Category: Comics

“It’s clobberin’ time!”

From: Fantastic Four

Genre: Comics

Who said it?: The Thing/Ben Grimm

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from Marvel‘s First Family, the Fantastic Four. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the Fantastic Four are a group of people who were bombarded with cosmic rays that granted them superpowers. They then decided to use these new abilities to help mankind.

The quote is actually the catchphrase of one of the members of the Fantastic Four, Ben Grimm AKA The Thing. The first time the catchphrase/quote was used was way back in Fantastic Four #22, The Return of the Mole Man. In the issue, Mole Man managed to trick the Fantastic Four into an isolated island and plans to trap them there while he sinks New York and Moscow in order to get the two nations to ignite a world war.

Sue Storm/Invisible Woman uses her new found ability to create force fields to enable them to pass through their radioactive prison. As the Fantastic Four escape and prepare to go after the Mole Man, Ben Grimm/The Thing utters the catchphrase and the quote for the very first time in Marvel continuity.

Geek wisdom: While it’s always nice to try to resolve things peacefully, there are times when force will be necessary. Sometimes, you do have to go “clobberin'” in order for peace to work.

“It’s never as bad as it seems. You’re much stronger than you think you are. Trust me.”

From: All-Star Superman

Genre: Comics

Who said it?: Superman

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from DC’s All-Star Superman, specifically the 10th issue of this limited series. Written by Grant Morrison and illustrated by Frank Quitely, the series follows Superman, knowing his death is near, tries to do as many good deeds as possible as well as trying to ensure the Earth’s safety after his passing.

As mentioned, the quote happens in Issue #10. A desperate teen named Regan is about to throw herself off a building. Superman’s super-hearing catches Regan’s doctor trying desperately to reach her over the phone but is unable to. Superman then uses his super speed to fly to Regan and, in order to stop her from jumping and that he believes in her, delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Even in our most desperate times, things can get better. We just have to power through and use our own strength and will to get through it. It may take a long time and it may take a lot of effort. But as long as we persist in trying to make things better, things will get better eventually.

“The problems we face still exist. We’re not going to solve them for you. We’re going to solve them with you.”

From: Kingdom Come

Genre: Comics

Who said it?: Superman

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from DC Comics’ graphic novel Kingdom Come. Written by Mark Waid and beautifully illustrated by Alex Ross, Kingdom Come is an Elseworld story where a retired Superman returns to action to reform the Justice League when a new breed of superheroes start to take their vigilante crusade too far. 

The quote comes near the end of the story. After the United Nations kill a majority of the new superheroes and Captain Marvel/Billy Batson, Superman goes on a rampage at the UN building. He is only talked down by a minister named Norman McCay, who the Spectre told was going to decide the fate of the world. McCay tells Superman what he’s doing at that moment is precisely why the world is scared of them as they don’t have the power to fight back. Superman backs off and, deciding he cannot force his ideology on others, delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: We shouldn’t rely on other people, no matter how powerful they might be, to solve our problems. We have to get into the dirt and do the work ourselves. Also, we might like the solution they give us as they don’t know what we need; we’re the only ones who know what is required.

“This is fine.”

From: Gunshow and memes

Genre: Comics

Who said it?: Question Hound

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote come from the webcomic, Gunshow. Gunshow was drawn by KC Green, who just so happened to draw a lot of comics which, like this one, became the inspiration for several meme. This is probably his most famous one, though.

The quote comes from the strip entitled either “On Fire” or “The Pills are Working”. In it, an anthropomorphic dog named Question Hound is sitting at his dining room table enjoying a cup of tea while his entire house is on fire. He delivers the quote and states that everything is okay, despite him starting to melt from the heat.

Geek wisdom: Pretending that everything is normal when things are definitely not is not healthy. When a problem arises, especially grave ones, pretending things are going to be okay won’t make them disappear. It’s best to take action to solve them.

“You don’t think about saving the world. You think about saving one person. Because sometimes, that’s enough.”

From: Superman: Grounded

Genre: Comics

Who said it?: Superman

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from DC Comics’ Superman, specifically the first issue of the Superman: Grounded storyline. This follows Superman’s journey across the United States in an attempt to reconnect with the people of Earth after being offworld for so long.

The quote comes from the first issue of the storyline. Superman encounters a woman who wants to commit suicide by jumping off a building. She wants to kill herself as she feels hopeless as she lost her mother and her job. She basically feels she feels life is pointless. This is direct contrast with how she felt she was going to change the world after she graduated from high school and she feels life just isn’t fair. Superman says that’s just how life is. Superman then agrees with her that everyone believes they can save the world when the graduate high school. This is when he delivers the quote while reminiscing how his Kryptonian parents saved him by sending him to Earth.

