Alan Kistler, Author at The Mary Sue

Agent of S.T.Y.L.E. – Aquaman’s Aquatic Apparel

Last week, we got to see an image of how Jason Mamoa will appear when he portrays Aquaman in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. The largely monochromatic image has largely been met with approval for showing Momoa's Aquaman to be someone who most of us would not want to fight, one who is ready to unite the seven seas or seven core members of the Justice League or the seven Horcruxes perhaps. Let's look at what's led us to this point in costuming history...

Feb 27, 2015

The Secret to Superman Stories is NOT Super-Flare

Last week, Superman developed a new super-power. Sort of. This ability, which Batman calls "super-flare," is an extension of heat-vision, expelling the solar energy in Superman's body in one destructive blast, then leaving him powerless for about twenty-four hours. There have been several who have suggested that such a power is good because it is the key to making Superman more interesting and more human.

Feb 12, 2015

[UPDATED] Why is Rape in Batwoman More Interesting Than Marriage to DC Comics?

DC Comics' Batwoman title has made waves once again, but probably now how they intended.

Dec 3, 2014

Wonder Woman’s New 52 Origin Should Not Be Used in Film (or At All)

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice producer Charles Roven says they'll be using Wonder Woman's DC Comics' "New 52" reboot origin rather than the story imagined by her original writer and creator William Moulton Marston. I think using the New 52 origin in general, much less in these films, is a mistake which diminishes the character and goes against why she was created in the first place.

Nov 25, 2014

Agent of S.T.Y.L.E. – Answering the Question

There is a faceless vigilante who has stalked comics since the late 1960s. They started with Vic Sage and continued with Renee Montoya, a Gotham City detective who marveled at superheroes and then became one herself. Both of them, when wearing a faceless mask and a fedora, were called the Question. Who are they, and what is their connection to Watchmen, a near-forgotten Batman villain, and a strange man called Mr. A? Glad you asked. Read on!

Jun 26, 2014

We All Benefit From Better Representation

It's 2014, and I keep asking myself: Why aren't we farther than this? I don't just mean the lack of space colonization, sarcastic robots, and hoverboards that films promised me would be here by now. I mean representation in pop culture and storytelling. Seems we should be better about that, especially when the explanations for why we're not all sound pretty crap.

Jun 20, 2014

Agent of S.T.Y.L.E. – The Swashbuckling Nightcrawler!

Nightcrawler

Almost since I learned what an X-Men was, my favorite mutant hero has been Kurt Wagner (pronounced "Vaug-nerr") aka Nightcrawler. A devout Catholic swordsman who looks like a demon and buckles swashes with the best of them, Kurt won me over with his affable nature, his flamboyant humor an

Jun 12, 2014

Agent of S.T.Y.L.E. – Captain Atom’s Atomic Ensemble! Part 2

Welcome back, loyal readers. Last time, in Part 1, we discussed the different incarnations of Captain Atom that existed up until 1986 (along with Grant Morrison's version, who'll show up again soon in Multiversity). We saw how the Charlton hero Captain Allen Adam was caught in a nuclear blast and then impossibly rematerialized as an atomic-powered man. Now let's check out how DC Comics has portrayed the hero called Captain Atom and what other characters were spawned from his creation. Ready? Sweet!

Jun 5, 2014

What Do the Stars and Original Creator of Doctor Who Have to Say About a Female Doctor?

This past Wednesday, many of us chatted about Steven Moffat's remarks concerning casting a female in the titular role of Doctor Who. It seemed like a good idea to delve into the opinions of other people who have been involved in the program, as well as some of those who've played the Time Lord hero who makes a habit of transforming his body in order to avoid death.

May 30, 2014

Agent of S.T.Y.L.E. – Captain Atom’s Atomic Ensemble! Part 1

For generations, humanity has been fascinated by the power and destructive force of atomic weapons. Tapping into this, multiple comic book publishers have featured heroes who have taken the name Captain Atom. You may know about Nathaniel Adam, the DC Comics hero who wields incredible quantum power. But what about the versions that preceded him? Let's take a look at the history of the heroes called Captain Atom, and a few related characters, from 1948 up to 1987.

May 29, 2014

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