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October 9

Ethics of Marvel heroes compared to DC heroes

So I will need a Marvel nerd for this I think (I am something of a DC nerd, but mostly Batman). I have noticed that some Marvel Comics heros (like Iron Man) display a greater willingness to kill the baddies than their DC counterparts. I remember that in the Countdown to Infinite Crisis there was a huge "ZOMG" when Wonder Woman broke that guy's neck (the one who made the evil hero-killer bots). In contrast, it seems some Marvel characters will kill opponents (previous example of Iron Man, I am thinking of the film when he wasted so many terrorists, though I've not read a single Iron Man comics). Is this because so many of Marvel's characters are anti-heros? This is all AFAIK by the way so please don't dogpile if I said something silly. Has Marvel's god or anyone else of importance there said anything on this matter? Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie | ^{Say Shalom!} 11 Tishrei 5772 07:25, 9 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Yes. An issue you might want to look for is a one-off comic book called, Phoenix: the Untold Saga (there's a bit of a synopsis here. In a nutshell, the character of Jean Grey apparently went insane from developing godlike levels of power. In her deluded state, she wiped out an entire planet of aliens (and the warship that tried to avenge their deaths). As originally planned, she was going to be "made better" by an alien psycho-lobotomy type thing that would prevent her from accessing that enormous power and therefore return her to sanity. "The Powers That Be" at Marvel, particularly Editor-in-Chief Jim Shooter said that that wasn't good enough - she'd done big-time evil and couldn't just be let off the hook like that (essentially denying the validity of the diminished capacity defense). The book I mentioned contains the transcript of what has become known to comic fans as "The Dark Phoenix Tapes" - a roundtable discussion by various involved parties about how and why the ending was changed to the final version (Jean realizes she will always be a menace and in fact goes wild again on the moon, then killing herself to prevent her completely running amok).

Other issues that examine the ideas you're talking about include the Daredevil:Punisher TPB, where creators Mike Baron and Ralph Macchio talk about the contrasts between the two characters: Daredevil, like Batman, refuses to kill his opponents no matter what, whereas the Punisher goes out of his way to kill his. There was also an interesting issue of Captain America (issue 321) from during Mark Gruenwald's run. At that point, Cap was usually depicted a big blue boy scout (like Superman, in a way) who also never took a life. Separated from his trademark shield, Cap is forced to gun down a terrorist that was about to open fire on a group of hostages. While nobody blames Cap in the slightest, he's wracked with guilt at what he's been forced to do and later issues have him arguing with fellow heroes about the ethics of his actions.

As you may tell, I'm a "Marvel Zombie", so if you'd like further examples or specifics, just ask. :) Matt Deres (talk) 16:38, 10 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Frasier

I'm trying to remember an episode where someone erroneously assumes the Crane family is Jewish, and Niles does a hilarious monolouge of Yiddish expressions and Jewish humor. Anyone familiar with this one? Joefromrandb (talk) 13:27, 9 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]

It sounds like Frasier (season 6)#ep130: "Merry Christmas, Mrs. Moskowitz". PrimeHunter (talk) 13:45, 9 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]

That's the one. Thanks! Joefromrandb (talk) 14:06, 9 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Your description of Zydeco Music

Where did you get your information on Zydeco music.. cause it is mostly wrong and very disrespectful to the many men and women who perform the music and keep their herritage and culture alive and living!!! You need to contact someone with in the Zydeco musicians especially Mr. Stanley Dural, Jr. better known as Buckwheat Zydeco. He is one of the LAST living legends with in the zydeco nation. One of the forefathers of the music and culture. That is where your true description of Zydeco should have came from!!! Cajun music and Zydeco music is NOT THE SAME!!!! Stephanie Gaspard Corner — Preceding unsigned comment added by 166.102.128.169 (talk) 16:35, 9 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]

We don't post phone numbers here. I suggest you discuss your concerns by going to the zydeco article and clicking "discuss" in order to add your comments to the talk page there. μηδείς (talk) 17:56, 9 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Or, better still, if you don't like the description, go right ahead and change it yourself. You can do that, you know. --Viennese Waltz 07:44, 10 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]

But do make sure you have published sources to back your edits up. The users there should hopefully provide good help on the talk page. μηδείς (talk) 04:25, 11 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]

lava channel

Is there a lava channel, or other such cable TV channel (or internet portal) which shows volcanic eruptions or any other entertaining "acts of god" like tornadoes, floods, lightning, atomic blasts, fires, tsunamis, geysers, earthquakes, or so forth, set to music, without text or narration, 24/7? μηδείς (talk) 21:14, 9 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Try Baraka and other films by Ron Fricke and Godfrey Reggio for some such scenes, altho these films are mostly about man's impact on the environment. Pepso2 (talk) 12:18, 10 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks! I didn't care for Qoyaanisqatsi, (sp?) but Baraka looks interesting. Unfortunately I dropped my Netflix membership. Will have to see if I can stream it. μηδείς (talk) 04:24, 11 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Do you have access to a public library? Baraka is worth seeing in the highest definition possible. – Kerαunoςcopia^◁_galaxies 06:04, 11 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Not so much eruptions etc. as I recall, but your question made me think of "The Art Of Landscape" which I used to watch over breakfast when I was a kid- beautiful landscapes, possibly sometimes with lightning and volcanic eruptions but mainly peaceful, but with the music and no narration. Apparently it now exists as The Landscape Channel. MorganaFiolett (talk) 14:07, 11 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks. Don't know why I didn't think of the library but it turns out neither of the Universities where I have privileges nor the local public network has the movie. Damn Netflix bastards. The landscape channel is, of course, exactly what I was looking for, at least the more lambent scenes. Will have to see if I can get internet access. μηδείς (talk) 00:57, 12 October 2011 (UTC)[reply]