Secret Invasion: War of Kings- Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning revamped the cosmic section of Marvel with some impressive work Annihilation, followed it with a solid series in Nova, did an encore in Annihilation: Conquest, continue it with another monthly series in Guardians of the Galaxy, and they have the upcoming War of Kings miniseries. Secret Invasion: War of Kings is a one-shot that serves as a prelude for War of Kings. The story is how the Inhumans (or more actually their king Black Bolt) went into the stars to exact vengeance on the surviving Skrulls. I like how this one-shot show just what the Inhumans are about. They are the most powerful race on Earth but their peaceful ways have been mistaken for weakness for far too long. I mean Black Bolt is the most powerful individual on Earth barring maybe the Sentry and the Hulk. After being abducted and tortured by the Skrulls, it’s time for some revenge. As this is a prelude, SI: Inhumans also show how Black Bolt comes into conflict with Vulcan and the Shi'ar Empire. As these 2 are the kings that will be involved in the War of Kings series, this is necessary but the reason seems like a throwaway afterthought. The attack on the Kree was kind of surprising as there is royal marriage arrangement between these 2 parties. The upcoming marriage between Ronan the Accuser and Crystal was supposed to seal an alliance between the Kree and the Inhumans; why would Black Bolt attack the Kree when they would become allies sooner or later? It smack of the writer’s need to make Black Bolt the king so that he can match up against Vulcan, but outside this detail SI: War of Kings is a success. If nothing else, it makes me look forward to the War of Kings.
Secret Six #5- Villain books need to sick and twisted; I mean they are books about villains right? And in the sick and twisted stakes, Secret Six is a winner. The end to this issue is so twisted that you will wonder how this book ever see print. As I have said before, I’m not a fan of Bane but Gail Simone is slowly but surely winning me over to the character. Bane’s character fit the Six a lot better than I thought it would and his relationship with Scandal Savage is interesting to say the least. Another solid issue in an excellent series
X-Men Noir #2- When you think of the X-Men, you think of the powers they have. So much of their character is based on their powers; sometimes you can’t help but wonder how they would be without their power. How would a powerless Rogue be like? X-Men Noir answers that question very, very well. Writer Fred Van Lente really put some thought into the reimagination of the X-Men. That plus a solid story make this a good read.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Not Good for Taxi-Drivers
In Singapore there is a saying; when the going get tough, the tough go and drive taxis.
Conventional wisdom has it that every time Singapore goes through an economic downturn, the retrenched workers will drive taxis to tide them over the tough period. However, conventional wisdom needs a rethink as latest figures from the Land Transport Authority (LTA) seem to indicate that things might be different this time around.
Latest figures from the LTA show that the taxi business is in problem. 898,975 taxi trips were recorded in November 2008, which are about 50,000 less than in November 2007 when there were 941,709 trips. Reports also say that business for taxi-drivers dropped by about 20 per cent since October last year and that taxi-drivers do not believe that the upcoming Lunar New Year season will change anything for them either. All this even when there is a shortage of taxi-drivers in Singapore.
Now I know most Singaporeans care little for taxi-drivers in Singapore but taxi-drivers are an extremely important part of the transport system. Without taxis, we only have the MRT and buses for our transport needs, and the list of complains from pampered Singaporeans on crowded MRT trains and bus waiting times is even longer than the list of complaints about taxi-drivers.
So for all those people thinking of making taxi complains, I hope you are willing to take the bus more often because taxi driving is no longer as attractive as it used to be and if more taxi-drivers leave the business; it’ll be worse for everyone.
Conventional wisdom has it that every time Singapore goes through an economic downturn, the retrenched workers will drive taxis to tide them over the tough period. However, conventional wisdom needs a rethink as latest figures from the Land Transport Authority (LTA) seem to indicate that things might be different this time around.
Latest figures from the LTA show that the taxi business is in problem. 898,975 taxi trips were recorded in November 2008, which are about 50,000 less than in November 2007 when there were 941,709 trips. Reports also say that business for taxi-drivers dropped by about 20 per cent since October last year and that taxi-drivers do not believe that the upcoming Lunar New Year season will change anything for them either. All this even when there is a shortage of taxi-drivers in Singapore.
