Geoff Johns and John Katz will leave one of the best superhero comics in decades, Booster Gold, after only twelve phenomenal issues to write stuff like 'event comics' that will one day be remembered as fondly as Invasion, Bloodlines and Armageddon 2001. Sigh.
If you haven't read Booster Gold and you are fond of the DC Universe, I can't recommend Johns and Katz's 12-issue run highly enough.
The "Blue and Gold" storyline involves Booster's temporal effort to save Ted Kord. It's a great story that enriches the stories that have come before (and much needed in the case of Blue Beetle's murder)..and maybe sets the stage for something more.
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The "Blue and Gold" storyline involves Booster's temporal effort to save Ted Kord. It's a great story that enriches the stories that have come before (and much needed in the case of Blue Beetle's murder)..and maybe sets the stage for something more.
The wrap-up to the "Blue and Gold" storyline made me misty. It has been a very good series. It probably will be dropped before too long and I will be very sad.
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1) The stuff with the New Gods is b/c Jack Kirby's widow (or is it daughter?) is suing DC for the rights to them.
2) They changed Max Lord to give an emotional punch to their Infinite Crisis. Plus they haven't done anything with him beyond Formerly Known as the JLA. But I will agree that it made no sense to me when it happened.
3) Infinity Crisis didn't suck, read it before you read Final Crisis, then things will fall into place.
4) All I have to say about the Manhunter's death, is that Superman was praying for a resurrection and that even Jason Todd and Barry Allen (the 2nd Flash for you youngsters) aren't dead anymore. Death is no longer permanent in either comic company.
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2) They changed Max Lord to give an emotional punch to their Infinite Crisis. Plus they haven't done anything with him beyond Formerly Known as the JLA. But I will agree that it made no sense to me when it happened.
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4) All I have to say about the Manhunter's death, is that Superman was praying for a resurrection and that even Jason Todd and Barry Allen (the 2nd Flash for you youngsters) aren't dead anymore. Death is no longer permanent in either comic company.
2) SUPERBUDDIES!!
4) I was pissed as hell when I read issue #2 of Final Crisis because it was just so abrupt and without fanfare or point, issue #3 helped make it a bit better, but not lot.
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2) They changed Max Lord to give an emotional punch to their Infinite Crisis. Plus they haven't done anything with him beyond Formerly Known as the JLA. But I will agree that it made no sense to me when it happened.
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4) All I have to say about the Manhunter's death, is that Superman was praying for a resurrection and that even Jason Todd and Barry Allen (the 2nd Flash for you youngsters) aren't dead anymore. Death is no longer permanent in either comic company.2) SUPERBUDDIES!!
4) I was pissed as hell when I read issue #2 of Final Crisis because it was just so abrupt and without fanfare or point, issue #3 helped make it a bit better, but not lot.
I will admit...I haven't read issue 3 yet (damn budget) but am looking forward to it!
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4) All I have to say about the Manhunter's death, is that Superman was praying for a resurrection and that even Jason Todd and Barry Allen (the 2nd Flash for you youngsters) aren't dead anymore. Death is no longer permanent in either comic company.
Yeah, death is a joke these days in comics. It's lost all shock value and I wonder why they even bother anymore.
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I noticed something once long ago, well a couple of things actually, first off a series gets a new writer and artist that will make a book for a year and it s the greatest thing since sliced cheese, then they leave for another project and someone else comes along at the height of the book and just makes it suck, taking it to a total new direction that anyone who did happen to like the book, well now hates, these new writers are around for maybe a few years then someone with some sense takes over and the book is popular once again but they have to write weird convoluted stories to make some sense out of it all. Which leads me to my second thing that I noticed, I don't think, and I could be off base not being anything remotely close to an expert here, but I don't think that any company has anything like a writers Bible that they use for the stories. If they did some of these characters might grow old or some of the villains might actually die off. Just a thought anyway.
1) The stuff with the New Gods is b/c Jack Kirby's widow (or is it daughter?) is suing DC for the rights to them.
