Author: E. Peterman

Mom. Geek. Journalist.

Four Reasons to Visit ‘Riverdale’

Get in on the scandalous awesomeness of Archie’s TV world.

A memorable scene in episode one of “Riverdale” perfectly captures what makes this CW drama work. Archie and Veronica end up in a closet for Seven Minutes in Heaven during a party, and Veronica begins to see through Archie’s wholesome exterior.

“You’re a lot more dangerous than you look, aren’t you?” she asks.

“You have no idea,” he says.

Well!

“Riverdale” is far more dangerous than the historically G-rated comics universe it’s based on, and therefore destined to be polarizing. But if last Thursday’s crackling debut is any indication, it promises to be a juicy treat full of curveballs and intrigue. The show pulls off an impressive feat in maintaining the essence of beloved and loathed archetypes while turning their volume way up and messing with viewers’ expectations. Continue reading “Four Reasons to Visit ‘Riverdale’”

The First Princess That Mattered

Hey, Carrie. You mean a lot to us.

Leia was the first princess who mattered to me.

Carrie Fisher — actress, feminist, author and truth-teller about living with mental illness — was not the “Star Wars” character she played. But to a girl growing up in the ‘70s and ‘80s, her portrayal of a brave, take-charge leader with a biting wit was unforgettable. I can’t imagine anyone else ripping Grand Moff Tarkin (“I recognized your foul stench when I was brought on board.”), matching fast-talking Han Solo line for line (“Captain, being held by you isn’t quite enough to get me excited.”), and choking Jabba the Hut dead with the very chain he used to keep Leia captive.

Luke got the lightsaber, but Princess Leia was the character I wanted to be. Continue reading “The First Princess That Mattered”

Archie #1 is a flawless relaunch

Looks like Riverdale is reborn in the best way possible.

Writer Mark Waid and artist Fiona Staples are working a special kind of magic with Archie #1. They’ve managed to create something that’s fresh and surprising without sacrificing any of the things that make the best Archie stories so much fun. The two of them just plain get it, and the result is a flawless re-launch that will delight longtime readers and intrigue newcomers. Continue reading “Archie #1 is a flawless relaunch”

Panel of the Week: Betty Grows a Spine

Oh, snap!

In a previous post, I provided ample evidence that Veronica Lodge is the worst best friend in comics. I also issued a plea for Betty to, once and for all, tell that backstabbing, entitled heifer where to go after decades of this nonsense. She finally did, and it was fantastic. (Spoiler Alert) Continue reading “Panel of the Week: Betty Grows a Spine”

Binge Reading: Alex + Ada

E. dives in to what makes Alex + Ada worth your time.

Awkward.
Awkward.

If you had the resources, would you buy companionship? Not the temporary human kind but something programmed to serve and please you? And what if that companion were so lifelike that, at first glance, you wouldn’t know he or she wasn’t sentient?

It’s possible in Alex + Ada (Image), and the answers aren’t as simple as you’d think. The subject of people interacting with human-like beings has been explored before, but Alex + Ada goes beyond the obvious pros and cons to unfold in ways that are surprising, frequently suspenseful and emotionally resonant. After totally sleeping on this comic by Jonathan Luna and Sarah Vaughn for the past year, I’ve gone into full binge-reading mode. Continue reading “Binge Reading: Alex + Ada”

A new era for Wonder Woman

E. reviews Wonder Woman #36.

Wonder Woman entered the Meredith and David Finch era last week with issue #36, and the good news is that it succeeds in bridging the previous run and the new without being off-putting for new readers. Those of us who were worried about Diana looking overly cheesecakey can breathe easy, as David Finch’s take on the character is respectful. Meredith Finch’s story is perfectly fine overall, and I’m glad to see Wonder Woman back at the center of her title. There is no real “wow” factor to the proceedings, though. That’s not a deal-breaker this early in the game, but I do hope there is more than standard fare on the horizon. Check out my full Newsarama review HERE.

JL splash Wonder Woman 36

Saying Goodbye to Archie

E. reviews Life With Archie #36.

As a longtime Riverdale fan, I had all of the feelings when Archie Comics announced a certain iconic redhead’s death in Life With Archie #36, out last week. You can read my review in Newsarama (and Lindsey’s review of Squidder #1), but suffice it to say that it fell short in my opinion. I say that as someone who has thoroughly enjoyed the Life With Archie series overall and cares about the characters in that universe. Check it out, and if you’ve read this issue, I’d love to know what you thought.

On brighter note, my friend Craig had an amazing idea: “It’s the perfect opportunity to pitch my proposal for “Betty and Veronica: Riverdale’s Avenging Angels.”

