I cannot really call myself a comics fan just because I am familiar with the names and overall stories of the most famous characters. That’s just popular culture saturation. I know some real devotees, and those people can discuss different genres, know the names of artists, aware of obscure series, and dissect the aesthetics of comics with the same depth I apply to theater, cinema, or literature. Yet, I do appreciate the idea of a superhero, a human with extraordinary abilities and skills. In a sense, Ayn Rand‘s John Galt is a superhero. Some of the stories written by comics’ authors are just as dark and prophetic. And, I’ve seen the original drawings of the best creators: there is no question in my mind – it’s art.
On the other hand, cinematic interpretations of graphic novels, the money-making machines of Marvel and DC Comics, rarely measure up to the original sources. I don’t even remember when was the last time that I saw a comic-based movie on a big screen… Until this summer’s release of Joss Whedon‘s The Avengers.
I’ve always had a weak spot for Joss Whedon’s creative powers. His visions, both phantasmagorical and futuristic, yet so human, are among my guilty pleasures. Amazingly, the man is capable of making all sorts of creatures sexy and soulful. After all, he brought vampires with various personality traits into our lives way before the recent wave of the blood-sucking hype. He is to current supernatural TV programming, what Nirvana is to contemporary Rock.
Stephenie Meyer may list Shakespeare and Jane Austin as influences for her deplorable writing all she wants; and the story how the idea of love between a human girl and a vampire came to her in a dream on June 2, 2003 is a great PR ploy. But isn’t it uncanny that Joss Whedon aired the last episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer series on May 20, 2003. Maybe the young Mormon wife and mother was simply missing Buffy’s heat.
So, because it’s written and directed by Joss Whedon, I went to see The Avengers… And it was very entertaining, exhilarating, sufficiently layered for those who want to look beneath the surface, and accessible to those who just want to have fun – in other words, it was very Joss Whedon. I mean, who else would be able to take the Incredible Hulk and not only accentuate the character’s original traits, but make him even more tragic, brilliant, powerful, soulful… and funny?
Yeah, the Incredible Hulk as interpreted by Joss Whedon – oh boy, do I relate to that character, or what? I mean, “That’s my secret, captain. I’m always angry,” – it’s like he went into my head and read it on my cerebral cortex. Always angry, but in control most of the time. Well, in my case, practically all the time, trying to channel the frustration through writing, cursing at the toilet bowl, or stomping on a piece of paper; only wishing that I could unleash the anger for real.
When I just started this blog, I took time to explain in several posts my take on frustration and its management. In one of them, I nominated John McEnroe as the frustration release hero . And, he definitely is that, but if I were to expand my search pool beyond mere humans… Joss Whedon’s Dr. Banner/Hulk definitely takes the first prize – reserved, humble, unstoppable when angered by bad guys, and with a sense of humor regardless of his physical/mental state.
Watching him handling Loki’s arrogance was probably one of the most satisfying therapeutic experiences I’ve had in a long time. For a hot second I felt avenged. Oh, how I yearn for an ability to do that to some people! In fact, I think it would work for me even better than Darth Vader’s management style.
The Frustrated CFO 