Batman: the Brave and the Bold #7 - a fun issue with the Doom Patrol as guest heroes. With Beast Boy and the villain, it reminded me a lot of a Teen Titans Go! cartoon - which is good. I really enjoy this simple, fun book every month.
Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps #3 (of 3) - this mini concludes with two so-so GL Corps tales (of the origins of Killowog and Arisia) but for me the highlight was the director's cut of Blackest Night #0 which was given out on Free Comic Book Day (and I didn't know about it nor get a copy - booo). At least here I get a pencilled version of the story so that was nice. Would have been better in color but oh well.
Justice League of America #35 - Len Wein is scripting an arc of the group with the Royal Flush Gang as villains. The cover teases "the Return" but who it is was kind of interesting. This hero so doesn't mix with the group as they currently are assembled. Should be a good story arc before the new creative team takes over permanently.
Justice Society of America #29 - I didn't mind the new art team on this book. No, my problem was with Willingham's writing. When characters don't sound and act the way they should, that is a problem. Also, when you bring in a mob of villains it helps out a lot that some of them aren't currently dead or being used in another title in a new costume or have been totally reformed. Way to screw up the research there, Bill. Also not digging the new characters brought in with heavy focus on them. Sounds so "Mary Sue" to me. This is the JSA - the book deserves better.
Teen Titans #73 - well, we learn of at least two characters who aren't in the coffin. The story continues with the new Fearsome Five, the prison break and the others learning how to be a team when their leader is no where to help. The Ravager back-up continues to be interesting.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
DVD review - Buffy season 7 episodes 1 and 2
Continuing my viewing/reviewing of Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 7 (final season)....
SPOILERS
B7-1 Lessons (written by Joss Whedon, airdate 9/24/02)
Okay, we open with a woman in Istanbul being hunted down and killed by some mystery men. Hmmmmm. What could be more heavier than that? How about Dawn's first day of school at the newly reopened Sunnydale High? Yes, it is back to the beginning of sorts with weirdness in the hallways and basement of the old school atop the Hellmouth. Sometimes you can go home again. While this one was okay, it felt off. Part of it is that the gang isn't all together. Sure, we got Xander (in a suit?) and Buffy - but no Willow in town. And Dawn's new friends don't quite make decent substitutes. Oh, and then there is Spike who seems to be a little crazy. Is he seeing things? It appears so with the array of "big-bads", but is it a side effect of his getting his soul or something more? Hmmm.
B7-2 Beneath You (written by Douglas Petrie, airdate 10/1/02)
Another country (Germany) and another woman hunted and slain. This time, though, Buffy sees it in her dreams (remember when she used to get prophetic dreams? Yup, back to the basics which is good). The drive to school was almost like a little family (Mom-Buffy, Dad-Xander, daughter-Dawn) - how cute. Buffy is to start her new job at the school but instead she goes looking for Spike. No luck. But when Nancy's dog gets snacked on by a giant worm and Xander offers to help her, Spike shows up too. Uh oh. Tension. You know you are in deep when Dawn threatens you, Spike. Turns out the worm is really a worm, of sorts, - Nancy's ex-boyfriend Ronnie whom Anya has done her vengeance mojo on. Man, remind me not to tick Anya off. Liked how all that played out - especially when Nancy realized there was a round-robin of bed-hopping there, and then the big fight in the bar. In the end, Spike drops back into his crazy mode and spouts off "Angel should have warned me". Buffy puts it all together and realizes that Spike now has a soul, and that he did it for her. Wow. Pressure much. I'm hoping for a saner Spike to return - the crazy one seems a little whimpy to me.
SPOILERS
B7-1 Lessons (written by Joss Whedon, airdate 9/24/02)
Okay, we open with a woman in Istanbul being hunted down and killed by some mystery men. Hmmmmm. What could be more heavier than that? How about Dawn's first day of school at the newly reopened Sunnydale High? Yes, it is back to the beginning of sorts with weirdness in the hallways and basement of the old school atop the Hellmouth. Sometimes you can go home again. While this one was okay, it felt off. Part of it is that the gang isn't all together. Sure, we got Xander (in a suit?) and Buffy - but no Willow in town. And Dawn's new friends don't quite make decent substitutes. Oh, and then there is Spike who seems to be a little crazy. Is he seeing things? It appears so with the array of "big-bads", but is it a side effect of his getting his soul or something more? Hmmm.
