Latest snow storm

my neighborhood was hit with a recent snowstorm. here are some of the pictures i took as the dog and i perused our block.  

History of abstract art

Woman With Mandolin, Pablo Picasso, 1910

i posted a short blog on my formal website about the latest article i read in The New Yorker. Check it out here.

My generation is 'stuck'

everything happens for a reason. i had made plans to go to the studio to paint, but couldn't make it the day i had planned. it was desperately needed, but too much was going on as i was teaching at multiple institutes at the end of a busy term. finally i found a weekend to escape the city and take the two hour drive with the dog.

 i flipped through radio stations and came across NPR station, WBUR-FM 90.9. i caught the tail end of a series made of a collection of stories of recent graduates trying to make it in the 'real world'. i can relate, being an artist and educator around the same age as those interviewed. it hasn't been easy and i've had to take side jobs that i wasn't necessarily proud of, but i've also been lucky to work in the field i studied and of which i've been so passionate about. nonetheless life has been a struggle since graduating from college, more so than i ever intended. i didn't grow up wealthy, though i was afforded many opportunities others have not. i worked hard in school, was involved in college organizations, charities, and other extracurricular activities, and i have excellent work references. unfortunately for me, i'm competing in the work world against so many with the same list of attributes. understand, i'm not complaining, not completely. our economy makes me work harder and strive to think outside the box to a greater degree. in the end, i know it will be worth it. but i'm craving success now.

 i believe the universe positioned me to be in the car at that time the show was airing. suddenly i wasn't so down on myself. and when i shared this with friends, i found out how many of us are really in the same situation, despite appearances and cheerful smiles.

please check and out share, Generation Stuck.

Graphic novel review

i had been reading so many positive reviews of Batman: Court of Owls, that i put it at the top of my christmas wish list. i've been a long-time batman fan, but have gone through phases in which i decide to collect or not collect any number of titles starring the dark knight. Batman: The Court of Owls served to remind me why i like the character so much. not necessarily because of his determination, will, fighting prowess, or cool gadgets, but rather because of his supporting cast and list of super villains. 

within this graphic novel batman encounters for the first time a new foe, talon, and discovers he's a superhuman agent for an elite corporation of criminals. what's more, as batmam begins unraveling the mystery of the origin of his foes, he learns they have ties to his family. although the court of owls manages to capture and promptly torture the dark knight, the hero perseveres, but barely. with the assistance of former sidekick, nightwing, and long-time aid, alfred pennyworth, batman returns from the brink, this time with that last few pieces of the puzzle. surprisingly, nightwing is unwittingly involved, making batman's next strike against the owls all the more important!

   the novel ends on a cliff hanger, a bit of bummer, as this was a slow build to the meat of the story. i particularly liked how, during batman's mental and physical torture as he made his way through a labyrinth created by the owls, the panels are upside down to illustrate how batman's perceptions have been so severely rearranged. it wasn't until the conclusion of Batman: Court of Owls that i felt i was really invested in the book. batman is a grim avenger, but lightens up (slightly) when around his trusted associates. it's these moments i appreciated the most as it made batman a little more likeable. batman, bruce wayne, has an intense sense of justice, he's a good guy in every sense, and he refuses to accept mortal frailties. it's inspiring and the reader wants the hero to survive to fight for another day.

   terrific characterization from writer scott snyder and incredible pencil and ink work from greg capullo make this collection top notch. the creative team behind Batman: Court of Owls deserves all of the accolades bestowed upon them. the mythology of batman is richer now due to their efforts and i look forward to the sequel, hopefully with more of the batman family involved!

The current united states government

i'm frankly disgusted with congress as of late. while the american people faced economic doom, members of the house were bickering like school children. although going off the "fiscal cliff" was delayed, we'll be back to this soon unless democrats and republicans can agree on viable tax plans. i will say, i've become a bigger fan of vice-president joe biden for his apparent part in 'saving the day'. 

