away and she's ok in the current Last Son storyline but the super short hair bugs me.

Now I'm pumped for this new version and am seriously intrigued. Hopefully the end result will look close if not exactly like the sketches. Her eyes have just as much "steel" in them as her husband's...which is BEYOND AWESOME. *grin* Isn't it cool they both have expressive eyes? As if he was looking for a soulmate with eyes as piercing as his... Or almost. His peepers are sure unmatched in their intensity.

Says Gary Frank:

"I didn't want her to be this tall, voluptuous beauty that takes men's breath away when she enters a room. Geoff [writer] said that it was fine if no one noticed her when she entered the room, but after she had said her piece, all eyes would be on her when she left. For her build, I just wanted her to have strong, defined legs that looked made specifically for stomping in and out of editors' offices."

Awesome. I love her thinner lips and high cheekbones, too. She looks very much the strong Lois Lane I've envisioned. Beautiful, cool, collected one moment, and fiesty and boiling with excitement and energy the next. Lex is also spot-on and I would have liked Supergirl more if she wasn't so thin-looking (my fave version is that of Renato Guedes), though I like that Frank didn't overdo with the boobs on purpose to cater to fanboys and actually plans on drawing her gangly instead of just Paris Hilton stick-thin because that's apparently the most popular look for a girl's body from the point of view of many guys. >_>;

I still laugh whenever some guy online moans how Guedes' Supergirl is "fat". I can't believe he can't see how skewed his perception has become because the readers have been fed the starved, impossible stick-thin figure for 19 issues and think it's the norm for a real girl. It's probably the way Guedes draws her knees that make them scream FAT FAT because I can't see how other parts of her body are anywhere near fat. She's amazingly fat-free still, she's just not overly skinny and she has strong legs (and by strong I don't mean to imply "fat" at all, like saying "healthy" instead of "a few pounds too many"). She's NORMAL. But normal is fat now, apparently. God.

It's like fat and skinny are the only perceived body types but normal does not exist anymore. Gary's version goes back to the very skinny version of Supergirl but I sincerely HOPE she won't be like the Kara in her own issues because that one was a mess before Guedes hopped on board and he's only on for 2 more issues before another creative team starts their work. *sigh* Please, Frank, don't ruin Supergirl again!

Check out more of Gary's art at the above link. Can't wait for October.