Category Archives: Reviews

Hench-Sized Comic Book Reviews – 7/16/16

It is a dark day in comics, my friends. But not in the way Marvel probably wants me to think. But I’m not sure I have any idea what Marvel is thinking anymore. I don’t know what drives them. Is it sales? Is it controversy? Is it headlines? Because it’s definitely not storytelling, not anymore.

Civil War II #3 kind of breaks me. But not due to the story or the art. Not even due to the power behind the twist. It breaks me in that I just don’t know why I should care anymore…

Fortunately, this wee also brings us an excellent new issue of Power Man and Iron Fist, and I’m reminded why I care again. Hooray Comic Book of the Week!

Don’t forget Wolverine!

Somebody at Marvel is doing something good. I’m gonna stick with that part of Marvel.

Comic Reviews: Civil War II #3, Detective Comics #936, Lumberjanes/Gotham Academy #2, Nightwing Rebirth #1, Power Man and Iron Fist #6, and Wonder Woman #2.

Read the rest of this entry

Movie Review: Ghostbusters

I ain’t afraid of no classic movie remake starring an all-female cast! Despite the legions of angry Internet trolls crying out against this movie, I have had zero qualms about seeing the new Ghostbusters and taking it at face value. I was a huge fan of both original movies, and an even bigger fan of The Real Ghostbusters cartoon series (and toys!), but I wasn’t someone chomping at the bit for a Ghostbusters 3 or anything of the like.

Still, someone went and made this new movie, I was happy to go see it, and I really enjoyed myself.

Movie Rating: 8/10 – Very Good.

The new Ghostbusters is a fun and quite funny movie. A lot of the jokes are pretty great, though there are always some duds. The main characters are all outstanding, with a great camaraderie and team style. Once the action starts to kick in, I think the movie goes a little bit too far off the rails for my tastes, but it’s still overall enjoyable. I’ve got some individual nitpicks here and there, but I’ll get to them later.

The main thing to know about the new Ghostbusters is that it trades in the original film’s down-to-Earth realism for a more cartoony, action-focused style. Not to say it’s a cartoon come to life, but this movie can get pretty silly. Personally, the realism is what makes the original Ghostbusters such a classic, on a number of different levels. So I was a little disappointed that this new movie went for the cray cray vibe. But it worked in its own way, and that’s good enough.

Also, I may get tarred and feathered for saying this, but Bill Murray was the worst part of this movie.

Join me after the jump for the full review! There will be FULL SPOILERS.

Read the rest of this entry

Hench-Sized Comic Book Reviews – 7/9/16

Wow, so, uh, for the first time in the history of my doing this blog, I forgot to post these comic book reviews this morning. I had them all written up and almost ready to go, but I woke up Saturday morning and thought to myself…nothing. I forgot all about them. Then I downloaded Pokemon Go and went for a walk around the city. Well, you understand what that would have done to me. Still, not an excuse! These are super late, and I hope they’re still good!

I tried out Kim & Kim from Black Mask Studios. I read through both Amazing Spider-Man and adjectiveless Spider-Woman. And I even gave both Batman and Punisher a try. Pretty standard week of comics, if I do say so myself.

Comic Book of the Week goes to Silver Surfer #5, because it is still a very delightful comic book.

In this issue, Silver Surfer meets the Amish

Comic Reviews: Amazing Spider-Man #15, Batman #2, Invincible Iron Man #11, Kaijumax #3, Kim & Kim #1, Punisher #3, Silver Surfer #5 and Spider-Woman #9.

Read the rest of this entry

Hench-Sized Comic Book Reviews – 7/2/16

Happy Fourth of July Weekend, fellow American hench-people! Here in America, we celebrate with picnics and blowing stuff up. And apparently a Captain America comic that got a lot of people riled up last month! That seems like a solid way to celebrate America’s birthday. Comics are a good way to celebrate anything!

Though I’m sad to say I had a busy week at work, so I didn’t get to as many comics as I normally like. I read a good pile, though. There were some gems, and some duds. And I’m really, really sorry to say that I’m just not gelling with the new Black Panther series. I want to support any attempt to diversify a comic book line, but the series is just going way over my head. It’s a fine comic, but it’s just not for me, sad to say.

Not that the rest of these are all that great either…though I did enjoy one last romp with Grayson. Comic Book of the Week by a long shot.

Dick Grayson and Harley Quinn need to team up more often

It’s just an Annual issue, though, so what does it really matter? Hopefuly the Rebirthed Nightwing will be even half as good as Grayson.

Comic Reviews: Captain America – Steve Rogers #2, Captain Marvel #6, Grayson Annual #3 and Spider-Man #5.

Read the rest of this entry

Comic Review: Teen Titans Annual #2

I am a huge fan of hyperbole. It makes everything better. So believe me when I say this is probably Scott Lobdell’s finest Teen Titans comic in the entire New 52 era. I’m not entirely sure why Teen Titans gets an Annual issue on this Fifth Wednesday with a total status quo change right around the corner, but whatever. I can go with the flow. I don’t mind reading new comics, especially when they’re this solid. I daresay, Teen Titans should have been like this all along.

Comic Rating: 7/10 – Good.

Teen Titans Annual #2 gets to be Lobdell’s finest Titans issue for a few simple reasons: there’s an extended sequence of the Titans hanging out as civilians, the super-villain actually ties into an earlier comic that I liked, and there was some legitimate characterization and development. This issue isn’t about to break the mold or convince DC to not Rebirth Teen Titans, nor is it going to make me forget the past few years of crumminess. But considering we’re just killing time until Rebirth, it’s nice that Lobdell gets another chance to go out on a high note.

Honestly, I had completely forgotten about the unresolved plot thread in this issue. The Annual picks up from the encounter with Professor Pyg way back in December in Teen Titans #15. I liked that issue, and I like this one. That’s probably the best we can hope for with the Teen Titans, for now.

Join me after the jump for the full synopsis and more review!

Read the rest of this entry