B7-2 Beneath You (written by Douglas Petrie, airdate 10/1/02)
Another country (Germany) and another woman hunted and slain. This time, though, Buffy sees it in her dreams (remember when she used to get prophetic dreams? Yup, back to the basics which is good). The drive to school was almost like a little family (Mom-Buffy, Dad-Xander, daughter-Dawn) - how cute. Buffy is to start her new job at the school but instead she goes looking for Spike. No luck. But when Nancy's dog gets snacked on by a giant worm and Xander offers to help her, Spike shows up too. Uh oh. Tension. You know you are in deep when Dawn threatens you, Spike. Turns out the worm is really a worm, of sorts, - Nancy's ex-boyfriend Ronnie whom Anya has done her vengeance mojo on. Man, remind me not to tick Anya off. Liked how all that played out - especially when Nancy realized there was a round-robin of bed-hopping there, and then the big fight in the bar. In the end, Spike drops back into his crazy mode and spouts off "Angel should have warned me". Buffy puts it all together and realizes that Spike now has a soul, and that he did it for her. Wow. Pressure much. I'm hoping for a saner Spike to return - the crazy one seems a little whimpy to me.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
DVD review - Angel season 3 episode 20, 21 and 22
Concluding my viewing and reviewing of Angel season 3...
*** SPOILERS ***
A20: A New World (written by Jefrey Bell, airdate 5/6/02)
A21: Benediction (written by Tim Minear, airdate 5/13/02)
A22: Tomorrow (written by David Greenwalt, airdate 5/20/02)
These final three episodes really are the arc that deals with the return of Connor and how the ramifications effect Angel and the team. We've already had the alienation of Wesley due to the perceived betrayal that lead to Holtz taking the baby. Now, Connor is back - a grown teenager - and hell-bent on taking revenge on a man he was raised to hate. The fact that the boy fights as well and so similarly as his biological father drives home the point of how much the two are alike despite the fact that they've been apart so long (okay, three weeks from Angel's view, sixteen years from Connor's).
Great stuff between Lilah and Wesley as she tries to woo him over to Wolfram and Hart. W&H meanwhile isn't satisfied with things and makes an attempt of their own to get the returned young man. All that stuff worked for me.
What didn't work was a lot of episode 20 with Connor and the drug dealer and the junkie. I just felt a lot bored with some of that one. Maybe it was, in part, the quick-fix of returning the boy to the fold all grown up. Kind of reminded me of what old sitcoms used to do with quick aging of younger siblings between seasons from infants to adorable kids. Sure, this show had the built in "time passes differently in some hell-dimensions", as evidenced from the episode "Anne" back on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Still, it just kind of mared a good bit of episode 20 for me.
That is, until Holtz is revealed to be back too. He brings about a totally different thing. His complex view at justice and vengeance is played out so well in episode 21. And we get Justine back to play a part in it, with all her mix of emotions for Holtz that were left behind when he split with the child to his sudden return, etc. What he has her do in the end - all in the name of using "love" to hurt Angel is just so amazingly twisted. Loved it.
Of course, episode 22 is all about the fall-out. Groo decides it is finally time to get out of the way as he realizes how much Cordy cares for Angel. What a noble guy. Loren, too, feels the need to move on - most likely in part due to Connor's extreme reaction to his being a demon. He cared for that infant so much and clearly was so hurt by it. I am certain he'll be back - love the character too much for him to be gone. Wesley, meanwhile, is tired of Lilah's head-games as she is really starting to get to him - but is sex with her really the answer? It just goes to show how far Wes is falling, how dark his character is turning based on his actions. This is nice to see though as it is an aspect of the character we haven't had yet. Look forward to more of that.
