Green Bay Press-Gazette from Green Bay, Wisconsin • Page 27

Ideas or comments? Call Lifestyle Editor Mike Blecha (414) 431-8311 Monday, April 26, 1993 Green Bay Press-Gazette On education Ul rti i if Now, instead of reaching for titles like Little Lulu, Pogo, or Freckles and his Friends, comic buffs are more apt to encounter the Punisher, Death's Head, Deathlok, the Savage Dragon, Wolverine, and Hellblazers, although Ren and Stimpy, the cat and dog team from the Nickelodeon channel, remain popular. "Deathlok is a cybernetic killing machine a dead guy with metal parts," says King. "The Punisher is one of the more popular characters. (He's) an insane ex-cop who goes around killing people." Remember "Mr. Sandman," the dreamy icon of the '50s whose mission was to bring you a dream, the cutest that you'd ever seen? Well in today's popular selling Sandmen comic book, the Sandman is still the ruler of dream land, but his consorts are family members named Death, Destiny, Destruction, Delirium, and the twins, Desire and Despair.

Yet not all of today's heroes have become renegades with questionable allegiances. The latest comic craze, dealers say, are the X-Men. This eccentric bunch, who came together in the '60s to collaborate their powers in fighting the forces of evil, has enjoyed a resurgence of popularity due greatly to their Saturday morning cartoon show on Fox stations. "They're basically normal except one's got wings and one is sometimes covered with ice," explains Anthony Lash, a comic collector stationed at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. "The only problem with (Cyclops) is he has to wear ruby glasses to contain the beam that shoots out of his eyes." and had to repair their own costumes.

Batman, for example, once suffered a nervous breakdown. Iron-man is a recovered alcoholic, and Speedy was a junky. But today, characters have fallen even lower. "Characters used to have huge moral status," says Martinez. "Nowadays, most of the ones kids are familiar with are more of the bad-guy types fighting for a good cause in a hostile society, but on their own terms." Ken King, owner of the Comi-clogue in West Des Moines, Iowa, and a professional comic dealer since 1954, says blurring distinctions between "good" and "bad" characters are making it harder to tell the difference between the two.

King, a former English teacher, believes the change has to due with the concept of altruism. "Altruism is a word most kids don't know anymore," says King. "They don't understand why Superman is a good guy if he's not getting paid or seeking vengeance." The next Superman may be more convincing. DC Comics has come out with four new Supermen, one of whom, Kryptoman, is cold, unemotional, and has no qualms about disposing of those who get in his way. But modern superheroes aren't only becoming more ambiguous.

"The big difference is that most kill their victims today, instead of taking them to jail," says King. "Venom eats them." It used to be that graphically violent and sexually explicit material was regulated by the Comics Code, an organization established by the Comics Magazine Association of America in 1954, but the regulatory group is now defunct. Comic book stars have a new look and new style By Sheryl Henderson Gannett News Service They burst into the stratosphere with a mission usually to save the world, or to destroy it. From Superman and the Atomic Skull, to Captain America and The Bunny from Beyond, superheroes have kept imaginations alive with cartoon tales that defy reality. Yet the superheroes and su-pervillians of today that spring from the pages of comic books are mutating from their predecessors, attempting to become more "realistic" by re-defining the traditional meaning of su-per-humanness.

Witness what happened when Superman finally met his match and succumbed to the powers of Doomsday in January. Surprisingly, the event, which sold more than three million comic books, was heralded by many of the younger generation, who were only too eager to swap the 58-year-old man of steel for one of the more contemporary alloy-derivatives, like Ironman. "Some kids were actually happy to see him die they said he was too powerful," says Ronnel Martinez, salesman at Sincere Comics, in Pensacola, Fla. These days, the attraction is for more down-to-earth heroes the "Everyman" portrayal of empowered folks just trying to beat the odds. Marvel Comics editor Stan Lee began introducing characters in the early '60s who caught colds, couldn't cash checks payable to their superheroic aliases Make it short The secret to a good college commencement speaker? A short speech, but a big name.

Parents and students can't wait to see diplomas handed out, so "the best commencement speeches are always the briefest," says Richard Rosser, president of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. Colleges also want the prestige of nationally known speakers. Here's who's got whom: First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, May 1, at the University of Michigan. Fred Rogers, celebrating his 25th year as host of PBS's Mister Rogers Neighborhood, May 1 at the University of Pittsburgh and May 14 at Goucher College, Tow-son, Md. Benjamin L.

