A Belated Birthday...

Yesterday would have been the 94th birthday of American comic writer and artist Will Eisner. He is perhaps most famous for his creation of "The Spirit."

Eisner created "The Spirit" in June 1939 as a seven-page urban crime fighter story. It was published in the Sunday newspaper. The comic ran June 1940 through 1952. The tabloid-sized feature followed the vigilante crime fighter, the Spirit, through his adventures, which he funded from the rewards he received when he captured villains. The only character to truly know who he was, and in turn gave him permission, was the Spirit's friend Central City Police Commissioner Dolan.



While the character of the Spirit became one of the classic icons of comic history, Eisner was often criticized for his portrayal of Ebony White, the African American sidekick. Often portrayed as a caricature of the racial "blackface" often associated with Jim Crow:

The Will Eisner Comic Industry Award, also known as The Eisner Award, given every year to celebrate American comic artists and writers. It was named in honor of Will Eisner, and is considered to be the most prestigious award a comic artist and writer can receive. It also includes the comic industry's Hall of Fame.

Second Chances

As most of you already know, Christopher Nolan has announced that Anne Hathaway is going to be playing Selina Kyle/Catwoman in the upcoming Batman movie. In adition to a new and improved Catwoman, Wonder Woman is being considered as a new television show.

While Selina Kyle has been done in the past, she has not been looked at twice since Halle Berry portrayed her. Unfortunately, not only did they change her name to Patience, they re-worked the entire universe to have amlost no relation to Batman.

While it can be argued Hathaway might be a little too nice to play Catwoman, I'm still excited to see her in action. Nolan has a tendency to bring out the best in actors. Besides, it is about time we get a decent Selina Kyle since Michelle Pfeiffer.

As for Wonder Woman, the pilot has been written, and the McG has been chosen to direct it. All that is left is the actress to portray Wonder Woman.

NBC, who owns Syfy, has done some nice jobs in the past in reworking old shows, such as Battlestar Galactica. True others have not been so brilliant, such as the miniseries Bionic Woman, but there seems to be potential with this version of Wonder Woman.