And, lastly, the love between Angel and Cordelia. It has been building progressively over the seasons - unspoken but there. They've known each other the longest and thus the connection. But, those final scenes - after Connor bests Angel in a fight and prepares his revenge with the help of Justine, and with Cordelia not making it to their get-together in time because of the return of Skip and his telling her that it is time for her to move on to the next level. Powerful stuff here. As she rises to the heavens, Angel is sinking to the depths of the ocean in a most horrid deathtrap for an immortal. Very striking visuals, played so well against one another. What a cliffhanger for season 3. I am so glad I don't have to wait the months the viewers did to continue the story. That would have been so painful.
All in all, an outstanding season. The cast has gelled quite nicely and the storylines have been hitting on all cylinders.
*** SPOILERS ***
A20: A New World (written by Jefrey Bell, airdate 5/6/02)
A21: Benediction (written by Tim Minear, airdate 5/13/02)
A22: Tomorrow (written by David Greenwalt, airdate 5/20/02)
These final three episodes really are the arc that deals with the return of Connor and how the ramifications effect Angel and the team. We've already had the alienation of Wesley due to the perceived betrayal that lead to Holtz taking the baby. Now, Connor is back - a grown teenager - and hell-bent on taking revenge on a man he was raised to hate. The fact that the boy fights as well and so similarly as his biological father drives home the point of how much the two are alike despite the fact that they've been apart so long (okay, three weeks from Angel's view, sixteen years from Connor's).
Great stuff between Lilah and Wesley as she tries to woo him over to Wolfram and Hart. W&H meanwhile isn't satisfied with things and makes an attempt of their own to get the returned young man. All that stuff worked for me.
What didn't work was a lot of episode 20 with Connor and the drug dealer and the junkie. I just felt a lot bored with some of that one. Maybe it was, in part, the quick-fix of returning the boy to the fold all grown up. Kind of reminded me of what old sitcoms used to do with quick aging of younger siblings between seasons from infants to adorable kids. Sure, this show had the built in "time passes differently in some hell-dimensions", as evidenced from the episode "Anne" back on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Still, it just kind of mared a good bit of episode 20 for me.
That is, until Holtz is revealed to be back too. He brings about a totally different thing. His complex view at justice and vengeance is played out so well in episode 21. And we get Justine back to play a part in it, with all her mix of emotions for Holtz that were left behind when he split with the child to his sudden return, etc. What he has her do in the end - all in the name of using "love" to hurt Angel is just so amazingly twisted. Loved it.
Of course, episode 22 is all about the fall-out. Groo decides it is finally time to get out of the way as he realizes how much Cordy cares for Angel. What a noble guy. Loren, too, feels the need to move on - most likely in part due to Connor's extreme reaction to his being a demon. He cared for that infant so much and clearly was so hurt by it. I am certain he'll be back - love the character too much for him to be gone. Wesley, meanwhile, is tired of Lilah's head-games as she is really starting to get to him - but is sex with her really the answer? It just goes to show how far Wes is falling, how dark his character is turning based on his actions. This is nice to see though as it is an aspect of the character we haven't had yet. Look forward to more of that.
And, lastly, the love between Angel and Cordelia. It has been building progressively over the seasons - unspoken but there. They've known each other the longest and thus the connection. But, those final scenes - after Connor bests Angel in a fight and prepares his revenge with the help of Justine, and with Cordelia not making it to their get-together in time because of the return of Skip and his telling her that it is time for her to move on to the next level. Powerful stuff here. As she rises to the heavens, Angel is sinking to the depths of the ocean in a most horrid deathtrap for an immortal. Very striking visuals, played so well against one another. What a cliffhanger for season 3. I am so glad I don't have to wait the months the viewers did to continue the story. That would have been so painful.
All in all, an outstanding season. The cast has gelled quite nicely and the storylines have been hitting on all cylinders.
Comics of the Week (7/22/09)
This week's books all brought to me by the writing talent of Geoff Johns...
Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds #5 (of 5) - this big event finally ends with this issue, with always gorgeous George Perez artwork. That means lots of details and lots of huge group scenes. This issue clearly sets the ground work for the upcoming Adventure Comics book which Johns is writing and the LSH will have a feature. The ending with the "final" fate for Superboy-Prime was a little weird but okay - leaves it open for the future I guess.
Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps #1 and #2 (of 3) - the first issue came out last week but I didn't snag it. Glad I got these two. If you are a Green Lantern fan, you need to pick these up. It is giving some nice short tales of key players in the Blackest Night big event. Issue 1 has the origin of St. Walker, a focus on Mongul and the introduction of the Indigo Tribe. Issue 2 gives the origin of Bleez, a Red Lantern, as well as a look at Carol Ferris (of the Star Sapphires). The covers of all three issues are interlocking. Nice.
Green Lantern #44 - this issue picks up directly from last week's Blackest Night #1 with Hal and Barry having to face the newly Black-Lanterned J'Onn J'Onzz. Some great characterization on all three of these key Silver Age characters. I really enjoy how Johns is able to take his time and explore the depth of this epic event, not rushing through it like Final Crisis seemed to do.
Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds #5 (of 5) - this big event finally ends with this issue, with always gorgeous George Perez artwork. That means lots of details and lots of huge group scenes. This issue clearly sets the ground work for the upcoming Adventure Comics book which Johns is writing and the LSH will have a feature. The ending with the "final" fate for Superboy-Prime was a little weird but okay - leaves it open for the future I guess.
Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps #1 and #2 (of 3) - the first issue came out last week but I didn't snag it. Glad I got these two. If you are a Green Lantern fan, you need to pick these up. It is giving some nice short tales of key players in the Blackest Night big event. Issue 1 has the origin of St. Walker, a focus on Mongul and the introduction of the Indigo Tribe. Issue 2 gives the origin of Bleez, a Red Lantern, as well as a look at Carol Ferris (of the Star Sapphires). The covers of all three issues are interlocking. Nice.
Green Lantern #44 - this issue picks up directly from last week's Blackest Night #1 with Hal and Barry having to face the newly Black-Lanterned J'Onn J'Onzz. Some great characterization on all three of these key Silver Age characters. I really enjoy how Johns is able to take his time and explore the depth of this epic event, not rushing through it like Final Crisis seemed to do.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
DVD review - Buffy season 6 episode 20, 21 and 22
Concluding my viewing and reviewing of Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 6...
*** SPOILERS ***
A6-20: Villains (written by Marti Noxon, airdate 5/14/02)
A6-21: Two To Go (written by Douglas Petrie, airdate 5/21/02)
A6-22: Grave (written by David Fury, airdate 5/21/02)
A trio of long time Buffyverse writers are on board for the final act of the season, and what an act! Wasting no time going from last episode, it all spins quickly out of control. Tara is dead (and how tragic is it that Dawn has to find her and cannot leave until Buffy arrives?). Buffy is critical and Xander stands by her side. Willow is juiced up after absorbing all the dark magic text (very cool effect) and then goes to save Buffy while she still can. Warren, meanwhile, realizes his goose is now cooked (he is a laughing stock of the demon bar - with good reason) and is on the run. But he can't run fast enough or far enough. Willow has her revenge in a way that is almost fitting justice for all Warren has done this season and how he has done it. But Buffy is right - they don't kill humans and the human world has its own rules. Willow has crossed the line, and she is not through yet!
Anya tries to warn everyone of the coming of Willow to the jail to seek revenge on Andrew and Jonathan (who still fight with one another despite the gravity of their situation). And, boy, does Willow tear the jail house down! Buffy and Xander manage to get the boys away only to have Willow control a truck to run them down (okay, that was just a bit weird on the visuals - very comic booky). But she needs power so where does she go? Yup, the same place Dawn convince Clem to take her - to Rack's. But Willow gets there first, and she gets a little payback to him for earlier in the season. Then she threatens Dawn (going way too far there, Will...). Meanwhile, Anya and Xander seem to be making a little amends as they talk at the shop - as Xander realizes how useless he has been of late and how, he feels, all of this is his fault. Good set up for later. Big fight when Willow shows up as the shop gets trashed. It looks like it is over when Buffy and Willow go toe-to-toe and Willow can take it all. Time for the cavalry - the British cavalry.