Now I know most Singaporeans care little for taxi-drivers in Singapore but taxi-drivers are an extremely important part of the transport system. Without taxis, we only have the MRT and buses for our transport needs, and the list of complains from pampered Singaporeans on crowded MRT trains and bus waiting times is even longer than the list of complaints about taxi-drivers.
So for all those people thinking of making taxi complains, I hope you are willing to take the bus more often because taxi driving is no longer as attractive as it used to be and if more taxi-drivers leave the business; it’ll be worse for everyone.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
What Great Friends!
Sometimes friends give you more problems than enemies. This is something Europe has discovered as gas shortages spread across Europe as the Russian and Ukrainian gas crisis escalated from a financial dispute to an international crisis.
For those of you who have no idea what the dispute is about, here’s the lowdown. Russia supply gas to Ukraine and then use the Ukrainian gas pipelines to supply gas to Europe as well.
However the global financial crisis has affected Ukraine very badly and they are unable to pay Russia for the gas supplied to them in November and December last year. Not only that, they also admit that their financial situation is now so bad that they will be unable to pay for any new gas that Russia supply also, failing to reach agreement with Moscow over debts and gas prices. Quite naturally, Russia is refusing to supply more gas unless Ukraine pays up what they own.
Seems like a simple dispute about money to me, but then when Russia reduced volumes to Ukraine on New Year's Day, gas supplies from Russia to Europe dropped suddenly. Russia accused the Ukrainians of diverting the gas bounded for Europe to their own country. Basically, they accused the Ukrainians of stealing the gas.
An accusation Ukraine isn’t exactly denying. Playing hardball, Ukraine's pro-West President Viktor Yushchenko all but dared Moscow to close gas taps to Ukraine. With Europe heavily dependant on Russian energy, 17 European countries reported sharp falls in Russian gas shipments, the European Union is now pressuring both sides to come to a compromise and demand that the flow of gas be restored.
So the EU is now asking Russia to supply gas to Ukraine that Ukraine cannot pay for, while they let the Ukrainians go without any word on Ukraine stealing gas bound for them! If this is the way the EU treat their friends, I strongly suggest that the Singapore government increase contacts with the EU.
If we are their friends, Singapore can get away with murder as well.
For those of you who have no idea what the dispute is about, here’s the lowdown. Russia supply gas to Ukraine and then use the Ukrainian gas pipelines to supply gas to Europe as well.
However the global financial crisis has affected Ukraine very badly and they are unable to pay Russia for the gas supplied to them in November and December last year. Not only that, they also admit that their financial situation is now so bad that they will be unable to pay for any new gas that Russia supply also, failing to reach agreement with Moscow over debts and gas prices. Quite naturally, Russia is refusing to supply more gas unless Ukraine pays up what they own.
Seems like a simple dispute about money to me, but then when Russia reduced volumes to Ukraine on New Year's Day, gas supplies from Russia to Europe dropped suddenly. Russia accused the Ukrainians of diverting the gas bounded for Europe to their own country. Basically, they accused the Ukrainians of stealing the gas.
An accusation Ukraine isn’t exactly denying. Playing hardball, Ukraine's pro-West President Viktor Yushchenko all but dared Moscow to close gas taps to Ukraine. With Europe heavily dependant on Russian energy, 17 European countries reported sharp falls in Russian gas shipments, the European Union is now pressuring both sides to come to a compromise and demand that the flow of gas be restored.
So the EU is now asking Russia to supply gas to Ukraine that Ukraine cannot pay for, while they let the Ukrainians go without any word on Ukraine stealing gas bound for them! If this is the way the EU treat their friends, I strongly suggest that the Singapore government increase contacts with the EU.
If we are their friends, Singapore can get away with murder as well.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Singapore TV 2008
I don’t watch too much TV nowadays. There are various reasons for this but I still enjoy a good show here and there. Here are my views on some of the shows on Singapore TV in 2008. Note that I said Singapore TV, because here in Singapore the shows are sometimes slower than in the States. Battlestar Galactica is I believe into its’ sixth season in America already, but here in Singapore we are just in the Season 2.
