Compelling Character Corner

The Legend of King Arthur: Derfel Cadarn .  Celtic Britons While I was reading about the intimidating nature of Derfel Cadarn, I couldn't help but notice his immense power in the various poems and annales—he fought the Anglo-Saxons in Edinburgh and across England and Wales. He was a renowned man; a man who serves as the central character in Bernard Cornwell's Warlord Chronicles. T hough a work of fiction, it's based on historical events from the British wars fending off the Germanic influx of invaders. Derfel Cadarn is rightly portrayed as an exceptionally skilled and courageous fighter. This led me to wonder about the true identity of the historical figure behind the character, Saint Derfel, and what we might glean from that era. I found a man called Saint Derfel who lived in Wales during the 6th century. He was highly revered by the Catholic Church. Prior to his priesthood, he was likely a trained warrior, which is what Cornwell's book focuses on. After the great Rom

The Cybernetic Outcast: A Symbol for the Futurist Victor Stone, the Cyborg, is basically the internet on legs. Science and technology incarnate, the symbol of what we are becoming. He's MI5, GCHQ, Mossad, the CIA, MI6 and every other secret service, because he could take anything he likes from any of them. This digital world is his to command.  In the Justice League Films and the Snyder cut, we see Cyborg struggle adapting to his cybernetic enhancements and find a way to use them for the greater good. He is a great example of the estranged outcast, self-ostracised or the proverbial lone wolf. In the Film, he begins to make bonds with Flash and Wonder woman somewhat but not so much with Batman or Superman . However, like the man of Steel and Lantern , he can fly, but he can weaponise his cybernetic body, such as his arm into a gun, for example. His command of technology is his own unique perk.  In Teen Titans Go!, the series by Marv Wolfman and George Perez,  Cyborg is quite funn

Hal Jordan, Member of The Green Lantern Corps. Hal Jordan, the fearsome Green Lantern of Sector 2814.  Hal is one of those characters who faces many challenges and setbacks. A man who soldiers on in his stories, loyal to the Corps. A risk taker who had to overcome even the toughest obstacles. That's him in a nutshell, this Top Gun-esque maverick fits the mould, he might grows on you because he'll push the limits to get results. The character has his flaws which is a good thing.  Admittedly, Hal Jordan simply is not as cool as John Stewart. In fact, Jordan could still pass as a cheesy 80s television action hero. He reminds me of that guy from the original 1983 television series V, well he pretty much fits in with the other 80s cheese:  The Green Lantern Corps, however, is a collective force, under the leadership of ancient, blue coloured 'guardians'. Green Lanterns are super advanced space police of the DC Universe, empowered by rings of the highest technological advance

A Historical Blog about the Amazing Joan of Arc: Treasure of France. Jeanne d'Arc, was born in the year 1412 in Domrémy, a village in north eastern France. Her father was Jacques d'Arc, a farmer, and Isabelle Romée. To English speakers she is known as Joan of Arc, and we might picture her in the same light as how the movies and entertainment might portray her: like a pious Wonder women , but raised on Catholicism instead of the old Greek gods.  Joan grew up surrounded by a community that shared a dominant religious worldview, in a land of political unrest, which she would have accepted from a very young age. The key to her story however, was that she told people that she heard the voices of various saints urging her to help France in it's war against England. There was political and religious motivation behind her actions. For in  Domrémy,  God backed the French against the woeful English.  The context of Joan of Arc's story is historical France, which was not very stab

The Justice League The New 52 Justice League: this book sets the course of the journey. I  would say Vol.1 Origin, is the quintessential superhero team formation story to date. However, it's not that it's written or drawn well, but that it set the scene for things to come across all of DC.  This first Justice League book, from my perspective is the next book following Barry Allen's new universe following the  Flashpoint story arc. It's the altered world he returns to at the end of the book, his costume and memories change too, as he speed runs back to 'the future' he thinks he came from—then he's absorbed into it.  The writing, character development and banter in Justice League Origin, is what comic book fans expected from that god-awful Justice League film. Here their dialogue crackles with energy and wit. I mean, even in print we see better action—it keeps your eyes on the page. Writers took risks and pushed boundaries, creating epic story arcs whilst teas

The Hulk: A Green Menace or a Benevolent Force? When it comes to comic book characters, few are as iconic as the Hulk. This olive toned temper tantrumer was created by the comic book legends Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1962, but the Hulk has made a few evolutionary changes—his first colour was a creepy grey, and he had more in common with Wednesday Addams than The Avengers. But who is the Hulk today? What makes him such a compelling character? The central theme of The Incredible Hulk is a study in contrasts, not too dissimilar to that of Dr. Jekyll and Hyde. Likewise, we have the brilliant scientist: Bruce Banner, a man with a calling to understanding the mysteries of the world and his contrasting counterpart, a super strong monster. However, the sage rage of this giant olive tinted philistine has limitations: he simply a vandal; he can't be seen as a victorian murderer, like what we see with the rage of Mister Hyde. The way Hulk/Banner interact within the confines of the same pers

The Superman and His Rebirth!  Superman in his DC Rebirth graphic novel consisting of Action Comics and Superman, crossover well. They make one narrative, well worthy of praise, but, like with all graphic novel collections, there're the dull bits! Going on what we saw with the rebirth arc for  Wonder woman , the writers, acquired a love for superhero tradition, and not even the big man himself could escape it. 'Put them red pants back on!'  Clark Kent and Louis Lane had lost everything, and went into hiding. After surving on an alien planet during the convergence event they finally arrived on the New 52 version of earth. Yet another parallel world. It had it's own Superman and Clark decided to remain in the shadows, focusing on his family but being ready to assist if needed.  It can be a confusing story, especially after reading the New 52 death of Superman (which is a must read). However, those Iconic red trunks and all that old school hero get-up eventually return, in