Ms. Marvel? Meh.

After all the hype around the new, Muslim Ms. Marvel, I had high hopes. But it proved rather lacklustre.

An electronic copy of Ms. Marvel #1 was my Valentine’s Day gift in lieu of chocolate. As it turns out, I really should have asked for a Twix bar instead.

Kamala Kahn, the new Ms. Marvel, is adorable with all her teenage angst predictably fuelled by the desire to fit in and be associated with the right people.

As the only daughter of a relatively strict immigrant father, I remember sharing similar sentiments to those expressed by Khan towards her father and his rules when I was in high school.

For me, this common ground just wasn’t enough to make up for the boring dialogue between Khan and Captain Marvel. Here’s my interpretation of what their conversation boiled down to, “Oh, Captain Marvel I wish I were just like you”, “Sure thing. Here you go, kid. It’s just not all it’s cracked up to be”. Ta-dah! Now you’re a blonde superhero.

Really?! How many times have we read, seen or heard this before? Just because your character is breaking new ground culturally, it doesn’t excuse a poor storyline.

Ms. Marvel I grade you two of out of five stars. You had me at “Either eat the bacon or stick to your principles” but lost me at “You must have some kind of weird boot fetish”.

Keeping it up

I’ve yet to proclaim my New Year’s resolutions. But I do know at least one will involve a greater commitment to fitness.

The more I think about this, the more confident I am that finding the motivation to strive for peak performance (e.g. mental alertness, physical prowess,vigilance) is simply easier for superheroes. Their existence depends on it.

For the rest of us, this kind of motivation can wane from time to time with much more subtle consequences. My commitment to physical fitness almost always lands on the back burner but thankfully when this happens the world’s safety isn’t put in jeopardy.

If you’re like me and have more than one resolution how do you juggle all of them and maintain the motivation to keep this circus act up all year—when the weight of the world doesn’t rest on your shoulders?

Does Wolverine suffer from PTSD?

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD, has recently been a topic of media attention in light of more and more armed forces personnel coming forward and talking about this mental health issue.

The Canadian Mental Health Association defines Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as an anxiety disorder characterized by reliving a psychologically traumatic situation, long after any physical danger involved has passed, through flashbacks and nightmares. http://www.cmha.ca/mental_health/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/#.UqvNbvRDuKo

It would appear PTSD is nothing new and has plagued man kind for centuries. What is relatively new is the help and support available.

Wolverine from the X-Men appears to struggle with PTSD and would likely benefit from the support of a mental health professional. Professor Xavier should bear this in mind when stuffing stockings this Christmas.

Since the holiday season can be stressful and for some that stress can trigger a variety of anxiety disorders, now is the right time to be your most brave and get the help you need.

Weighing in on Wonder Woman

This blog topic is courtesy of my friend, Dave. Thank you for your contribution.

Gal Gadot

Wonder Woman fans are a flap—some in outrage and others in support—to the recent news that a waif, Gal Gadot, will play Wonder Woman on the big screen.

The Israeli actress will appear in the follow up to Man of Steel, Batman vs. Superman.

Online fans and critics alike immediately began criticising Gadot’s small frame, claiming she could never embody an Amazionian woman while others were furious over another issue altogether, why doesn’t Wonder Woman get to star in her own movie?

As a fan, I’d like to weigh in on both of these topics:

1. To address the first controversy: female superheroes come in all shapes and sizes and don’t always conform the comic book mould of Barbie-esque proportions. Those that do, get bums in seats in the theatres. Admittedly, I’m a fan of attractive women and Wonder Woman has never been portrayed as anything but (unless you take into account some horrendously ill-fitting Halloween costumes).
2. Large-scale movie production companies have to cater to where the money is, based on their research only male-dominated (with a side of hot, skinny ass) action movies amount to significant box office earnings. For the record, I would go to the theatre to see a Wonder Woman movie and likely drag my husband along too.