Best New Show This Year
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles- I came onto this show with very low expectations. I mean the Terminator series are movies; how well could the TV version be? The answer: Very well. Set after the events in 'Terminator 2', the show is on how Sarah Connor and her son John try to stay under-the-radar from the government as well as the Terminator sent by the computer network Skynet. In their corner is another Terminator sent by ‘future John’ to protect them. Together, Sarah and John hope to prevent Armageddon by destroying Skynet before it can be built, and at the same time keep John alive so that he can lead humankind to victory if Armageddon actually happen. The plot may have a “been there, done that” feel to it, but the show was saved by good writing and a very strong cast. Thomas Dekker’s John Conner may have turned into some emo-kid, but Summer Glau’s Terminator works. However both paled when compared to Lena Headey. Headey’s Sarah Connor was nothing short of brilliant. Hard, tough, yet at times a little soft, her Sarah Conner is the main reason why I think Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles is the best new show this year.
Best Returning Show This Year
Battlestar Galactica- Never a fan of remakes, I was a little worried when I saw the first season of Battlestar Galactica. It was more than a remake however; Battlestar Galactica was a re-imagining of the show, and it was a very good one. The second season is I think actually better than the first season. With the first season out of the way, there was no need for the show to show how the humans lost the war and they can concentrate on the fleet. I liked the way the creators showcase the politics of the fleet and whether the Cyclons are right, “Is the human race worth saving?” Even when we are in our dying days, humans can still screw ourselves with military coups, religious fanaticism, political manoeuvrings and various plays for power. Even when another Battlestar show up, it leads to more problems than solutions as one of the first thing the new admiral was to take overall military command away from the previous commander. So sad but so true because…it’s just so human.
Worst New Show This Year
Calafare- Private Practice was a hot favourite for this title, but then I remember that I was unfortunate enough to catch 1 episode of this Gurmit Singh vehicle. It’s not funny, it’s not witty and the acting was wooden as hell. The less said about the show, the better for everyone. Avoid it at all cost!
Worst Returning Show This Year
Heroes- I’ll say something upfront, “I was never a great fan of the series.” I liked but never loved the show. The first season was okay; I felt there was a drop in quality in the second season but it was still passable; this third season however is a total mess. Creator Tim Kring seems obsessed with time travel. Nothing wrong with that but enough is enough. There are now no less than 2 time-travellers and about 5 people who can see/dream/draw the future. And what’s up with Ali Larter’s character. Niki Sanders turn from a single child to a twin and now to triplets, what’s next? If you do have any story for the character, write her out of the show or kill her already! In fact, the same can be said of the whole cast. Kill off some of the cast already, there has to be more than fifteen recurring characters on the show. That’s too many, and the writers can start with killing Claire. Tim Kring needs to decide if she is a damsel in distress or a superhero. This teenage angst thing just isn’t working. “Kill the Cheerleader, Save the Show”
Best New Show This Year
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles- I came onto this show with very low expectations. I mean the Terminator series are movies; how well could the TV version be? The answer: Very well. Set after the events in 'Terminator 2', the show is on how Sarah Connor and her son John try to stay under-the-radar from the government as well as the Terminator sent by the computer network Skynet. In their corner is another Terminator sent by ‘future John’ to protect them. Together, Sarah and John hope to prevent Armageddon by destroying Skynet before it can be built, and at the same time keep John alive so that he can lead humankind to victory if Armageddon actually happen. The plot may have a “been there, done that” feel to it, but the show was saved by good writing and a very strong cast. Thomas Dekker’s John Conner may have turned into some emo-kid, but Summer Glau’s Terminator works. However both paled when compared to Lena Headey. Headey’s Sarah Connor was nothing short of brilliant. Hard, tough, yet at times a little soft, her Sarah Conner is the main reason why I think Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles is the best new show this year.
Best Returning Show This Year
Battlestar Galactica- Never a fan of remakes, I was a little worried when I saw the first season of Battlestar Galactica. It was more than a remake however; Battlestar Galactica was a re-imagining of the show, and it was a very good one. The second season is I think actually better than the first season. With the first season out of the way, there was no need for the show to show how the humans lost the war and they can concentrate on the fleet. I liked the way the creators showcase the politics of the fleet and whether the Cyclons are right, “Is the human race worth saving?” Even when we are in our dying days, humans can still screw ourselves with military coups, religious fanaticism, political manoeuvrings and various plays for power. Even when another Battlestar show up, it leads to more problems than solutions as one of the first thing the new admiral was to take overall military command away from the previous commander. So sad but so true because…it’s just so human.
