The race of superheroes

The new Black-Hispanic Spider-Man seems to have all comicdom in a frenzy and heated debate about diversity, racism, and comic book continuity. The fact is that changing the race/gender of a character for a while is nothing new (see below), creating an “ethnic” version of a popular character is a gimmick being used for decades, and these things are not the same as creating new multicultural characters that are strong on their own and not a stand-in. Still, it should help sell some more books. And if anybody should do it, Brian Michael Bendis is the man for the task, him being the ultimate Spider-Man guy for the past 10 years.

Meanwhile the ugly and embarrassing battle between Marvel Comics and the late comics master Jack Kirby rages on, with Marvel temporarily winning the tug of war over who has the rights over Kirby’s creations: the artist himself or the company who paid him to do it. The fate of characters like Spider-Man hilmself, The Incredible Hulk, The Fantastic Four, Thor, The X-Men, The Avengers, Ant-Man, Nick Fury and The Rawhide Kid hang on the line.

And while the Spider-Man musical continues to be enmeshed in controversy over its future, leave it to Bono to upstage the superhero.

My new favorite picture

New Superman

Meanwhile over at DC, they made available the first look at Henry Cavill as the new Superman in the film from director Zack Snyder (300, Watchmen). Is his costume made of bubble wrap? And what's with the slicked-back hair? Not so super.

Grace Jones and Canada Dry

She can be creepy even drinking soda.

Captain America

Yes, Captain America is probably one of the dullest heroes in the Marvel pantheon. But he’s also one of the most iconic. Writers are constantly struggling to keep Steve Rogers relevant despite his one-note patriotic raison d’être. Bearing all this in mind, Captain America, the movie, hits all the right spots and if the result is a little dull, it's not the movie's fault, but its own star-spangled super soldier.

Hugo Weaving wavers in his Red Skull performance (not very menacing despite the kick-ass wardrobe) but Tommy Lee Jones is perfect casting as Colonel Chester Phillips. And there are great touches such as a visit to the New York World's Fair of 1943, a non-corny depiction of Caps' relationship with sidekick Bucky, and the great retrofit of putting Iron Man’s father, Howard Stark, as the government’s tech guy who helps create Captain America. And, like X-Men: First Class, this period piece is rooted in real-life events, this time the Nazi occupation of Norway and World War II theatre.

Say what you will about the Summer of Superhero Blockbusters, but Marvel comes out with a respectable group of movies that pave the way nicely for next summer’s Avengers movie. On their own, Captain America, Thor and the first Iron Man movies are entertaining and competent and even the Hulk failed attempts had their moments. Bravo to Marvel for turning more of its characters into marquee names.

Crystalline

Björk's new video, another one directed by Michel Gondry. The song is typical Björk, so if her voice grates you, turn off the sound and enjoy the animation.

My new favorite image

Batman Live

This is looking pretty good, despite earlier skepticism.

Only in Brazil

Apparently, a yellow Ipe tree was cut and made into a pole in Porto Velho, Rondônia. After the utility wires were installed, the tree rebelled and came back to life regrowing its branches and blooming its beautiful yellow flowers.

My new favorite image

By Han Hoogerbrugge

Absolute

Absolute World Towers, being built in Mississauga, Ontario. Completion scheduled for August. I'm surprised it's not shaped like a vodka bottle.

U2

U2 rocked Toronto on Monday night with their 360° Tour de force and their 360-degree stage in the shape of an alien spider.

The show came to town late since being postponed last year when Bono hurt his back. But the greatest showman/egomaniac on the face of the earth is back in shape (except for a little paunch) and looking good at 51. Say what you will, the man is charming and entertaining as hell (Mephisto?) – it’s no wonder he’s got the leaders of the world on speed-dial.

The rest of the guys have a certain regal-ness to them, a sort of “rock star royalty” stance. And seem to be all too happy to leave center stage for their ring leader. Scenes from the beginning of their career helped put in perspective where they are today and how these middle-aged guys can fill stadiums any day of the week anywhere with more than 60,000 people.

The concert was a string of hits and energetic performances by Bono. It was also a political free-for-all, mixing music and heavy-handed populism, with messages ranging from human rights to religion being systematically delivered in the 360-degree screen above the band. You could also sign up for Amnesty International initiatives during pre- and post-show.

Bono called Canadians “idealists,” praised their “leadership” and declared his love for the country.

A great show and not as much spectacle as I expected, despite cameos from astronauts from the International Space Station and the incredible, stretching, 360-degree screen which enveloped the band and turned the stadium into a disco tornado.  The band came out for two (pre-scheduled) encores.

Here’s a couple of great moments from the show.

Cave of Forgotten Dreams

Werner Herzog does it again and takes us to another place we’ll never be able to go. This time he takes a 3D camera into a cave in the South of France that has been blocked for thousands of years and contains the oldest cave paintings in recorded history (about 30,000 years old) in pristine condition.

At first, the thought of being inside a cave for an entire movie seems daunting, but leave it to Herzog to bring the cave alive with an examination of the human condition through lessons in Paleontology, Art History, Archeology, Anthropology and Religious Studies. Long after you leave the theatre, the darkness and discoveries of the Chaveut Cave still haunt you and put in perspective how much different or similar we really are to that cave artist tens of thousands of years ago.

Natural love

Super Art Nouveau

Kate Bornstein

Last week gender warrior granny Kate Bornstein was in Toronto reading excerpts of her recounting of Huckleberry-Finn-as-a-tranny-in-New-Orleans story. Quite entertaining.

My new favorite picture

Album cover for Kanye West and Jay-Z’s album Watch the Throne, designed by Givenchy creative director Riccardo Tisci.

Sign of the times

The Pope sends out his first (and marketing-savvy) Tweet.

Meanwhile, in Brazil, the first gay marriage in the country happened last week. (Note the drag queen as one of the witnesses.)