2016 Election Begins now: Puppies!

You probably have wondered why I haven't started extensive caucus coverage yet.

Well, a few reasons.  For one, it is a bit early, and if there is anything I have to say, Lucky Bensonhurt has probably already said it.  people want to make assumptions about elections like Virginia's recent gubernatorial race, but it says more about the candidates for governor and Virginia in November 2013 than it says anything about the state of National politics two years from now.

I have already told you my thoughts, but I will recount.  Ted Cruz most certainly will run.  It's impossible to think anything but that Rand Paul is running.  Surely, Rick Santorum still feels the call and will be active.  I also think Joe Biden will run.  Biden called the Coralville mayor and congratulated him on his win (the Democrat beat a heavily Koch Bros backed opponent) and attended the Harkin Steak Fry this August.

Again, we are clearly in the 'testing the waters' phase, and although that's not the total rundown of events, those are the most active players to date.

Until this weekend, when Sarah Palin set foot in the Hawkeye State.

She took a bold chance and has come out as being pro-puppy.



Okay there isn't a better chance to be cynical than a potential presidential candidate getting photo ops with puppies.  Even if it is a good thing.  Palin and Sen. Mike Lee put in a good word for service dogs (one of my favorite causes) and got the appropriate face time with Central Iowan Republicans.

Palin did some of this stuff around this time last election cycle, so there's no guarantee of anything.

Still, puppies.

I Read Comics: Sandman Overture

Sandman: The Overture (DC/Vertigo)- written by Neil Gaiman-   There's an inherent contradiction in Sandman that runs akin to say, Nirvana getting big.

You see there's probably no comic that has went down better with people who don't buy comics than i can think of.  it's at least on the short list with Dark Knight Returns, Watchmen, and Maus.  I want to scream at all the people who haven't bought comics in years that rushed out to buy this.  For sure, you can't tell me that you wouldn't have enjoyed, say Ex Machina or Fables.

Still, the flipside is that it's people who would never pick up these books, and if they're buying comics then it must be a good thing.

I know.

Looking back and reading Overture, it's perverse that this comic ever got where it is today and is the eight most ordered comic of the month.  Gaiman does very well for himself, but it's impossible to see how this succeeded in the first place.  Indeed, had the generation not grown up on the rise of Image, the launch of Spawn, the idea of Vertigo Comics, the goth-pop of the Cure, Tim Burton's Batman and the rise of Tori Amos, surely without all these ingredients, we wouldn't have arrived here.

Indeed, the idea of non-superhero comics being pushed may not have been ever embraced by the Big two, but it's much worse now.  Vertigo content to stick with only well-established titles like Astro City and established writers.  Marvel's attempts seemed limited to making even more gory versions of Punisher.  Image and Dynamite both are doing great work, but you probably wouldn't know it, even if you walked into your local comic shop.

I can't remember anything that approached the excitement of Sandman from the mass audience.  There have been titles that cropped up- Starman, Preacher, Sandman Mystery Theater- but nothing like Sandman.  One glaring exception of course- The Walking Dead- but the reason back issues are bringing $100 apiece is because no one was buying it before the tv series became popular.

Commentary aside, what do I think of the prequel?  Surely more exciting than the Before Watchmen push which appeared to be a cash-in, even if it had some inspired moments.

Gaiman meets the lofty expectations, by weaving a story that strikes a nice balance of being true to the fans, but fairly accessible to new readers.  JH Williams III as artist is an excellent choice.  It echoes his strong work on Moore's Promethea and fits well into the canon. 

The book doesn't feel separated in time (like what generally happens in books like Miller's DK2, but as if it was interned all along.

Although, it is only the first issue, Gaiman seems to have pulled it off, and if you were on the fence, then you should go ahead and commit.

...And it's On!

So I told you about Palin and Mike Lee's visit to Des Moines for the Faith and Freedom Coalition fundraiser.

Well, you can't just let sarah grab all the headlines, can you?

Which is why Rick Perry is in Des Moines.  He is on the Sunday local news program calling the Iowa caucus "quirky" (which is code for saying he finished fifth last time) but "manageable" (which means he really wants to win this time).

So is Rick Santorum.  He is here ostensibly to attend a film at the local cinema.  No, not "Thor 2", but to promote his new movie.  rather, the movie released by the studio that he is the CEO of- "The Christmas Candle". 

it allows Rick to say the usual things like that Hollywood has long been the Devil's Playground, and the film will be known (if it is known at all) for being Susan Boyle's big screen debut.

So there's that.

Paul Ryan next week for the Republican governor's birthday, just in case you forgot him.