Source: http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/gal-gadot/images/34959919/title/yasmine-photo

Your daily dose of inspiration

Stumbled across this image today and loved it. Thought you might too.

Reasoning with the Hulk

Marvel Comics’ Hulk

What do you do when your two and half year old hulks out?

My daughter is the embodiment of sugar and spice, until bedtime. That’s been of little consequence over the past eight months since we’ve had a really great routine in place that made everyone in my household happy.

All this changed as of last Friday when she proudly started demonstrating her new skill—opening closed doors. This was the beginning of the end of the bedtime routine utopia that’s now nothing more than a distant memory.

In our efforts to keep our little munchkin in her room at bedtime, we purchased and installed one of those “child proof” door knob covers that make turning a door knob three times more arduous for any adult.

Wednesday night, we maintained our routine and after a reading stories, rubbing her back and dolling out hugs and kisses, I exited her bedroom and closed the door. This ignited a fury like nothing I have ever been privy to before—one that can only be likened to Bruce Banner’s transition into the Hulk.

She practically broke down the door  with her little fists, elbows, knees, feet and wooden stool. The door knob cover was no match. Within five minutes it was torn off and lay broken on the floor.

She obviously won that battle and similar battles that have taken place over the course of the last week. I’m exhausted and in dire need of advice on how to calm down the Hulk that doesn’t include giving in. Any ideas?

Superheroes on our streets… kinda

I read with amusement today that there are superheroes, sans super powers, walking our streets—well, those of various American cities (and Tokyo). See for yourself in Jeff Strickler’s report Holy do-gooders, Batman! Rise of the real-life superheroes.

Tadahiro Kanemasu, a.k.a the “Carry-Your-Pram-Ranger,” carries a woman’s shopping cart at a subway station in Tokyo on Aug. 23, 2013. Photo by Yuya Shino/Reuters

After reading this I came to the following conclusions:

1. I never want to do this. Ever.
2. I applaud Geist’s efforts and those with similar ambitions.
3. Making your community safer is something everyone should aspire to do, albeit through a number of other alternative options.

What do you take away from this besides a desire to put your Wonder Woman boots on?

Happy (belated) anniversary to The Powerpuff Girls

A friend who shares a mutual love of these pint-sized superheroes sent me an article you’ll want to read Here’s why The Powerpuff Girls are feminist super-heroines.

If by chance you have no idea who The Powerpuff Girls are, you’re in luck! This article not only provides an awesome introduction to Bubbles, Blossom and Buttercup but a compelling argument why you should love them. And really, how can you not love the dynamic combination of heroism and cuteness?!

What’s in your utility belt?

Most of us don’t have the same financial resources as Bruce Wayne—the millionaire behind the Batman mask with unlimited access to crime fighting tools and equipment.

Nonetheless, many everyday people have evolved so sufficiently they can juggle  work and life seamlessly with little need to relay on their finances. Keep in mind I’m not in the least claiming to be one of these super humans.

In my opinion, this form of success really comes down to what’s in your metaphorical utility belt. An amazing support system is an example that comes to mind as one tool in this kind of belt.

What’s in your utility belt?

It’s all in the company you keep

For those who have been following the Rob Ford circus of strange and unusual events in Canadian municipal politics, this will resonate with you—the people you associate with influence others’ perceptions of you.

Wonder Woman, for example, made the right decision teaming up with Batman, Superman, Green Lantern, and other “do-gooders” to form the Justice League in 1960. These associations likely elevated her status, helped break down gender barriers, forged strategic alliances with like-minded individuals (also known as networking), and increased her likelihood of survival (the flip side being that she also inherited new enemies).

I’d like to think that the people I associate with help me achieve more than I would without them in my life, and help increase my creditability with others. Not that we should always take to heart what others’ think of us but it’s good to know when you’re in someone’s good or bad books. And with Santa watching and all, now’s as good a time as any to follow Wonder Woman’s lead over Rob Ford’s.

The Justice League http://www.dccomics.com/characters/justice-league