Hooks, former executive director of the NAACP, May 8 at the University of Richmond, law school. Oprah Winfrey, May 16, Spel-man College, Atlanta, Ga. Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben and Jerry's Homemade Ice Cream, May 15, Bentley College, Wal-tham, Mass. Gannett News Service -v, i fjsf:) Mill a 1 GNS photo The X-Men: Comic book dealers say the X-Men are the latest craze. They're a bizarre bunch who got together in the '60s to merge their powers to fight evil.

The X-Men are enjoying renewed popularity due to their Saturday morning cartoon show on Fox stations. CHOP! goes her boredom Let's consider retiring some of these fads Parenting series: Mary-Ellen Siemers of Still Waters, a state-certified Mental Health Clinic, will lead the series. It will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. beginning Tuesday, May 4, with the topic, building your child's self-esteem. Behavior management of the difficult child follows Tuesday, May 11, with the last session on attention deficit hyperactive disorder, Tuesday, May 18.

Registration deadline is Thursday. Call 432-5002. Diabetes support: American Diabetes Association Bay-Area Chapter Support Groups for adults, children and parents will meet the second Monday of the month, starting in September at 7 p.m. at Bellin College of Nursing, 929 Cass St. Information, 498-1066.

The next meeting is May 10. Type A and sports injuries: Because people who exhibit Type-A behavior tend to be hard driving, they may hurt themselves more frequently when exercising. Their competitiveness may cause them to be excessively intense when working out, leading to injury. It also takes them longer to heal than more easygoing Type-Bs. Staff" and wire reports I.

V. Got a funny tale to tell on Mom? She gets a kick out of Tae Kwon Do and working to preserve the environment By Terry Anderson Press-Gazette Kelly Robe has a remedy if she gets bored CHOP! Robe, 17, is a regional Tae Kwon Do champion whose specialty is board breaking. The first board she split has been mounted on a plaque as a memory to perseverence and discipline. "Tae Kwon Do has helped me in school, to set goals, and concentrate on accomplishing them. I was never big on public speaking, but this has helped me gain the confidence to believe in yourself.

"You also learn about respecting others." Kelly, 153 Viewpoint Road, a senior at Bay Port High School, is the daughter of Lawrence Robe and Barbara Falish. "I was intrigued by the martial arts and wanted to do something that was a little bit out of the ordinary," she says, recalling her first visit to Cho's Black Belt Academy, four years ago. "I walked in in street clothes and there were two people practicing combat and I thought 'Whoa, this is wild Three months later, with a swift and certain side kick, she broke her first board. "It's really got to do with technique and knowing where to hit the board." Today she holds a black belt and teaches part time to youngsters. While she doesn't play up the self-defense aspect of Tae Kwon Do, she admits it's comforting to know how to protect yourself.

Board breaking is just one of Robe's interests. An honor student, she participates in forensics, mock trial, the language academic team and writes for the school newspaper. She also is a member of the school's ecology club and the Student Environmental Network, an organization that includes students from throughout the metropolitan area. In fall she hopes to enroll at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. "I'm leaning toward criminal law or environmental law.

The environment, because I believe someone must do something or it could get worse. Criminal law because it's exciting. You're either defending or prosecuting." By Katy Kelly Gannett News Service While we were nestled snug in our beds; perhaps in some kind of snow-induced semi-coma, something goofy happened: Good trends turned bad and bad ideas got marketed. Maybe it's time for spring houseclean-ing. Some recent fads that should be rethought or retired: Bellbottoms.

An excellent fashion move for the tall and svelte who are hop- ing to pass for short and squat. Grunge. Suitable only for twenty- somethings. If you're old enough to be grungy for the second time in your life, stop yourself now. Clear beer.

Enough said. Princess Di made-for-TV movies. He's self-absorbed. She's bulimic. We know.

Amy Fisher videos. Amy shot Mary for the love of Joey. He says there was no love. Mary Jo says Amy's a "sick chick." We don't care anymore. The Brady Bunch redux.