Yeah, Giles. Hopped up on borrowed power from the Coven, he shows that he still cares and wants to help the kids do right. But, rule 101 of fighting a big-bad - never, ever take a relaxing break. Finish the job and keep an eye on your enemy. Poor Anya gets dooped by Willow's mind mojo and we're back to square one. Buffy has to go save the guys, Xander and Dawn - leaving Willow free and clear to take Giles' power (which he wanted all along - which is why he is the clever one). Dawn and Buffy end up in a deep grave, fighting for their lives - but this time side-by-side. Don't mess with the Summers sisters! But how can Buffy save the day from a hole? She can't. Willow is stopped by the last person one would expect - one only armed with courage and love - Xander. Man, that was moving for me. Great scene. Friendship and love were the key to get us beyond this dark place. Yeah! Let's get back to the norm. Oh, wait...can't. Spike has gone through many trials to earn what he thinks he should have to give the Slayer what she has got coming to her. Surprise, Spike. That guy you went to thinks she needs you to have a soul again. Good luck with that! :)
*** SPOILERS ***
A6-20: Villains (written by Marti Noxon, airdate 5/14/02)
A6-21: Two To Go (written by Douglas Petrie, airdate 5/21/02)
A6-22: Grave (written by David Fury, airdate 5/21/02)
A trio of long time Buffyverse writers are on board for the final act of the season, and what an act! Wasting no time going from last episode, it all spins quickly out of control. Tara is dead (and how tragic is it that Dawn has to find her and cannot leave until Buffy arrives?). Buffy is critical and Xander stands by her side. Willow is juiced up after absorbing all the dark magic text (very cool effect) and then goes to save Buffy while she still can. Warren, meanwhile, realizes his goose is now cooked (he is a laughing stock of the demon bar - with good reason) and is on the run. But he can't run fast enough or far enough. Willow has her revenge in a way that is almost fitting justice for all Warren has done this season and how he has done it. But Buffy is right - they don't kill humans and the human world has its own rules. Willow has crossed the line, and she is not through yet!
Anya tries to warn everyone of the coming of Willow to the jail to seek revenge on Andrew and Jonathan (who still fight with one another despite the gravity of their situation). And, boy, does Willow tear the jail house down! Buffy and Xander manage to get the boys away only to have Willow control a truck to run them down (okay, that was just a bit weird on the visuals - very comic booky). But she needs power so where does she go? Yup, the same place Dawn convince Clem to take her - to Rack's. But Willow gets there first, and she gets a little payback to him for earlier in the season. Then she threatens Dawn (going way too far there, Will...). Meanwhile, Anya and Xander seem to be making a little amends as they talk at the shop - as Xander realizes how useless he has been of late and how, he feels, all of this is his fault. Good set up for later. Big fight when Willow shows up as the shop gets trashed. It looks like it is over when Buffy and Willow go toe-to-toe and Willow can take it all. Time for the cavalry - the British cavalry.
Yeah, Giles. Hopped up on borrowed power from the Coven, he shows that he still cares and wants to help the kids do right. But, rule 101 of fighting a big-bad - never, ever take a relaxing break. Finish the job and keep an eye on your enemy. Poor Anya gets dooped by Willow's mind mojo and we're back to square one. Buffy has to go save the guys, Xander and Dawn - leaving Willow free and clear to take Giles' power (which he wanted all along - which is why he is the clever one). Dawn and Buffy end up in a deep grave, fighting for their lives - but this time side-by-side. Don't mess with the Summers sisters! But how can Buffy save the day from a hole? She can't. Willow is stopped by the last person one would expect - one only armed with courage and love - Xander. Man, that was moving for me. Great scene. Friendship and love were the key to get us beyond this dark place. Yeah! Let's get back to the norm. Oh, wait...can't. Spike has gone through many trials to earn what he thinks he should have to give the Slayer what she has got coming to her. Surprise, Spike. That guy you went to thinks she needs you to have a soul again. Good luck with that! :)
Friday, July 17, 2009
Comics of the Week (7/15/09)
Blackest Night #1 (of 8) - WOW! This first issue was a great kick off to this big event. Johns and Reis deliver the goods as the day of rememberance of the departed heroes turns into the beginning of a nightmare. When they said the dead would rise, they weren't kidding! Given all the heroes who have died in the past 25 years or so just since the Crisis, this could make for an event that will hit all the major franchises. Looking forward to more.
