Greeting Loyal Airmen, well another fine Fall week has slipped by us and as ever its been a busy one around the old Hangar 27.  Earlier in the week the Air Chief finally picked up the new Warner Brothers DC animated movie, BATMAN – The Dark Knight Returns (Part One) based on the classic graphic novel by Frank Miller.  We make no secret of our love of WB animation movies.

And it is a bit ironic how Marvel Studios is producing some of the best live action comic book movies ever, as evidence by the just released mega-hit, AVENGERS, but can't produce any decent animated flicks.  The joke is, they are owned by Disney today, one of the greatest animation giants in the business.  Yet somehow, time after time, the folks at DC-WB animation outshine them at every turn, doing these beloved characters brilliantly.  This one is no exception and Peter Weller (the original Robo-Cop) voices the elderly Batman coming out of retirement to save his beloved Gotham City from the ravages of street gangs.  Although sold as a Part One, be aware Bruce Time and his team do give us a complete story with a beginning, middle and effective end, so we aren't left with a cliffhanger awaiting Part Two that will be out in a few months.

                                 
                                             Superhero Green Arrow in ARROW
Speaking of Warner Brothers, their television network this week also hit another bullseye (sorry, couldn't resist the pun) with the debut of their new superhero series, ARROW.  This is based on the second string hero from DC Comics, the Green Arrow.  Created as a back-up feature in the late 1950s, the Green Arrow was very much a Batman want-to-be with a Robin Hood fixation.  Like Batman he had a kid aid, his names Speedy and whereas the Batman has the Batmobile and Batplane, Oliver Queen had his Arrowcar and Arrowplane.

The back story was millionaire playboy Queen is shipwrecked on a South Seas island for a number of years where he teaches himself archery to survive.  When rescued and returned to America, he does the green costume to become a costumed hero, again, much like Batman.  So for many, many years he was a secondary character few fans gave any real attention to.  Then in the mid-sixties, writer Denny O'Neil and artist Neal Adams revamped him entirely, adding a mustache and blond goatee, they made Green Arrow a left-wing liberal who came to be the champion of all kinds of social causes prevalent to that decade.  One that transformation took place he became a much more interesting character and quickly acquired a loyal fan-following to this day.

Now comes this new television interpretation that wisely takes elements from his origin tale and then mixes it with more contemporary elements making him a great deal grimmer and savage than any of his comic personas.  This character, upon his return to his corrupt home city, is not afraid to deal death to the scum who have infested his community.  He is truly a dark avenger more connected with the 30s pulp figures than any of his earlier comic appearances.  After watching the premier episode, we were hooked.  Hopefully this series will remain this fast paced and fun to watch.

                                
                                          HOW TO WRITE COMICS
And finally a week ago Sunday, we began our new teaching class at the local comic shop here in Fort Collins.  This is something the Air Chief has been wanting to do ever since moving to this wonderful city.  We have two students, both eager to learn the art of writing graphic stories and novel and our first night was fun.  For the next seven weeks the Air Chief will be providing them with the tricks of the trade he has acquired over a thirty five year career.  One we have never tired of and still continue to enjoy to the max.  Our goal is nothing less than to see both Ben & Kristine (our students) get published by the end of the course.  And trust me, we will make that happen.

As ever, thanks for stopping by and get out those ghost sheets and skeleton dolls.  Halloween is just around the corner.

Ron – Over & Out!