Falling Stars

So, yeah, Supanova is the one convention I attend every year, because I am totally a pop culture geek, and it doesn't even matter who the guests are, though I've gotten to hear and meet some pretty awesome people in the past.

Anyways, Hayden Panettiere was the major guest headlining the list this year, till she had to pull out because of overtime filming. It didn't faze me that much, because my big burning love of Heroes has faded to the warm embers of yesteryear, and I was far more interested in seeing Nichelle Nichols, who is an icon and a pioneer and seems like she would have a wealth of fascinating stories to share.

So I'm browsing online and come across the announcement of the guest who is replacing Hayden.

JARED PADALECKI.

I burst out laughing in front of the computer. Seriously.

I found my own reaction a little surprising, actually. On reflection, I think I reacted like that because Heroes and Supernatural were the two shows I was completely obsessed with all of last year, and yet the most recent seasons have sapped most of my interest in them. So it's kind of like, man, ironic timing.

Don't get me wrong, I'm still interested in checking out his talk, except he's only doing a Q&A session on the Sunday, which isn't the day I'd planned on going. So would it be lame to switch days, considering the place will probably be packed out with Supernatural fans, and I might not get a spot in the auditorium? But if I don't even try, isn't that even lamer, considering the likelihood of him setting foot on this continent again?

Actually, the lamest thing is probably me worrying about something like this and then posting it for everyone on the net to see. Oh well.

Are we there yet? The second last episode of the season.

( Spoilers )

Life is like a box of chocolates, according to Forrest Gump, but I reckon the same could be said of this season of Heroes. You never know what you're going to get.

This episode was made by the hard toffee people, not the peppermint cream people.

( Spoilers )

Two episodes to go. Which I will probably be getting from other sources. So much for fast-tracking of episodes. Does Channel Seven really expect people to be tuning in again after the new year?

I'm sure there is some kind of witty remark I could make about the title, but I will restrain myself.

( Spoilers )

So I wander into Kings Comics to pick up my standing order, when I see on the shelves before me a thing of utter beauty:



Oh yes, it's Heroes Volume 1, the graphic novel collecting together the online comics. I hadn't even realised it was out yet. I spent twenty seconds staring at the gorgeous Alex Ross cover before I weakened and bought it.

It's a lovely volume. It contains the first 34 instalments of the online comics, an introduction by Masi Oka, and an interview with Jeff Loeb, Aron Eli Coleite, and Joe Pokaski about the creation of the comics. In addition, the Tim Sale paintings from the show are used as frontispieces for the stories, which is a nice touch.

It may surprise you to learn that I hadn't actually read the online comics before this. One of the reasons was that I figured they'd eventually release them in print. I love the net and all, but there's nothing quite like the feel of paper and the smell of ink. So reading this volume was like a voyage of discovery.

The short format - most of the stories are around five pages long - works well. There are glimpses into lives, moments of insight, and revelations about history. The Hiro and Nathan stories were two of my favourites, and it was fascinating to see backstory for characters like Eden and Linderman. I would have preferred the Hana Gitelman arc to be shorter, and for us to see more of the regular characters or the other guest characters, but that's a minor quibble. The graphic novel was a pleasure to read, and it reminded me how cool Season One was.

( More shiny pics this way! )

I'm an episode behind with these, but woo! The show I love is back. (Sort of.)

( Spoilers )

Brief notes on the episode.

( Spoilers )

"You know, death is the one thing that connects us all. Reminds us that what's really important is who we've touched, how much we've given. Makes us realise that we have to be good to one another."

- Peter Petrelli, Heroes 1x23 'How to Stop an Exploding Man'

There are a thousand reasons I fell in love with Season One of Heroes. But at its heart:

Because it's about ordinary people - those with *and* without extraordinary abilities - who are heroes. People with doubts and fears and weaknesses, who nonetheless find the courage to step up and the compassion to reach out, and risk themselves to help others.

Because it's full of hope and optimism. Because it celebrates the best of the human spirit, at a time when many other shows have a bleak and nihilistic attitude. Because in the end, it is love that saves the day.

Finding yourself staring at a link to a Heroes fic titled "Pretty Guardian Sailor Peter!" and wondering if it's something you want to click on.

(Still in Japan. Back to your regularly scheduled updates soon.)