Read more here, "House Votes To Approve 'Fiscal Cliff' Legislation"

Update: noon today i read this. as if the above wasn't enough to dislike our current heads of government, "House Ignores Storm Relief: to Fury of Local Republicans"

i've grown increasingly dissatisfied with the american political system these last few weeks. the people in charge of our country are supposed to be out for our country's best interest. that no longer appears to be the case. maybe i'm just old enough to realize it, or perhaps i'm finally taking a strong enough interest in my country's well being to research the sordid facts. nonetheless i'm disappointed. it should be noted i'm not holding any one person (or party) totally accountable. i'm talking about the whole.

not a brilliant start to a new year, america. 

Random comic book panel of the month

Wonder Woman #101, 1958

Graphic novel review

santa(s) was(were) good to me and i received several graphic novels for christmas. every few weeks i will be posting a review on these books. luckily the flight to and from indianapolis to visit my fiance's family gave me plenty of reading time so i'm ready to begin.

Justice League: Origin, by geoff johns and jim lee

reintroducing the justice league to new and old generations of comic book fans is no easy task, but johns and lee do so in a fun and exciting tale that occurs five years prior to current continuity. from the start, it's apparent that these 'new' heroes are inexperienced, especially when it comes to teamwork. the general populace is terrified of superheroes, many outlawed, and batman, green lantern, the flash, and wonder woman are under suspicion of local and national authorities. on top of it all, personalities clash between the heroes as a galactic despot comes to earth unleashing his demonic army on earth!

each hero has his/her moment to shine, but none more so than batman and green lantern. the dark and emerald knights seem to get more panel time than any other leaguer, with the exception of cyborg whose origin coincides with the formation of the team. batman and green lantern may be the most 'human' of superheroes of the justice league and why johns chose to use these two in particular to further the story. that's not to say johns doesn't take care introducing each character as the battle between the forces of good and evil continues to escalate. besides the over the top intense action, it's these calmer moments between characters, like government agent steve trevor and wonder woman, that really make this book shine. i especially like the humor that comes through, even when the odds seem insurmountable against earth's protectors. there's also a chapters worth of extras that provides back stories on the members of the justice league, adding to the price of admission!

unfortunately, there are a few glaring flaws with this novel. my biggest complaint would be the lack of explanation towards darkseid's motivation of his attack of our planet. i also would have appreciated finding out more about this villain, besides his powers, technology, and horde of creatures, where does he come from? instead we're left with more questions.

also, being a huge long-time fan of wonder woman, i was frankly disgusted that the amazing amazon was treated as a xena, warrior princess, copycat, eager to do battle no matter what the cost. this portrayal seems degrading to a character known for making friends out of her foes, battling only as a last resort. 

Justice League: Origin is a fast paced adventure of seven strangers and ultimately creates the most famous team in comic book history in classic style with good storytelling and illustrations. there's plenty of action, thrills, laughs, and even a little romance thrown in. this graphic novel not only proves to be a great introduction to the justice league, but to the entire dc comics universe.

RIP Gramp

Alfred F. Morse Sr., 1922-2012

my grandfather, alfred f. morse, died, december 17th, 2012 after a series of complicated illnesses and ailing health due to a lifetime of smoking. fred will be remembered for his quick wit, loving patience, as well as his adoration of golf.

fred spent much of his youth in the army, seeing combat in world war 2, before settling down to raise three children with his beloved wife, mary. for many years he and mary owned five large dogs and two cats and at one point a horse. fred was a huge lover of animals. some of my favorite memories of gramp are his fooling around on the guitar, teaching me home remedies his mother once used, bringing my brother and i to the video store to each rent a movie and video game for the weekend, watching the three stooges as the house filled with his boisterous laugh (even at the jokes that weren't really funny), 'trying' to teach me to drive stick, and his famous line, "you don't have to go yet, you just got here!"

i imagine fred is up in heaven, reliving old times with long passed friends or quietly listening to country music from the '50s-'70s, tapping his foot and knee as he hums along. i love you, gramp.

Random comic book panel of the month

Sensation Comics #38, 1945

Inspiring quote