Justin Partridge > Recent Status Updates

II: THE WAY STATION

“I’LL SHOW YOU A WONDER!”

I know people prefer the original serialized version of this (a version I have never read but am endlessly fascinated by nonetheless) but I can’t imagine it being better than this version.

It’s so clean, lore-wise, and has this driving pulse forward even when it’s talking about shit you have no idea or reference for. It’s kinda masterful how it threads so many things and other books into one narrative.

19 - RESUMPTION -

“…O lost, and by the wind grieved, ghost, come back again.” -Thomas Wolfe. Look Homeward, Angel.

It BEGINS AGAIN.

I am gonna try and bring this one home as soonish as I can. It’s far too charming and cleverly written to be putting off any longer. Like I want to adapt it now just to do it, it’s THAT fun. I feel like this might be one I revisit a bunch.

ALSO just found out TO-DAY that one of Westlake’s pen names was RICHARD STARK! The creator of Parker! I had no idea.

“If we are going to die, it’s going to be talking about something REALLY stupid.”

Jack and Richard Go To War.

I am really appreciating how much tonal similarity there is between this and The Eyes of the Dragon. I’m really glad I read that first before this one.

I have to give this back this week and I don’t want to now. It’s too damn fascinating and sad now.

It’s truly so baller that Grant was like, “I can’t use Constantine? Fuck it, ILL MAKE MY OWN” the power of that.

The JLA ISSUE!

This thing is stressing me the fuck out.

The Sunlight Home.

I have a distinctly horrible fuckin’ feeling this isn’t going to work out keen for ol’ Travelin’ Jack and our goodest boy Wolf.

“I’m afraid I have no idea what you’re saying. I don’t speak fascist.”

PART TWO: CRASH AND BURN.

We got Space Vampyrs now y’all!

The thing about Manhattan leaving a copy of the picture of him and Janey every time he fucked with the DC continuity is pretty cool tbh. Especially the one he leaves at the scene of The Flash of Two Worlds. John’s just can’t stop fucking with Barry huh?

“Have you ever heard of Wally West?”

Okay? RUDE.

“Who the hell are the Justice Society of America?”

WHO INDEED MR JOHNS?! WHO INDEED?! Ask your buddies Dan D and Eddie Bergzanamama. They will tell you. HA HA I hate myself.

“And remember, kids! Don’t walk through any plate glass windows!”

I think I’m getting a better grip on this one now! The idea of putting this “wholly heroic Doctor” and his youngish companions with a bunch of roughnecks in terrifying (and DEADLY!) conditions. It’s even a little sweary too, that’s always fun/hilarious to see in the PDAs. I’m hoping I can bring one of these home this weekend.

I still admire Grant’s sheer audacity throughout this opening arc. Both in their total deconstruction of what the title was at the time but also in their new creations and takes on Caulder and Cliff and Larry. It’s just still so fucking inspiring to read.

“You should really read more, Joshua.”

I forgot how straight up boring these first three issues are. There are some neat ideas and set dressing for the “Superman Problem” (by far the best idea Johns has here) but it’s just bolted to a terminally boring execution.

marked the wrong page# earlier but this thing continues to be ultra weird (and gratingly regressive, skewing toward outright homophobic in swatches?) but oddly compelling.

The addition of Wolf is a good one, despite his Tom Cullen-like dialogue. Jack needed a foil and heavy and he is functioning as both right now and I’m back into it. I dunno I’m very curious how I’m gonna react to this thing’s back half.

God help me why am I doing this to myself