2) They changed Max Lord to give an emotional punch to their Infinite Crisis. Plus they haven't done anything with him beyond Formerly Known as the JLA. But I will agree that it made no sense to me when it happened.
3) Infinity Crisis didn't suck, read it before you read Final Crisis, then things will fall into place.
4) All I have to say about the Manhunter's death, is that Superman was praying for a resurrection and that even Jason Todd and Barry Allen (the 2nd Flash for you youngsters) aren't dead anymore. Death is no longer permanent in either comic company.
1) Wow. Did not know that. It's always sad when legal stuff gets into comics, but hey, that's the business world for you...
2) Actually, I loved the Max switch. It made little sense, but come on- Max makes a hell of a lot more sense as a villain than as a hero. And while I didn't care for many of the things that came out of Infinite Crisis, and as pissed off as I was about Ted's death, I have to admit it was some of the best writing I had seen from them in a WHILE. That is how a HERO dies...and dies again, in Booster Gold.
3) Not reading Final Crisis, but for all intents and purposes, see 2.
4) Manhunter's dead? Didn't know that. I'd say I'm sorry they killed him off, but hey, this is DC- resurrections are always right around the corner, moreso than with Marvel.
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Final Crisis Requiem is much better for J'Onn fans.
For one thing, it stretches out the one panel punk death scene into something worthy of the character, and handles the effects of the death very well.
The history lesson concentrates a bit too much on Ostrander's series rather than the whole of his history, but I can forgive a lot as the quality of the story is good and respectful.
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....this is DC- resurrections are always right around the corner, moreso than with Marvel.Except I hope I don't have to wait 20+ years for a resurrection - like they are apparently doing with Barry Allen. Or the 15+ years from Jason Todd's death until his resurrection.
Psh, at most it's 3-4 years these days...
DC has made a mess of Legion. Sure hope they straighten it out some year. Hopefully while I'm still around.
DC has made a mess of Legion. Sure hope they straighten it out some year. Hopefully while I'm still around.BUT, the JLA/Legion crossover (in JLA) did give us what I consider to be one of the greatest issue titles of all time..."The Villain is the Hero of His Own Story."
I have it, but I haven't read it yet. Good stuff huh? Do you reccommend I read it tonight? What Legion are they suppose to be from?
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I have it, but I haven't read it yet. Good stuff huh? Do you reccommend I read it tonight? What Legion are they suppose to be from?DC has made a mess of Legion. Sure hope they straighten it out some year. Hopefully while I'm still around.BUT, the JLA/Legion crossover (in JLA) did give us what I consider to be one of the greatest issue titles of all time..."The Villain is the Hero of His Own Story."
Ummmm... a Legion from sometime in the future? I have been a big DC fan for years, but Legion is one of the properties I know next to nothing about. For some reason, it really just doesn't jazz me. I could name 6 or 7 members, but I'm not hip to any plot developements or characters.
It was a set-up to the whole "Countdown to Final Crisis" pre-saging the appearance of Barry Allen. Karate Kid was a main player in it, but there was Timberwolf, Starman, Dreamy, and some others. Sorry, just not too up on Legion. As I recall, the crossover story was interesting and worth reading.
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I have it, but I haven't read it yet. Good stuff huh? Do you reccommend I read it tonight? What Legion are they suppose to be from?DC has made a mess of Legion. Sure hope they straighten it out some year. Hopefully while I'm still around.BUT, the JLA/Legion crossover (in JLA) did give us what I consider to be one of the greatest issue titles of all time..."The Villain is the Hero of His Own Story."Ummmm... a Legion from sometime in the future? I have been a big DC fan for years, but Legion is one of the properties I know next to nothing about. For some reason, it really just doesn't jazz me. I could name 6 or 7 members, but I'm not hip to any plot developements or characters.
