Category Archives: Comics
Thunder and Lightning and Amethyst!
The DC Nation animation block is back, and with it come the adorable mini short cartoons. One of them is a cartoon about Thunder and Lightning, the children of superhero Black Lightning. It’s pretty neat…but unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find a good copy. Still, it’s a lazy Sunday, and I wanted to share it with you guys, so here’s a crummy copy that somebody filmed on their TV! You can thank me later.
Or thank me never. Your choice.
In better news, the clip for Amethyst: Princess of Gemworld is even better! I love the video game aspects of this cartoon. Fun way to portray Gemworld.
You can definitely thank me for that one.
Hench-Sized Comic Book Reviews – 1/5/13
The first week of 2013 gives us a nice smattering of new comics from Marvel and DC. We’ve got some big titles like All-New X-Men and the launch of the new New Avengers, along with some smaller books like Talon and Red Lanterns. It’s also a bit easier on my wallet after the holidays. Not that I wouldn’t put off crucial fixes to my car in order to buy my weekly comic stack or anything. Though if I’m being honest, there were a lot of things that really annoyed me about this week’s comics. Everything from the treatment of Cyclops in All-New X-Men to the introduction of Alfred the cat in Batman Incorporated. I think Grant Morrison is picking on us.
But I was most definitely not annoyed with the new issue of Talon, which earns Comic Book of the Week with a delightful issue!
Oh, that Talon
Not bad for the fledgling series. Though there was not much competition, if I’m still being honest.
Comic Reviews: All-New X-Men #5, Batman Incorporated #6, New Avengers #1, Red Lanterns #15, Talon #3.
Review: Teen Titans #15
I am torn by this new issue of Teen Titans. On the one hand, it’s an entertaining comic with a really good focus on the team leaving their comfort zone to go on a group mission, kind of like going on a field trip. On the other hand, it’s the worst Death of the Family tie-in yet. And it adds to my growing hatred of the Joker’s omnipotence. Apparently while plotting the attack on Batman and the Bat-family, the Joker took the time to research all of the Teen Titans and construct an elaborate trap for them, which the Titans trigger exactly how the Joker predicted! He even drew the diagram on a chalkboard.
Teen Titans #15
So apparently people like Bunker and Wonder Girl factor into Joker’s big plan to get Batman, and the Clown Prince of Crime can accurately predict the actions and movements of Kid Flash. At least we get some solid Tim Drake moments.
Comic rating: 3/5: Alright.
This is not a bad comic as far as the Teen Titans are concerned. Finally, at long last, I really got the sense that they were a team that existed in the greater DCnU. Not completely, mind you. But I really got a strong feeling that Tim Drake’s motley crew of teenage superheroes might be the real deal. There are many ways that the DC reboot utterly failed to build a cohesive universe, with the Teen Titans towards the top of that list, but I really liked how the team came off in this issue. They’re done with the internal fighting and the silly N.O.W.H.E.R.E. stuff, and now it’s finally time to let them be a real superhero team responding to real problems. So at least that was spot on.
But oh lord, this issue is terrible when it comes to the Joker.
It makes sense that the Joker would attack each of Batman’s sidekicks individually, because that’s his whole scheme, to take them out in order to make Batman stronger. But the tie-in writers are really coming up with some stupidly elaborate plots to make this happen. Not to mention the question of how it is that the Joker is able to attend to each of these traps seemingly simultaneously? Especially when most of them rely on extreme guess work.
Damian found the Joker in Batman and Robin by discovering traces of hyena urine at Wayne Manor. So Joker is at the zoo waiting for him. Nightwing found the Joker in a warehouse in his own comic by analyzing the Joker venom that killed his friend. So Joker was at that warehouse waiting for him. Joker was also at Izabel’s apartment in order to kidnap Jason Todd in Red Hood and the Outlaws. And Joker is now out and about ready to kidnap and taunt an imprisoned Tim Drake. And somehow the Joker found time to predict exactly where Kid Flash would go looking for him, and plant a trap specifically designed for Kid Flash.
How is the Joker doing all of this!? And all at the same time? It’s getting ridiculous. Especially when an issue like this has very little to nothing to do with the overall Death of the Family story. Anyone who bought this issue just because of the tie-in will be disappointed. Especially since guest writer Fabian Nicieza just doesn’t do this new Joker any justice, not as much as the other writers on this crossover, at least.
Join me after the jump for a fully synopsis and more review!
Hench-Sized Comic Book Reviews – 12/29/12
After last week’s tsunami of comics, both Marvel and DC decided to take it easy during Christmas. Marvel has only delivered The Amazing Spider-Man #700 (and a side issue that I didn’t read), while DC only put out Justice League and Aquaman, kicking off their big Throne of Atlantis storyline. So I’m definitely excited to say that this week’s comics were all pretty damn awesome. I’ve already written at length about my reaction to the big revelation in The Amazing Spider-Man #700, so now I’m just going to review the comic itself – which earns the coveted Comic Book of the Week!
Not that Aquaman and the gang over at DC Comics don’t have some fun this week too.
Comic Reviews: Amazing Spider-Man #700, Justice League #15, and Aquaman #15.
WARNING: Full SPOILERS to follow!
Review: Ultimate Comics: All-New Spider-Man #18
Miles Morales doesn’t usually have a lot of inner narration, but this issue is chock full of it, and it definitely makes for a more engaging story. Not a lot happens plot-wise, and Miles being lost in the fields of Wisconsin is fixed rather easily, but it’s still a very fun and fulfilling story. It’s fun to read Miles working out his problems in his head. He’s a smart kid with a strong personality, and his inner commentary elevated a somewhat simple story. Throw in a few emotional moments with Spider-Woman and Miles’ parents and you’ve got a real winner.
Ultimate Spider-Man #18
When ‘Divided We Fall/United We Stand’ started, I didn’t think Brian Michael Bendis had any interest in crossing over. But now that the story is finally done, I’m happy with what Bendis did to help flesh out Miles and his family.
Comic rating: 5/5: Great.
Ultimate Spider-Woman has always been a very fascinating character, and I wish I was reading Ultimates so that I could see more of her in action. She’s a great foil for Miles Morales, and their scenes together in this issue – especially in light of her attitude last issue – were fantastic. We, the reader, know exactly why Jessica Drew is so awkward around Miles Morales, but he’s clueless, and it leads to a really nice scene between the two. Likewise, Miles’ parents get a standout scene as Jefferson fills us in on what happened with the HYDRA terrorists. I was definitely surprised by the reveal, and I’m excited to see what it does for his character. I’ve always felt Bendis has been a little lacking when it comes to Miles’ relationship with his parents and how they impact his life. I hope this is the start of some good stories.
And it’s Miles Morales himself who carries the comic, with a running internal commentary like Peter Parker used to do. Miles is definitely a different person than Peter, but he’s still got that desire to be heroic, and that’s always relatable. I also like that Miles isn’t quip-a-minute, but still kind of funny. And Bendis finds a lot of humor and cool action in Miles’ fight this issue – with artist David Marquez drawing the hell out of this issue! The art is absolutely perfect, making for an even better comic.
Join me after the jump for a full synopsis and more review.
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