The first 700 trips down Brady lane were fine, but ABC's upcoming Bradymania really is than anyone needs. Knock-off trolls. Not all trolls are J. cute. Ninja trolls, Bat trolls and espe- daily Madonna trolls with grown-up body-detailing can go back to living underia bridge.

Beer bongs. A lot of things seem like a good idea when you're young and but funneling beer straight down your throat is dumb. Trust us. Socks the Cat T-shirts, dolls, but-r tons, hats and newsletters. Stop it.

Celeb-authored children's Paulina Porizkova's, The Adventures of the Roach doesn't make for a -great night's sleep. Novelty paperback books of coni- piled (but inane) aphorisms. Cliffs iotes for the ck-A-lifc SCt. XO Press-Gazette Let's face it. Mom does some funny things.

Sure, she changed our diapers, wiped our noses and comforted us when our knees or feelings were hurt. But remember the time she thought there were burglars in the house and skulked from room to room with a breadboard? Mom, the one-woman army. Or what about the time she hopped on a go-cart and scared the pants off all the 12-year-old boys at the track? Mom, the road warrior. Everybody has a Mom story to tell. And, we'd like to hear yours.

The tales will become the basis of a Mother's Day feature to be published May 9. We'll print some of the funniest stories that day, too. Don't be afraid to tell on Mom. She's has a sense of humor. How else could she live through raising you? Send letters to Mom is Funny, Green Bay Press-Gazette, P.O.

Box 19430, Green Bay, Wis. 54307-9430. They must be postmarked by Thursday. And then there were two: The Violent Femmes, Milwaukee's best known alternative-rock trio, became a duo on April 20. On the same day the Violent Femmes played St.

Norbert College, drummer Victor DeLorenzo announced his immediate departure from the band. The Femmes managed to get BoDeans drummer Guy Hoffmann to fill in for the local gig and remaining tour dates through early May. DeLorenzo cited creative differences and the desire to pursue other projects for the split. DeLorenzo, along with current members Gordon Gano and Brian Ritchie, founded the band 12 years ago. Band manager Gary Borman described the separation as "amicable" and said DeLorenzo may participate in the band in the future.

The Femmes' sixth album is due out early this fail. Kendra Meinert Press-Gazette photo by Joan Gutheridge Hard-working: Kelly Robe of Howard shows a couple of the trophies she has won in her discipline, Tae Kwon Do. Robe says she will continue with Tae Kwon Do. "It's a source of exercise. During an average Tae Kwon Do lesson you burn about 700 calories.

"The day I received my black belt was a big moment because it was such neat feeling. Here's everything you work for. Take it. But the greatest feeling was that first belt. That was a real moment of accomplishment." "Young Neighbors" focuses on people under 20.

If you have a suggestion for a profile, call Mike Blecha at 431-8311. Readers' Corner Check it out Reminisce with Eleanor Roosevelt: Saturday, as portrayed by Maxine Weisner. The event is sponsored by American Association of University Women. The noon lun A A TV highlight 'Pride of the Yankees' The movie airs at 7 p.m. on Fox (Channel 26, Green Bay).

This colorized version of the 1945 movie stars Gary Cooper in the moving story of baseball great Lou Gehrig. Complete TV listings are on 0-3. Ann Landers cheon will be held at Embassy Suites. Cost, $13. Reservations are necessary.

Call 433-1455 or 336-4363. Tyler Bronold Rosin, 2, takes work very seriously, especially when he's helping his Grandma Sandy Rosin of Shawano roll out pie crust for Thanksgiving. His parents are Dan Rosin and Patricia Bronold. All-District Variety Show: Friday and Saturday. How- column D-2 vrj( aii- A7 ard-: I High gh Suamico School District, show will take place at Bay Port School in the Harold Sheedy Auditorium.

Features school personnel. Begins at 7:30 p.m. with silent auction. Cost, $3 students or children. $5 adults, Send photos for publication consideration to Readers' Corner, Green Bay Press-Gazette.

P.O. Box 19430, Green Bay, Wis. 54307-9430. Soap opera updates, movie reviews. Call 24 hours a day.

1-900-773-6000 Then dial 4 95 per minute. Touchtone callers only. Dog show: Saturday, 8 a p.m., Packerland Kennel Club at the Brown County Expo Center. Admission, $1. Items are taken from Calendar, published Thursdays in Lifestyle.

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