It was a set-up to the whole "Countdown to Final Crisis" pre-saging the appearance of Barry Allen. Karate Kid was a main player in it, but there was Timberwolf, Starman, Dreamy, and some others. Sorry, just not too up on Legion. As I recall, the crossover story was interesting and worth reading.
Is that the storyline was referred to as "The Lightening Saga"?
Actually there are three Legions at the moment.
The Original Legion of Superheroes that returned in the Lightning Saga and recent Action comics.
The "reboot" Legionaires
and the "threeboot" current Legion of Superheroes book.
And all three will be in the Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds
I have a bad feeling we will have a "fourboot" by the time this is over.
Actually there are three Legions at the moment.
The Original Legion of Superheroes that returned in the Lightning Saga and recent Action comics.
The "reboot" Legionaires
and the "threeboot" current Legion of Superheroes book.
And all three will be in the Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds
I have a bad feeling we will have a "fourboot" by the time this is over.
While I admit i hated the "stuff it grandpa" version of the legion at first, I think Shooter took that and put it on the right course. I like the idea of the Legion being semi-illegal and pushed around by the man and yet doing the right thing anyway. I LOVE the fact that many members just plain don't get along, and that those that do don't care for each other's tactics all the time. It makes the "traditional" romances all the sweeter.
While I admit i hated the "stuff it grandpa" version of the legion at first, I think Shooter took that and put it on the right course. I like the idea of the Legion being semi-illegal and pushed around by the man and yet doing the right thing anyway. I LOVE the fact that many members just plain don't get along, and that those that do don't care for each other's tactics all the time. It makes the "traditional" romances all the sweeter.Actually there are three Legions at the moment.
The Original Legion of Superheroes that returned in the Lightning Saga and recent Action comics.
The "reboot" Legionaires
and the "threeboot" current Legion of Superheroes book.
And all three will be in the Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds
I have a bad feeling we will have a "fourboot" by the time this is over.
I'm liking it, I just wish things moved along faster. Complaints: Futuristic swearing (though that is getting toned down it appears) and to much bed hopping. The Legion were suppose to be underage and I would like to think that they overall, have higher morals then the average teen, but then that's just me and the way I want to see them portrayed.
As for Legion of Three Worlds....I so hope they don't touch Phantom Girl. I know they will simply because I don't want them to. What I want and what I get are often two different things. I'm not hoping so much that they will start a new comic (unless were talking about adding another comic), but I guess I would really prefer to see them drop down to one Legion of Super-Heroes.
It would make my game much easier to deal with in the long run (maybe).
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Owner - Johnny Scott Comics and Games
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While I admit i hated the "stuff it grandpa" version of the legion at first, I think Shooter took that and put it on the right course. I like the idea of the Legion being semi-illegal and pushed around by the man and yet doing the right thing anyway. I LOVE the fact that many members just plain don't get along, and that those that do don't care for each other's tactics all the time. It makes the "traditional" romances all the sweeter.Actually there are three Legions at the moment.
The Original Legion of Superheroes that returned in the Lightning Saga and recent Action comics.
The "reboot" Legionaires
and the "threeboot" current Legion of Superheroes book.
And all three will be in the Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds
I have a bad feeling we will have a "fourboot" by the time this is over.
I'm liking it, I just wish things moved along faster. Complaints: Futuristic swearing (though that is getting toned down it appears) and to much bed hopping. The Legion were suppose to be underage and I would like to think that they overall, have higher morals then the average teen, but then that's just me and the way I want to see them portrayed.
As for Legion of Three Worlds....I so hope they don't touch Phantom Girl. I know they will simply because I don't want them to. What I want and what I get are often two different things. I'm not hoping so much that they will start a new comic (unless were talking about adding another comic), but I guess I would really prefer to see them drop down to one Legion of Super-Heroes.
It would make my game much easier to deal with in the long run (maybe).
Eileen, have faith!
I firmly believe that Jim Shooter will turn the Legion around and make it the fun book it has been in the past.