Worst New Show This Year
Calafare- Private Practice was a hot favourite for this title, but then I remember that I was unfortunate enough to catch 1 episode of this Gurmit Singh vehicle. It’s not funny, it’s not witty and the acting was wooden as hell. The less said about the show, the better for everyone. Avoid it at all cost!
Worst Returning Show This Year
Heroes- I’ll say something upfront, “I was never a great fan of the series.” I liked but never loved the show. The first season was okay; I felt there was a drop in quality in the second season but it was still passable; this third season however is a total mess. Creator Tim Kring seems obsessed with time travel. Nothing wrong with that but enough is enough. There are now no less than 2 time-travellers and about 5 people who can see/dream/draw the future. And what’s up with Ali Larter’s character. Niki Sanders turn from a single child to a twin and now to triplets, what’s next? If you do have any story for the character, write her out of the show or kill her already! In fact, the same can be said of the whole cast. Kill off some of the cast already, there has to be more than fifteen recurring characters on the show. That’s too many, and the writers can start with killing Claire. Tim Kring needs to decide if she is a damsel in distress or a superhero. This teenage angst thing just isn’t working. “Kill the Cheerleader, Save the Show”
Monday, January 5, 2009
An Attack for An Election
You cannot on the news this few days seeing the images of dead people in Gaza. Nothing unusual about this, but the strange thing I find is that everyone is playing down the fact that there is an Israeli election coming up.
As the Israeli public head for the polls on Feb. 10, a war between Israel and Hamas has now occurred in Gaza. Now for all the talk from the Israelis about why the war is happening now (rocket attacks), there’s not too much doubt in my mind that politicians has an eye on the Feb. 10 parliamentary vote before launching the attack. Before the offensive began, conservative opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu and his Likud party were leading in the polls, but after the attack, the center-left Labor Party and the ruling Kadima Party are gaining ground. So the Israelis are attempting a short, glorious war one month before their election, a few weeks before a new American President come into the White House.
Coincidence? I don’t think so.
As the Israeli public head for the polls on Feb. 10, a war between Israel and Hamas has now occurred in Gaza. Now for all the talk from the Israelis about why the war is happening now (rocket attacks), there’s not too much doubt in my mind that politicians has an eye on the Feb. 10 parliamentary vote before launching the attack. Before the offensive began, conservative opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu and his Likud party were leading in the polls, but after the attack, the center-left Labor Party and the ruling Kadima Party are gaining ground. So the Israelis are attempting a short, glorious war one month before their election, a few weeks before a new American President come into the White House.
Coincidence? I don’t think so.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Comics this week
Avengers: The Initiative #20- Guess I was wrong, there is still one more final Secret Invasion tie-in. The final Avengers: The Initiative tie-in issue (hopefully) deal with the aftermath of the Skrull invasion. With the Fifty State Initiative in tatters, most of the members still alive at Camp Hammond so that means we get to see heroes we don’t usually see in the series. I don’t think we need more members on the team but this issue seems to be striking for the upcoming revamp. 3D-Man left for the Skrull Kill Krew; Ant-man leave for the Thunderbolts; Iron Man, War Machine are gone; so that leave Gauntlet in charge. A drill-sergeant turn commander of a base of superheroes, oh I can just see the fun we will be getting into.
Guardians of the Galaxy #8- The issue starts with showing how Star-Lord ended up in the Negative Zone. Ronan the Accuser seems to be bad being a villain again while someone in the Negative Zone finally thought of destroying the 42 prison. What took those guys so long? Comedy is also back as Rocket Raccoon and the main team got in the laughs explaining to the Bug what happened. I AM GROOT!
Guardians of the Galaxy #8- The issue starts with showing how Star-Lord ended up in the Negative Zone. Ronan the Accuser seems to be bad being a villain again while someone in the Negative Zone finally thought of destroying the 42 prison. What took those guys so long? Comedy is also back as Rocket Raccoon and the main team got in the laughs explaining to the Bug what happened. I AM GROOT!
Friday, January 2, 2009
EPL this month
2008 has come and gone, but the chase for the EPL continues. Here is the hottest (and coldest) team in the month of December.