 

Geek wisdom: We don’t have to do something grand to be a hero. Even the smallest heroic deed is still an act of heroism. And even helping just a singular person has an impact in the world.

“Ain’t no thing like me, ‘cept me.”

From: Guardians of the Galaxy

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Rocket

The story behind the quote: This quote comes from the first Guardians of the Galaxy film. The Guardians of the Galaxy wasn’t all that well-known outside the comic book community. However, thanks to this movie, their popularity and they’ve became some of the most beloved comic book heroes today.

The quote comes from the middle of the film. Each of the individual characters were captured and sent to a prison planet. Star-Lord (played by Chris Pratt) comments that he wouldn’t have been captured by “a tree and a raccoon” anyway. referring to Groot and Rocket. Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper) is confused as, since he’s never been to Earth, doesn’t know what a raccoon is. Star-Lord then tells him he’s a raccoon and Rocket delivers the quote in reply.

Geek wisdom: Even identical twins, while they may look exactly alike, have little differences that makes them unique. No two people will ever be exactly alike because of their strengths and their weaknesses. We should celebrate both of these things as these are what makes each of us unique and special in our own little way.

“I’ve told this story so often, it might even be true.”

From: Larry King Live

Genre: Television and Comics

Who said it?: Stan Lee

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote is a unique one as it doesn’t come from any form of geek media. It does, however, come from one of the legends of the geek community, comic legend Stan Lee. It’s one of my favorite quotes from the man.

During a 2000 interview during Larry King Live, Stan Lee was asked about how he came to creating one of Marvel’s most popular characters, Spider-Man. Stan Lee starts out by saying how he’s created a whole lot of superheroes before and then sticks in the quote before continuing.

Geek wisdom: Our memories are a funny thing. While we think we have perfect recollection of a moment in our lives, it’s always clouded by our own perceptions of what we’re feeling at the time. Some events may be too good to be true while others may seem not so bad in reality.

“You lived what anybody gets, Bernie. You got a lifetime. No more. No less.”

From: The Sandman Vol. 2

Genre: Comics

Who said it?: Death

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote come from The Sandman comics. Created by Neil Gaiman, the comic generally follows Morpheus, AKA Dream. The stories generally follow Dream as well as his siblings, the Endless. One of his siblings is Death but, instead of the usual Grim Reaper figure, Neil Gaiman changed the character into a more perky girl.

The quote is more of a side story that pops up in the Brief Lives story arc. A man named Bernie Capax looks like any other ordinary man but he is, in fact, more than ten thousand years old. Unfortunately, through sheer bad luck, he finally perishes when an unstable brick wall falls on top of him. Death finally gets to take him away. Bernie, while initially upset, looks at Death and is strangely proud of how long he did live. This is when Death delivers the quote.

Death Sandman

Geek wisdom: No matter how long we have for this world, it will always feel like it isn’t enough. This is all the more reason to live life to its fullest.

“I love mankind… It’s people I can’t stand!”

From: Peanuts

Genre: Comics

Who said it?: Linus Van Pelt

The story behind the quote: The quote comes the very popular Peanuts comic strip. Created by Charles M. Schulz, Peanuts featured a huge cast of characters, including the born loser Charlie Brown, the enigmatic beagle named Snoopy, the Beethoven loving Schroeder, the ever crabby Lucy Van Pelt and her brother, the security blanket carrying Linus. The last two just so happen to be the topic of today.

The quote comes from a storyline wherein Linus proclaims he wants to be a doctor when he grows up. Lucy then scoffs at the idea because she believes her brother doesn’t love mankind. This is when Linus gives the quote as a retort.

I love Mankind

Geek wisdom: The idea of people and humanity as a whole is very idyllic and we want to believe we all will do things for the greater good. Unfortunately, there will always be people who will be selfish and only care for themselves. It’s easy to love humanity as a whole but there are always going to be individuals you can’t help but dislike.

“Rats are the lowliest and most despised of all creatures, my love. If they have a purpose, so do we.

From: The Suicide Squad (2021)

Genre: Movies, Comics

Who said it?: Ratcatcher 1

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the live-action DC comic book movie, The Suicide Squad. This is not to be confused with the film that was released in 2016. Written and directed by James Gunn, The Suicide Squad serves both as a sequel and a reboot of the franchise, which sees various supervillains from DC comics recruited to serve on black ops missions for the US government.

The quote comes near the very end of the film. Overwhelmed by Starro the Conqueror’s zombie-like soldiers, Ratcatcher 2 (played by Daniela Melchior) uses her ability and summons all the city’s rats to attack the alien creature. As she does this, she remembers when she was young and asking her father, Ratcatcher 1 (played by Taika Waititi), as to why he chose to control rats. This is when he gives the quote.

Geek wisdom: Every thing in the world and in the universe has its purpose. Even the tiniest thing you might think as useless still has its uses. This is especially true for people.