I have a strong hunch that Final Crisis will end up consolidating the Legion into one cohesive team, ending all of the recent confusion regarding the different incarnations of the LSH. It may lead to another re-launch of the title, but it should straighten out continuity and make your LSH RPG a lot easier to put together.
While I admit i hated the "stuff it grandpa" version of the legion at first, I think Shooter took that and put it on the right course. I like the idea of the Legion being semi-illegal and pushed around by the man and yet doing the right thing anyway. I LOVE the fact that many members just plain don't get along, and that those that do don't care for each other's tactics all the time. It makes the "traditional" romances all the sweeter.I'm liking it, I just wish things moved along faster. Complaints: Futuristic swearing (though that is getting toned down it appears) and to much bed hopping. The Legion were suppose to be underage and I would like to think that they overall, have higher morals then the average teen, but then that's just me and the way I want to see them portrayed.
As for Legion of Three Worlds....I so hope they don't touch Phantom Girl. I know they will simply because I don't want them to. What I want and what I get are often two different things. I'm not hoping so much that they will start a new comic (unless were talking about adding another comic), but I guess I would really prefer to see them drop down to one Legion of Super-Heroes.
It would make my game much easier to deal with in the long run (maybe).
TOO much bed hopping? I for one am glad that these legionnaires aren't barbie and ken in that that they exist below the waist. Morals shmorals, but again, that's my opinion. Can't wait for the next issue.
I had 30+ years invested in the legion. When they rebooted them, I had to quit. It was like talking to someone you used to know who had undergone botched brain surgery. They looked the same, but they were not the same people. I enjoyed the adult legion stories from easier this year. it was like revisiting old friends. Now, to see if the adult Legion's Element Lad, is still gay, or at least Bi.
I'vd pretty much concluded that DC is a lost cause, so I will read only very specific things and ignore the DCU as a whole. Sad.
The jury is still out with Marvel, but the red Hulk nonsense makes things look not so good for them.
I'vd pretty much concluded that DC is a lost cause, so I will read only very specific things and ignore the DCU as a whole. Sad.
The jury is still out with Marvel, but the red Hulk nonsense makes things look not so good for them.
The Red Hulk is silly, especially considering the storyline's timing with the movie out.
As for DC, I think they are coming back. The Legion of Three Worlds had a great start and Batman R.I.P. is proving to be a a compelling, strange and thrilling journey.
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I have to say, the main Final Crisis story isn't really jazzing me that strongly... I've said it before, but Grant Morrison needs to be kept off of the DC mainline. He's better at Vertigo flavored stuff. but there are some other things that DC is putting out that I am loving.
JSA, just one of the best damn book in comic-dom. I always read through the issues at least 2 or 3 times. Great characters, great stories, great sense of history and sense of promise.
Final Crisis: Rogues, Revenge. Again, a comic with a supremely strong sense of place. DC is best when it pays attention to where its characters have been and why they are where they are. The Rogues exemplify this. I'm not a huge Flash fan, but any time you have the Rogues as the central theme, I'm aboard!
Final Crisis: Revalations. It started a little slow but I'm liking the direction. I enjoyed the Anti-Life Equasion. I like Renee as the Question (even though I do mis Vic), and as the 'leader' of the Crime Bible Cultists. It has a lot of potential.
DC Universe Decisions: Looks interesting, good premise. First issue was a little choppy, but, then again, I don't think limited series should be under 8 issues most of the time. Guy Gardner is apparently a big fig in the next issue, so that should be a fun way to rub Ollie the wrong way.
Batman Confidential. Kevin Maguire might just be God.
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For those of you reading Final Crisis and feel confused or aggravated let me say two words to ease that pain, Grant Morrison. Nothing he writes makes the least bit of sense until the last issue. I think it will all pan out nicely but the ride getting there will be confusing.
Tell me about it. I've been suffering through his run on Batman. Hopefully everything will make a little more sense once the story is done.
Unfortunately,...
