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Adam Bender Posts

Batman Still Cool in the Future

Published by Adam on February 27, 2011

The idea of taking classic characters and sticking them 50 years in the future never appealed to me. So when I heard they were doing it to my favorite DC Comics hero Batman, I was less than eager to see the results. The show introduced a “younger, hipper” Batman who wasn’t even in the comics, and it was easy to see that the creators meant this to replace their classic Batman: The Animated Series.

Batman Beyond

It seemed like a pure marketing move. It was 1999, a year before the millennium, and everything on TV seemed to be going space age. Even the creators of The Simpsons were making Futurama.

So I never really got into Batman Beyond. I watched a handful of episodes, and that was the end of it. But now, more than a decade later, I decided it was time to give it a second chance.

Let me tell you, I was wrong to abandon this show back in the day. The first thing that struck me about Batman Beyond was how dark it is. This was a Saturday morning cartoon, but season one’s topics include chemical warfare and drug overdosing. The next thing I noticed was how well it honored the Batman character’s past despite taking place so far in the future. While most of the villains are brand new, there are references and sometimes entire episodes about classic villains. Particularly clever is an episode discussing what happened to Bane (the villain of the next Batman movie) after pumping himself with the steroid-like “venom” his entire life.

Did I mention that Will Friedle (Eric from Boy Meets World) provided the voice of the new Batman? That’s almost as awesome as Mr. Feeny doing the voice of KITT on Knight Rider!

Batman's secret identity?

You can get all 52 episodes on DVD for about $50 if you shop around online. If you’re any kind of comics fan, you owe it to yourself to check this show out. The writing is terrific, not to mention the shway pre-digital animation.

If you like it, I also recommend the feature-length film Return of the Joker. It’s even darker than the show (so much so that they released censored and unrated versions) and includes flashbacks of present-day Batman.

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Officially a Bargain

Published by Adam on January 28, 2011

My novel WE, THE WATCHED is featured on the Bargain eBooks blog. The blog showcases eBooks that cost less than $5.00. Definitely a great place to get recommendations for good reading as the eBook revolution gets under way.

Click here to read the entry on WE, THE WATCHED.

P.S. I promise my next blog post won’t be about the novel. Probably.

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Awards and Moderation

Published by Adam on January 25, 2011

I entered WE, THE WATCHED for Amazon.com’s annual Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award (ABNA) for unpublished and self-published novels. The grand prize is a publishing contract with Penguin, including a $15,000 advance. So, yeah, wish me luck.

If telecommunications law is more your thing, you may be interested to know I recently moderated a panel about the new Congress and a potential rewrite of the Telecom Act. The panel included executives from USTelecom, NTCA, CompTel and Qwest. While I’m not sure I like seeing myself on tape, I’ve included the video of the full event below. Enjoy…or at least learn.

Broadband Breakfast: Will Congress Reopen the 1996 Telecommunications Act? from Broadband Breakfast on Vimeo.

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Watched Around the World

Published by Adam on January 11, 2011

Praise for my novel continues to come in! Recently, I got this message from an English teacher who lives in Bolivia. To her, my portrayal of the government in WE, THE WATCHED hit almost too close to home.

I loved it.  The Cold War, secrets kept by the government from the people who elect the government officials from the bottom up, and the ability to access people’s files, calls and computers makes the story believable.  Here, in Bolivia, where I’ve lived for the last 30 years, it’s now illegal to use the word “indio” or to say anything against the president of the republic.  It’s punishable by arrest and jail.  Members of the Press who write in his contra, and politicians who stand up against his injustices, are also jailed.

–M.R.M., English teacher at a bilingual private school in South America

You can buy WE, THE WATCHED for your Kindle, Nook or other eReader from Smashwords.

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The Year’s Best Songs (2010 Mix)

Published by Adam on December 28, 2010

Every year I create a mix of my favorite songs of the year. My rules are that (1) the songs must have been released Jan. 1 or later of the current year,  (2) only one song per artist, even if the entire album was genius, and (3) the tracks must flow together.  The last rule is more of a guideline — Since it’s a mix, not a Top 10, I don’t order them by most favorite to least favorite, or vice-a-versa.

Below is my mix for 2010, which I call “Psychedelic Grooves.” I’ve tried to include links to audio or video streams where I could find them. Post your own 2010 mixes in the comment section!

  1. The Acorn — Restoration
    The swirling acoustic guitar line hypnotizes in this alluring track by the up and coming Canadian indie folk band.
  2. Old 97’s — Every Night is Friday Night (Without You)
    The Texas alt-country rock band comes out fists swinging in this punchy send off to an ex.
  3. Broken Bells — The High Road
    By far the best song by the collaboration of Shins singer James Mercer and Danger Mouse, this song will have you clapping and singing along in no time. Read my review of the album here.
  4. Crocodiles — Sleep Forever
    Psychedelic rock is back, and it’s got teeth. Read my review of the album here.
  5. Ash — Dionysian Urge
    Thrilling guitar work from the great Tim Wheeler on one of my favorite tracks from Ash’s amazing A-Z series.
  6. Jimmy Eat World — Coffee and Cigarettes
    The Arizona band best known for “The Middle” showed they still matter on this year’s Invented, and this chugging rocker finds them in top form.
  7. Nada Surf — Love and Anger
    This underrated indie group released one of the best cover albums ever by ignoring all the standards and playing hidden gems instead.  This cover of Kate Bush marks the most haunting of the set.
  8. MGMT — Flash Delirium
    This cut from Congratulations is, like the album itself, a bit of a grower. But while it might leave you scratching your head after the first spin, it’s hard to deny this band’s talent for writing compelling music.
  9. Yeasayer — Ambling Alp
    Sure it sounds like the ’80s, but Yeasayer play it with such gusto you can’t not like it. Warning: may get stuck in your head. Read my review of the full album.
  10. Gorillaz — On Melancholy Hill
    Catchy in a depressing way, this one will have you bobbing your head with a frown. But it will be a really wonderful, “I’m having an epiphany” kind of frown. Review of the album here.
  11. Pete Yorn — Precious Stone
    This straightforward rocker shows Yorn at his best. If only all of his self-titled album was this good…
  12. Two Door Cinema Club — Something Good Can Work
    Fans of Bloc Party and Death Cab for Cutie should dig this great young Irish band. How does he sing that fast, anyway? Live show also recommended.
  13. Spoon — Got Nuffin
    Rockin’ and minimalist. Nuff said.
  14. Trashcan Sinatras — I Hung My Harp Upon The Willows
    A haunting ballad from the Scottish veterans. See this band live if you can.
  15. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club — Sweet Feeling
    This melancholy tune is sure to make you stare thoughtfully out the window.
  16. Wavves — King Of The Beach
    Sounds like a surfing outing with Green Day, Blink-182, the Beach Boys and the Violent Femmes. Better than a blister in the sun.
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Adam Bender | adambenderwrites.com | watchadam.blog