Axe’s Musings
March 2026
Whedon Ruined Hollywood. His Absence Is Worse.
It’s odd that we’ve mastered the art of casting out demons while keeping the possession. Hollywood has embodied every tired affect of "Whedon-speak," the quippy, rapid-fire dialogue, that has become cliché, while its stories flop around aimlessly because they spit the bones out.
For Whedon, beneath the alleged sins of manner and conduct, possessed something talent can’t alone provide. He had architecture. Buffy was not beloved because its characters were witty; they were witty because they were real, and they were real because their choices mattered. Firefly lasted fourteen episodes and refuses to die, (there’s an announcement that a Firefly cartoon is in development). This is not the achievement of a craftsman. It is the achievement of a man who knew stories aren’t just entertainment, but a mythos revealing a fallen world, about a fallen people, and all worthy of the hard path back.
The imitators have inherited the style and lost the architecture entirely, and we’re poorer for it.
A Lighthouse Kiss – The Heart of Excalibur #43
In Alan Davis ‘s Excalibur #43 (1991), a single page delivers pure comic gold. After Nightcrawler’s dream of Meggan sparks Captain Britain’s jealousy—igniting a heated argument in the crowded lighthouse—Meggan descends the central shaft, carrying gear with the Technet.
Spotting Brian, she leans in for a swift kiss, whispers “good morning,” and glides onward, entirely oblivious to the drama surrounding her.
Davis, both writing and drawing, captures the moment’s effortless charm. Meggan’s instinctive warmth cuts through tension like sunlight; Britain’s scowl dissolves, and the argument simply evaporates.
It is a masterclass in visual storytelling—no monologue required. Davis resolves a simmering love triangle with wit, economy, and genuine affection for these characters.
Simple, romantic, unforgettable. This is Excalibur at its best, and precisely why Davis remains one of comics’ most beloved craftsmen.
September 2025
Lady Midnight Launch
Doing my best to pull the site together for those Lady Midnight Backers who want to join this little community. Right now the Mobile Version is a little lacking, so I’ll be focused on getting that squared away. In the meantime start yakin’ in the chat – say hi!
Do let me know if you see any bugs. In fact, perhaps I should put a bug report in the chat!