For those of you reading Final Crisis and feel confused or aggravated let me say two words to ease that pain, Grant Morrison. Nothing he writes makes the least bit of sense until the last issue. I think it will all pan out nicely but the ride getting there will be confusing.Tell me about it. I've been suffering through his run on Batman. Hopefully everything will make a little more sense once the story is done.
Unfortunately,...
** spoiler omitted **
What?????????????? I just read your spoiler. I haven't read Batman for years but that doesn't mean the Dark Knight doesn't have a place dear to me. Tell me what is going on here (in regards to your spoiler), I must know the facts! Please Aberzombie.....Please....tell me....
(Throws herself at his feet, grabs his leg and looks up at him with tears in her eyes)
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RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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Even though I have been a stalwart DC defender here and at other sites (DC-Venger?), even I have my limits.
DON'T READ THE SPOILER UNLESS YOU ARE NOT READING FINAL CRISIS OR CARE ABOUT THE DCU.
** spoiler omitted **
Prime. must have thought Marvel's killing Steve was a great idea.
Even though I have been a stalwart DC defender here and at other sites (DC-Venger?), even I have my limits.
DON'T READ THE SPOILER UNLESS YOU ARE NOT READING FINAL CRISIS OR CARE ABOUT THE DCU.
** spoiler omitted **
It is possible -and I hope planned- that this is what DC is doing here.
** spoiler omitted **Even though I have been a stalwart DC defender here and at other sites (DC-Venger?), even I have my limits.
DON'T READ THE SPOILER UNLESS YOU ARE NOT READING FINAL CRISIS OR CARE ABOUT THE DCU.
** spoiler omitted **
Whole thing just feels like DC's engaging in childish oneupsmanship with Marvel. "You killed Steve Rogers? Well, we'll kill Bruce Wayne!" Didio and I need to have a few words . . . .
** spoiler omitted **** spoiler omitted **Even though I have been a stalwart DC defender here and at other sites (DC-Venger?), even I have my limits.
DON'T READ THE SPOILER UNLESS YOU ARE NOT READING FINAL CRISIS OR CARE ABOUT THE DCU.
** spoiler omitted **
Well, there is a point there. However, keep in mind that . . .
The other thing is, while many people have an attachment to their favorite superheroes, if they are not actually buying comics (or comic based graphic novels) then those opinions don't really mean much. It is hard to eat sentiment.
Finally, "There is no such thing as bad publicity" is a saying that is true more often then not.
** spoiler omitted **** spoiler omitted **Even though I have been a stalwart DC defender here and at other sites (DC-Venger?), even I have my limits.
DON'T READ THE SPOILER UNLESS YOU ARE NOT READING FINAL CRISIS OR CARE ABOUT THE DCU.
** spoiler omitted **
Well, there is a point there. However, keep in mind that . . .
** spoiler omitted **
Fair points, all. Well said.
** spoiler omitted **** spoiler omitted **Even though I have been a stalwart DC defender here and at other sites (DC-Venger?), even I have my limits.
DON'T READ THE SPOILER UNLESS YOU ARE NOT READING FINAL CRISIS OR CARE ABOUT THE DCU.
** spoiler omitted **
Actually...
DON'T READ UNLESS YOU WANT SPOILERS FOR MORRISON'S WORK OR FINAL CRISIS
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Even though I have been a stalwart DC defender here and at other sites (DC-Venger?), even I have my limits.
DON'T READ THE SPOILER UNLESS YOU ARE NOT READING FINAL CRISIS OR CARE ABOUT THE DCU.
** spoiler omitted **
I'm not surprised. DC is really starting to go down hill. But I'm not worried. As soon as sales tank, or they get tired of whoever the new guy is, or flip a coin, they'll bring the character back. Just ask Barry Allen.
I'm so disgruntled with both Marvel and DC at this point, I'm drastically scaling back my comics. I won't buy anymore "Big Event" comics and I doubt I'll pick up anymore new titles from either company.
** spoiler omitted **** spoiler omitted **Even though I have been a stalwart DC defender here and at other sites (DC-Venger?), even I have my limits.