Top Teams this Month
Liverpool- No Torres, no problem. When Fernando Torres was injured earlier in the season, Dirk Kuyt stepped up to fill the scoring boots. Now Torres is injured again, and another player stepped up for Benitez. Robbie Keane finally looks like a player again after a very poor start in his Liverpool career and has double his goal tally this month. Manager Rafael Benitez has been very lucky this season.
Aston Villa- When you go 2-0 down to Arsenal, usually you will lose the game. Even when you are at home, few teams in the league would come back to get a point out of it. Aston Villa did. Even if John Carew out injured, manager Martin O'Neill still has the speed of Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young in attack. There’s still a question of whether Villa can maintain their form till the end of the season, but so far things are looking good. Arsenal better improve or there will be a new Top 4 this season.
Surprise Team this month
Fulham- Roy Hodgson has proven that he is the best English manager in the EPL. Hodgson has turned a team that was certain to be relegated into a respected mid-table team. Not only do they beat teams around them in the league, Fulham is also giving problems to the Big 4 (a 2-2 draw with Chelsea?). If not for the great start of Hull City, Hodgson would be my choice for manger of the year.
Disappointing Teams this month
Arsenal- When it rains, it pours. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger’s injury list got longer this month as recently installed captain Cesc Fabregas is now out for 4 months. With William Gallas looking to leave the team also, Arsene need to open his chequebook and buy in January. The Gunners need a holding midfielder who is experience and could help the team immediately. Forget youth, they need steel. I suggest Marcos Senna from Spain.
Man City- Mark Hughes is a manger under pressure, and rightfully so. I feel he is a good manger but with the money and players at his disposal, you have to wonder what the hell Man City is doing in the bottom 3. This is a team with Robinho, Elano, Micah Richards, Shuan-Wright Phillips and Martin Petrov. All of whom are match-winners and proven internationals. Man City should be challenging for Europe, not going into the Championship.
Portsmouth- Since Tony Adams took over as manager, Portsmouth has been on a downward slide. They are leaking goals at the back, they can’t score upfront, and the chairman is looking to sell the club due to the financial credit crunch. They still have good players in the team, but Adams need to turn it around in a hurry.
Top Teams this Month
Liverpool- No Torres, no problem. When Fernando Torres was injured earlier in the season, Dirk Kuyt stepped up to fill the scoring boots. Now Torres is injured again, and another player stepped up for Benitez. Robbie Keane finally looks like a player again after a very poor start in his Liverpool career and has double his goal tally this month. Manager Rafael Benitez has been very lucky this season.
Aston Villa- When you go 2-0 down to Arsenal, usually you will lose the game. Even when you are at home, few teams in the league would come back to get a point out of it. Aston Villa did. Even if John Carew out injured, manager Martin O'Neill still has the speed of Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young in attack. There’s still a question of whether Villa can maintain their form till the end of the season, but so far things are looking good. Arsenal better improve or there will be a new Top 4 this season.
Surprise Team this month
Fulham- Roy Hodgson has proven that he is the best English manager in the EPL. Hodgson has turned a team that was certain to be relegated into a respected mid-table team. Not only do they beat teams around them in the league, Fulham is also giving problems to the Big 4 (a 2-2 draw with Chelsea?). If not for the great start of Hull City, Hodgson would be my choice for manger of the year.
Disappointing Teams this month
Arsenal- When it rains, it pours. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger’s injury list got longer this month as recently installed captain Cesc Fabregas is now out for 4 months. With William Gallas looking to leave the team also, Arsene need to open his chequebook and buy in January. The Gunners need a holding midfielder who is experience and could help the team immediately. Forget youth, they need steel. I suggest Marcos Senna from Spain.
Man City- Mark Hughes is a manger under pressure, and rightfully so. I feel he is a good manger but with the money and players at his disposal, you have to wonder what the hell Man City is doing in the bottom 3. This is a team with Robinho, Elano, Micah Richards, Shuan-Wright Phillips and Martin Petrov. All of whom are match-winners and proven internationals. Man City should be challenging for Europe, not going into the Championship.
Portsmouth- Since Tony Adams took over as manager, Portsmouth has been on a downward slide. They are leaking goals at the back, they can’t score upfront, and the chairman is looking to sell the club due to the financial credit crunch. They still have good players in the team, but Adams need to turn it around in a hurry.
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