Brave and the Bold #25 - the team ups with the Milestone heroes continues - this time with Hardware meeting the new Blue Beetle. I wasn't majorly impressed by the issue - it was okay. I never was a huge Hardware fan. Ah well.
R.E.B.E.L.S. #6 - the cosmic conflict with Starro continues, and no alien world is safe. Vril Dox again shows why he's known as a ruthless leader when he and his rag-tag team put a bit halt to Starro's campaign. That won't bode well. Enjoying this title a lot.
Brave and the Bold #25 - the team ups with the Milestone heroes continues - this time with Hardware meeting the new Blue Beetle. I wasn't majorly impressed by the issue - it was okay. I never was a huge Hardware fan. Ah well.
R.E.B.E.L.S. #6 - the cosmic conflict with Starro continues, and no alien world is safe. Vril Dox again shows why he's known as a ruthless leader when he and his rag-tag team put a bit halt to Starro's campaign. That won't bode well. Enjoying this title a lot.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
DVD review - Angel season 3 / Buffy season 6 episode 19
Continuing my viewing and reviewing of Angel season 3 and Buffy the Vampire Slayer season 6...
*** SPOILERS ***
A3-19: The Price (written by David Fury, airdate 4/29/02)
Eeeewwww! Those translucent creepy-crawlies gave me the willies. And, man, talk about seriously deadly. Dark magic has a price and this one is nasty. I really enjoyed this episode a lot - especially that it brought back that whole creepy, terror kind of theme for an episode. Lots of great interplay with all the regulars. And even Lilah and Gavin got into some with their own one-upping each other. Of course, the ending was the shocker icing - "hi, Dad"???? Yowch.
B-19: Seeing Red (written by Steven S. DeKnight, airdate 5/7/02)
Lots of character interplay here too. Willow and Tara back together. Dawn ecstatic about it. Anya unable to focus on vengeance for others. And lots of needed talks - Dawn with Spike, Buffy with Xander, Spike with Buffy (though I could have done without the rape attempt), Spike with Clem, and of course Buffy finally facing the Trio. Nice of Jonathan to show his true side by tipping Buffy off, and Andrew showing his totally weenie-ness when his jet pack failed. Xander and Buffy make good as friends, but Warren isn't through yet. Damn! Another shocker ending. Two for two. Side note: Warren's stunt double is very obvious in the fight scene between he and Buffy. So obvious that it almost threw me out of the episode.
*** SPOILERS ***
A3-19: The Price (written by David Fury, airdate 4/29/02)
Eeeewwww! Those translucent creepy-crawlies gave me the willies. And, man, talk about seriously deadly. Dark magic has a price and this one is nasty. I really enjoyed this episode a lot - especially that it brought back that whole creepy, terror kind of theme for an episode. Lots of great interplay with all the regulars. And even Lilah and Gavin got into some with their own one-upping each other. Of course, the ending was the shocker icing - "hi, Dad"???? Yowch.
B-19: Seeing Red (written by Steven S. DeKnight, airdate 5/7/02)
Lots of character interplay here too. Willow and Tara back together. Dawn ecstatic about it. Anya unable to focus on vengeance for others. And lots of needed talks - Dawn with Spike, Buffy with Xander, Spike with Buffy (though I could have done without the rape attempt), Spike with Clem, and of course Buffy finally facing the Trio. Nice of Jonathan to show his true side by tipping Buffy off, and Andrew showing his totally weenie-ness when his jet pack failed. Xander and Buffy make good as friends, but Warren isn't through yet. Damn! Another shocker ending. Two for two. Side note: Warren's stunt double is very obvious in the fight scene between he and Buffy. So obvious that it almost threw me out of the episode.
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