You’re welcome, comics.

Wonder Woman Is …

Wonder Woman’s distinguished guest appearance in Secret Six is one of our favorite Diana moments.

Imagine for a moment being on Wonder Woman’s bad side. And then she shows up unexpectedly to have a little talk with you.

Cue awe and soiled garments.

That’s a scenario writer Gail Simone and artist Nicola Scott set up beautifully when Diana confronted our favorite anti-heroes in Secret Six #12. Wonder Woman’s memorable guest appearance through issue #14 was the icing on top of one of Secret Six’s best arcs, “The Depths.” There are so many things about this story I love, starting with the stark contrast between the highly principled princess and the most delightfully morally ambiguous crew in comics. In this arc, Wonder Woman was an imposing, justice-demanding force of nature. In other words, awesome. (Spoilers ahead) Continue reading “Wonder Woman Is …”

Wonder Woman Is …

Celebrating the moments DC got the Amazon Princess right.

With Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang officially departing the Wonder Woman book this summer, our favorite Amazon is ripe for reassessment and, one can always hope, redemption. According to Bleeding Cool, Meredith and David Finch will take over writing and illustrator duties respectively.

Of all the issues G3 has had with the current run, Chiang’s exceptional art wasn’t one of them. Given the many conversations that have taken place about how female comics characters are drawn (See: The Hawkeye Initiative), the fact that DC is putting its marquee superheroine in the hands of an artist whose style skews cheesecake is a letdown but, at this point, not surprising. Having never read any of Meredith Finch’s work, I am keeping an open mind. Simply making the stories about the title character would be an improvement.

After V. and I reached our individual breaking points with the current state of Wonder Woman, we started talking about the times when creative teams got Diana absolutely right. In the spirit of being constructive, we decided to share some shining moments that captured the Amazon princess as she should be. Continue reading “Wonder Woman Is …”

WTF? Wednesday: Girl Gone Wild

Kissing is the path to ruin.

As every smart parent knows, the best way to keep kids from becoming sexually active is to treat their feelings as something dirty, destructive and unmentionable. This is particularly true when you are raising daughters, because society does not go far enough in enforcing a double standard for males and females. Girls, nothing is more important than maintaining a good reputation! Take it from “First Kiss,” the cautionary tale from Falling In Love #118:

Your first boyfriend … Your first date … And your first kiss! And suddenly that one kiss leads to another and another and another … until you finally have to ask yourself: “Am I still worthy of love?” Continue reading “WTF? Wednesday: Girl Gone Wild”

Proof that Veronica Lodge is the worst best friend ever

Veronica Lodge: Knifing you with a smile since the 1940s.

After a lifetime of reading Archie comics, I have yet to receive a satisfactory answer to a burning question. And no, it’s not “What does Archie have that has kept two women on lock for 70 years?”

I want to know why Betty Cooper keeps dealing with Veronica Lodge. Continue reading “Proof that Veronica Lodge is the worst best friend ever”

WTF? Wednesday: ‘Full Hands, Empty Heart’

Happy endings? Sorry. Those are only for same-race couples.

Young Romance #194 (DC Comics, 1973) totally ruined my usual ritual of finding a histrionic romance comic story and mocking it from start to finish. Not that “Full Hands, Empty Heart,” the story about the thwarted love of an African-American nurse and a white doctor, doesn’t have its ridiculous parts. However, I found myself having sincere feelings after reading it. That’s not how WTF? Wednesday is supposed to work! Continue reading “WTF? Wednesday: ‘Full Hands, Empty Heart’”

2014 Comic Book Resolutions

Find your happy place in comics this year.

Row of comicsIn the final weeks of 2013, I finally got real with my pull list. I’d been on autopilot for a long time, continuing to buy comics I wasn’t dying to read and letting them pile up. Fear of being out of the loop or abandoning beloved characters was holding me back, but I finally found the gumption to make big changes. I’m looking forward to a fresh start this year.

In the spirit of the new year, we came up with some advice to guide you to happier reading in 2014. Continue reading “2014 Comic Book Resolutions”

G3 Gift Guide: For the Muggles in Your Life

Girls Gone Geek has some gift ideas for your last minute shopping.

Over the years, we have attempted to advise the muggle world on what to get us geeks for Giftsmas. We’re switching it up a little this go around. We want to help YOU, our beautiful nerd followers, decide what to get the lovely laymans in your life. Be it family, friends or your boo – these presents are enjoyably accessible and may even bring them closer to the dark side. So, let’s get this party started, eh? Continue reading “G3 Gift Guide: For the Muggles in Your Life”