There's no need to fear! The Mercury is here!

It's not easy being the promotions and marketing guy for a newspaper in the age of 'dieing newspapers.'

People look to you to be the hero. But dudes like me--standing 5'4, and weighing in at 130 pounds--aren't exactly hero material. (A radioactive spider bite might help.)

Funny thing is, that's why people turned to newspapers in the first place--for a hero. The people wanted the uncanny truth, unfloundering democracy... and crossword puzzles. Think about it; why did Clark Kent and Peter Parker work for their city's newspaper when they weren't fighting baddies? Because newspapers fight for the truth, for the people, for a better community and for a better tomorrow.

So I figured if what the people want is a hero, it's time we gave 'em one, darn it. And last week, that's exactly what we did. We had our resident (and awesomely talented) cartoonist Alan MacBain bring The Mercury to life--as a full on super hero with Dr. Manhattan's glowing blue skin, a shiney chrome Jay Garrick helmet, and a faithful (not to mention feisty) floating sidekick named "Dot." Besides, after all these years of elegantly posing next to The Mercury logo, it's the least we could do for our pal Skippy.

If you missed Sunday's Mercury, you missed this introduction panel. (Give it a click for full resolution.)

But now that Pottstown's hero is here, how do you see his crusading story unfolding in the future? What evil villains might await him? What are his weaknesses? Will Marvel Comics hate us for creating a superhero cooler than The Mighty Thor? And does anyone else have Bonnie Tyler's "Holding Out For A Hero" stuck in their head?

But more importantly... who will play Skippy in the movie adaption? Def not Christian Bale!

He is Iron Man. Da-na-na-na-na, na, na, na.

The consensus is pretty general, Downey Jr. as the iron-clad Tony Stark is the new blockbuster franchise Hollywood has been praying to the money gods for. And comic book dorks, movie critics, and regular joes alike are resounding with waves of pleased applause around the globe, not unlike the week the first Spiderman flick struck gold a few years back.

But you're here because you want to know what I see beneath the heavy (and sleek) Iron armor of the movie, aincha? Well allow me to suit your fancy.

There is an excellent soliloquy towards the conclusion of Kill Bill Part 2 where Bill waxes intellect on superheros and comic books. In it, he explains how Superman is the most unique of superheros because unlike most heroes out there in comic land, Superman is his true identity. He was born Superman. He became Clark Kent to fit in, which is backward for most heros, even the mutant X-men. And Clark Kent is how the all-powerful alien being, Superman, views the human race; dorky incapable dudes that work at newspapers (maybe he based his opinion off me?) Blah blah blah.

Well after catching the debut of Iron Man on the silver screen this weekend, I have to digress with my lisped warrior friend's argument on uniqueness of super characters. I'm more stricken by Iron Man.

(do a reader's u-turn here if you haven't seen the movie yet, spoilers may await ahead)

Like Batman from the DC Comic universe, Iron Man has no super powers. He is really just a man, who uses his buckets of wealth to finance expensive gadgets and inventions to combat the bad guys. Sure, he has a fusion thing embedded in his chest to keep him alive, but that's a weakness, not a power. If anything, his superpower is a deep debit account.

But unlike Batman, Iron Man is super in every way. Batman wields fear and mystery, while Iron Man rockets around with indestructible armor, weapons of mass destruction, strength and some of the most uncanny dry humor this side of Bill Murray. But the argument here is that most superheros walk the earth as two different people: Their hero crime fighting self, and their daily alter ego (who, in many cases works for a newspaper). For instance, Peter Parker does not want anyone to know he is Spiderman. He, of course, likes the attention, but doesn't want that vulnerability of being known by his enemies. So he hides his heroism away from his life as Peter. Plus his livelihood at the Daily Bugle hinges on NOT being Spiderman. He has much to hide from and be careful of, as all superheros do. So they live quietly and loudly, at the same time.

Iron Man, however, is Iron Man. He is loud and always loud. Tony Stark is the most obvious of all daily alter egos. His fusion chest thingy is no hidden secret, clear as daylight. And he doesn't think, talk, or do anything differently when in his armor.

After he saw the black and white of what he's brought to the world as a weapon's designer, he decided to fix what he's wronged. It's not as much about combating evil as it is clearing his conscience and defeating his own naivety. He has no division of personality, which is probably why Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark has the most personality of any character you'll see in a hero movie this year. It's full thrustered Iron Man, all the time, whether he's wearing his suit or not. The ending of the movie, than, could not be more appropriate. Finally! A superhero super enough to tell everyone who he is. To be publicly proud enough to let everyone in on the big secret. To take credit for saving the day. If any super hero can get away with that, it's Stark, the man who is still just a man.

To peace!

Oh and did you stay through the credits? You should be 'fury-ous' if you didn't. It looks like the beginning of a beautiful friendship, if you know what I mean. One that we are supposed to see much more of come 2011.

Some call it "the winter blues." I call it ENTERTAINMENT CATCHUP TIME!

Now that it's finally dropped below 60 degrees this week, we can be reminded that it's January and we're being slowly drug into the harsh biting belly of winter. And you know what that means? It means I stop going to the gym. I cut all social ties. Instead, I bask in the warmth of my bedroom watching DVDs and playing video games while forgetting what it means to interract with others, but make up for it by living the lives of countless others in their much more exciting stories. Don't fight it! Embrace it! Then when spring comes, you can chit chat with your friends about all these neato movies and books and they'll wonder where you get the time to take in all this stuff.

So for this week, here's the top 5 things we'll be scening and hearding here at Scene And Heard HQ quite frequently throughout the rest of winter's frosty days.

5. Rolling Stone, Cover To Cover
It's the digital archive library of Rolling Stone, from the first issue up through last May. Ever'body must get Stoned! This will, no doubt, keep me busy, as I look up random artists and then read up on everything about them that was ever printed in the Stone.

4. Elliott Smith catalog
Other than Mr. Smith, is there a voice out there in the music ether as frost-bitten as it is warm and comforting? No sir! It's beauty that hurts! And if you ask me, that's what winter is all about. So, I'll spend countless hours listening to Figure 8, Either/Or, and last year's New Moon, not being totally sure whether he's melting my ice or freezing my bones, and being totally cool with that.

3. Little Miss Sunshine
You can choose from millions of movies to watch this winter. But are there are any comedies as warm and loveable as this one? Naw, doubt it.

2. Kevin Smith-a-thon
While View Askew is currently filming a new flick starring Seth Rogen called "Zach and Miri Make A Porno" and planning for ANOTHER FILM later this year, things are shaping up quite well for us Smith fans. So what better way to prepare than by brushing up on our Jay And Silent Bob Quotes by running through the View Askew Universe in chronological order? Started watching Clerks last night as matter fact. Jersey Girl not included.

1. Holy Heroes, Batman!-a-thon
It can't be a coincidence that heroes have come roaring back in a big way this decade. We need to be saved in a lot of ways. Music, politics, writers strikes, wars, terror attacks, illegal downloading, school shootings, etc. And as far as comic book nerds go, it seems their entire nerdiverse is being adapted into movies and games. So to prepare for hot anticipations like Iron Man, The Dark Knight, and The Hulk...you can bet I'll be perusing it all. From watching season one of Heroes, to slashing through all the Xmen games as Wolverine on Playstation, to watching all the movies...good and bad. I'll even put myself through Batman & Robin, because what's chillier than The Schwartzenattor as Mr. Freeze?

"Allow me to break the ice. My name is Freeze. Learn it well. For it's the chilling sound of your doom."