Category Archives: Reviews
Review: Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice
I’m not really sure what I think about Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. I can’t bring myself to say it’s a bad movie, because it’s competently made and sometimes enjoyable. But I can’t bring myself to say it’s a good movie, because it’s utterly joyless and, at times, terribly made. Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice is the Transformers of superhero movies. It’s a big, CGI mess of darkness and explosions, but sometimes it’s fun seeing these characters on screen, and it’s going to make all the money.
Movie Rating: 5/10 – Alright.
At the very least, it’s kind of cool to see these superheroes on the big screen together. Part of me did get excited to see Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman standing together against adversity (even if we’d already seen it in the trailers). But another part of me wished the movie was more fun. BvS is a dark, drab, gritty production that puts even the Christopher Nolan Batman movies to shame. This film is the exact opposite of the successful and wonderful Marvel movies. There’s no charm, no joy, no heroics and, most important, no fun.
Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice is the grimdark superhero trend taken to its ultimate conclusion. If you like your superheroes as grimdark and serious as possible, this might be the movie for you. But I would have liked something more enjoyable.
Join me after the jump for the full review and lots of SPOILERS.
Hench-Sized Comic Book Reviews – 3/26/16
So what did everybody think of Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice? Is the DC Cinematic Universe off to a good start? I will be seeing the movie tonight, and my review will go up early next week. I’m a little worried, since I didn’t care for Man of Steel. But I’m going to keep an open mind.
Fortunately, comics were a blast this week! We’ve got new Patsy Walker, which is always a cause for celebration. As would be the new issue of Grayson, but unfortunately, something has gone horribly wrong! Read on to find out what.
Comic Book of the Week goes to Batman #50, the big climax of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s time on the title! The energy and excitement of this issue easily cast aside my various minor hang-ups with Snyder’s Batman. This is a solid, exciting issue.
Batman is a fashion maven
Speaking of solid, exciting issues, my new Kickstarter is only one week away! Next Saturday we will launch the next fundraising campaign for Gamer Girl & Vixen! I hope I can count on you henchies to lend your support and order my comic!
And if you haven’t had a chance yet, you can read the entire first issue for free! You’re welcome to take my word for it that it’s good, but you can also see for yourself.
Comic Reviews: Batman #50, Grayson #18, Harley Quinn #26, Patsy Walker a.k.a. Hellcat #4, Totally Awesome Hulk #4 and We Are Robin #10.
Review: Teen Titans #18
Rebirth is on its way, folks. In a few short months, DC Comics is going to kick off their next big thingamajig, and current comics are feeling the pinch. We don’t know what’s going to happen to the Teen Titans, who’s going to write it, who’s going to draw it, or what it’s going to be about. But for now, writer Greg Pak is cruising along with a fun little story about Wonder Girl’s origins. I enjoyed the last issue for its upbeat character work and interesting story. Teen Titans #18 continues the trend, though the issue is kind of light and breezy.
But I can live with light and breezy when it comes to a new Teen Titans.
Comic Rating: 7/10 – Good.
I have no real complaints about this issue, none that matter anyway. It’s fun, simple and pretty straight forward. It calls back to the brilliant Wonder Woman run by Brian Azzarello, which is neat. It contains the first ever team up of Wonder Woman and Tim Drake in the New 52, which I personally found kind of annoying, and I’ll explain why later. At times, I felt like Pak didn’t necessarily know what to do with all of the Titans. This is a Wonder Girl story, first and foremost, but I guess Pak can’t just ignore the rest of them. That kind of means he doesn’t find as many great character moments, like he did with the last issue, but it’s not a big deal.
Honestly, I feel so mellow about this issue, that I’m starting to wonder if I was too harsh with my previous reviews. Or if I’m being too lenient with Greg Pak. This is just a fine little comic, neither great nor terrible. Teen Titans feels like it’s biding its time until Rebirth, but at least Pak and artist Ian Churchill (with an assist by Tom Derenick) are making the most of it.
Join me after the jump for the full synopsis and more review.
6 Thoughts on the Second Season of Daredevil
Like many comic book fans, I spent this past weekend binge-watching the new season of Daredevil. Once again, Marvel dominates entertainment. This show is everything we comic fans could possibly want from a Daredevil adaptation. It’s dark, it’s gritty, it’s charming, it’s exciting; this is damn fine television, and fits perfectly with the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Season Rating: 9/10 – Great.
I also love the Netflix delivery system. I like being able to binge-watch an entire season in a few sittings, getting the whole story in one big go, rather than waiting week to week. It keeps me in the moment, it allows the writers to really dig deep into the material, and create a big tapestry of a story. I loved almost every episode, I loved every storyline, the new characters were great; Daredevil Season 2 was another huge success for Marvel!
Join me after the jump to hear my specific thoughts on the season. There will be MAJOR SPOILERS for the whole season, so read at your own risk.
Hench-Sized Comic Book Reviews – 3/19/16
This was another great week for comics! I am loving so many books these days. Most of them are Marvel, but I’m really trying to branch out into other comics. But those other comics are going to have to wait, because this week it’s all about great Marvel Comics!
For the first time ever, I’m splitting Comic Book of the Week between two issues: Power Man and Iron Fist #2 and Spider-Woman #5. Both were amazing comics, and both offered a new revelation to me: a lived in, casual Marvel Universe. Both comics tell a very down-to-Earth story about their characters and the hero and villain-populated city they live in, with gossip, friendships, dance clubs and more. Both issues were a true joy to read.
I’m loving the reasonable collars
David Walker and Sanford Greene’s Power Man and Iron Fist is already shaping up as the Comic Book of the Year, and we’re only two issues in.
Comic Reviews: Astonishing Ant-Man #6, Captain Marvel #3, Power Man and Iron Fist #2, Silk #6 and Spider-Woman #5.
