The Two Takes

Photo by Raj Eiamworakul on Unsplash Her Take: But before we dive in, we detour. When we started The 2 Takes (our blog) I always knew we’d cover this topic, after all, my writing partner is a comic book guy, and I really knew who I’d choose as my favorite superhero. Always. Just to honor the process, I started compiling my list: Hellboy, Rocket Racoon, Deadpool, Rorschach… oh yeah, Mommy’s got a type, y’all.. And, ok, you could chalk that up to my almost preternatural attraction to damaged men. That wouldn’t be unfair, but I’m going to give myself more credit than that. These aren’t just bad boys (er.. and demons and a bioengineered pet who also happens to be a master tactician and weapons expert) they have rich and conflicted lives that lead (at least part of the the time) to doing the right thing in a spectacularly violent way. That’s great storytelling. That brings us to the character who, for my money, is king of the damaged and conflicted: Wolverine. Wolverine ...

Photo by Marcin Lukasik on Unsplash His (Special) Take: Back in 1939, a comic book hit newsstands, and magazine racks everywhere that would change the world, DC Comics was flying high (no pun intended) on the success of Superman, who was introduced to the world 2 years earlier. They hired cartoonists Bob Kane and Bill Finger to create a superhero in the hopes of doubling down on the popularity of Superman. Kane borrowed from a lot of places when thinking up Batman. Films, novels, even a Leonardo DaVinci drawing. Finger then put the finishing touches on the look of the character, making him the Caped Crusader that we all know and love.  Batman was pretty much an instant hit, although Superman had movie serials and cartoons in less time than Batman, Batman wasn’t trailing too close behind. But Batman plugged along, enjoying pretty good sales, but he was yet to really explode into the phenom that we know and love today. In the comics he evolved from a crimefighter that batt...

Her Take:   Know this: If I’m on vacation in your town and there’s a sign that points me to the ‘Historic Downtown’, I am going there. Maybe there’s a shop that sells vintage-style postcards, or one with used books, or (GASP!) handmade soaps!!   Give me that, I’ll take ALL OF THAT.   You might as well throw in a coffee shop with a bakery or a cool brewpub with tin panel ceilings because I’ll hit those too. Both if there’s enough to see between coffee and lunch.   And, listen, don’t worry. I’ll buy things I don’t need from your shops, that’s a given.     $50 on gourmet malted milk balls? That seems totally reasonable in your cute little candy shop.   There is no shame in my tourist game, friend. I can FLAT OUT vacation.   I travel mostly with my long suffering husband whose main job is to be available to answer the question “OH MY GOD HOW CUTE IS THAT???”. (Let’s be clear, he doesn’t know how cute it is, he just agre...