DON'T READ THE SPOILER UNLESS YOU ARE NOT READING FINAL CRISIS OR CARE ABOUT THE DCU.
** spoiler omitted **
Actually...
DON'T READ UNLESS YOU WANT SPOILERS FOR MORRISON'S WORK OR FINAL CRISIS
** spoiler omitted **
Thanks for the correction.
Spoilers for various and sundry messes around the DC Universe lately:
In the mean time, we'll get Bucky . . . er . . . Nightwing as Batman (since they don't seem to know what to do with Nightwing) wondering if he can live up to Bruce's legacy, wondering if he's loosing himself by being Batman, resenting Bruce all over again because he has to take his place . . . because if there is one thing I've always said, its that Batman needs more whining and indecision to make it interesting. And if a complete nobody becomes Batman again (not that they would ever do that . . . twice . . .) there isn't really much drive for anyone to pick up the book.
The problem with people writing Batman is that Batman is a badass and has had a horrible life. In portraying Batman, the stories are much more enjoyable when these two facts are assumptions rather than constantly demonstrated and explored. Every issue doesn't have to revolve around why Batman does what he does, and sometimes its a lot cooler that he has solved a crime or come up with a solution than to spend pages and pages telling us how brilliant he is.
Paul Dini once mentioned that the key to the animated series was that 90% of the episodes weren't about Batman/Bruce Wayne, they were about the bad guys or the victims of the bad guys. You introduce a compelling story, then apply the constant, Batman, to the story. Sure, you can get into his head once in a while, but a little goes a long way, because at his core, Batman is a pretty simple concept.
From the 70's through the early 90's, I think this was pretty much how the best Batman writers, from Denny O'Neil, to Doug Moench, to Alan Grant, to Chuck Dixon wrote the character. Most of the interest in the story was the victim, the crime itself, or the perpetrator of the crime. In fact, this is probably a good reason why Batman has such a great rogue's gallery, because the challenge is really to make villains you want to read about before Batman pounds on them, and just about every one of the above writers added several new, compelling bad guys to the rogue's gallery.
The biggest tragedy of it all is that pretty much since the Knightfall storyline, the well that DC keeps going to is examining if Bruce really wants to keep being Batman, and running through the cycle of Bruce having a crisis, giving up being Batman, then coming back to being Batman for a year or so before someone else thinks it would be cool to have Batman wonder who he is again. Tell the story where Batman saves the day, and Batman looks like a genius that thinks of everything. Focus the story on why Bruce does what he does and how, and after a while he looks less like a driven hero with a plan for everything, and the more he looks like a dangerously unstable paranoid delusional genius that should be locked up in Arkham along with his villains.
So we'll probably get all of these stories about how many alternate horrible lives Bruce lived through and became even more driven and dedicated, etc. Who cares? I'm thinking that seeing your parents shot in front of you is good enough. Quit trying to take it up to 11.
I don't want to see Bruce as vulnerable, or see his sensitive side, or whatever. I'm betting a lot more people think that Batman its THE man because of how he was portrayed in JLU than from any of his titles over the last few years.
The sad thing isn't that Bruce is dead. Its that he'll come back. And this isn't sad because I don't like Batman, its sad because its pointless, and it only serves to continue to make the actual comics the weakest link in most superheroes' mythos these days. Comics don't set the baseline for other media to follow, they shift constantly hoping to make some big controversial splash that will let them ride the wave until they think of another major crossover that "must" be read because it will have ramifications for weeks to come!
Rest in peace, Bruce, may your resurrection be better thought out than Jason Todd's, and your reboot less jarring than Peter Parker's. Not that I care, because comics as a medium are now irrelevant.
(Oh, and to read something far less ranting and far more interesting on a similar topic, find Len Wein's Unofficial X-Men and read the essay on a similar topic by James Lowder.)
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For my own hopes, if the get rid of Dan Didio and people like Morrison, then that will be a huge step towards fixing what's broke.