Review: Teen Titans #29

I am as surprised as anybody to declare that Teen Titans #29 ain’t half bad. Actually, maybe that’s going a little too easy on it. Let’s just say that Teen Titans #29 is not the train wreck that most issues have been. It helps that nobody does anything else stupid in this issue. Possibly because the story is about everyone reacting to all the stupid things they did in the last issue – and boy, those were some stupid things. Instead, Teen Titans does what I’ve always wanted it to do: slow down and treat these characters like real people who have real conversations and real lives. That these conversations and lives occur a thousand years in the future in the middle of some weirdly pro-Evil Empire war is just the price one must pay for still reading Teen Titans.

Teen Titans #29

I have little doubt that the latest issue of this unfortunate series is just the calm before the inevitable crapfest that will be the return of Harvest. I do not expect the final two issues to be anything other than painful, but at least writer Scott Lobdell gave us a brief moment of ‘not-so-terrible’-ness.

Comic Rating: 4/10 – Pretty Bad.

The primary reason that Teen Titans #29 isn’t as bad as the other most recent issues is that all of Lobdell’s worst writing traits are gone. There are no insufferable blocks of stilted exposition. The only editor’s note referring to another comic is referring to only the previous issue. There are no random, one page ‘teases’ for some future villain. And if you were in any way upset with his characterizations and bastardizations of beloved heroes, then there’s some bittersweet good news: he wipes them off the table in this issue. Evil Superboy, for example, doesn’t even show up. I have no idea what’s happening in his solo series, but we here in Teen Titans get one throwaway line about his whereabouts and that’s it! We don’t have to deal with his horrible inner monologues about needing to find a cure! Good riddance, I say.

Of course, I still feel bad for any fans of Bart Allen. To think there were Wally West fans who were upset that he didn’t get to appear in the New 52 when it started. Man, you got nothing on Bart Allen fans. I wouldn’t be surprised if we never see him again. There’s no last minute save. No change of fortune. Lobdell kicks him to the curb along with Solstice. I would feel bad for any Solstice fans, but really, are there any? She’s gone too. And yes, she totally killed that judge at the end of last issue.

I wonder if Teen Titan‘s imminent cancellation led to Lobdell’s deck cleaning in this issue, or did he always plan on ditching Kid Flash, Solstice and Superboy as awkwardly and as brutally as possible?

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

 

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More Simpsons LEGOs – I Never Thought I’d See the Day

The only appropriate word is ‘SQUEE!’.

Simpsons Lego Figs

Just look at those beauties. You can check out a gallery of each individual one at Gizmodo. They each get a little accessory! It’s adorable! I’m having to wipe up some drool over here! They’re gorgeous! They’re works of art! They are probably more expensive than I could ever afford. They’re apparently $4 a piece and will be ready in time for the all-LEGO episode of the Simpsons in May.

Some days I am truly amazed that we get to live in this world.

6 Things I Want to See on Gotham

As hesitant as I may be to embrace the new Gotham TV show on FOX, I can still admit that it could be an amazing show. Gotham will be loosely based on Gotham Central, one of my favorite comic book series of all time, and one I have been praising as a potential TV adaptation from the very beginning. Any true Batman fan will tell you that Batman is only as cool as he is because of the world in which he inhabits, and Gotham City is one of the greatest settings in all of fiction.

The potential for Gotham to be a great show is through the roof!

In theory.

At least they got the logo sort-of right

The producers and writers could still mess it up big time. Weren’t we all giggling with glee at the potential behind Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.? That show is only mostly OK more than halfway through it first season, when we all expected it to be Firefly reborn (or at least I did). Gotham could go either way. Brilliant or bupkis. Glorious or garbage. Well if the good people at FOX want Gotham to be a success, they should take my phone calls and listen to the 6 things I want to see in the show!

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Literal Titanfall Trailer

Anybody playing Titanfall? I want to, but I sadly don’t think my computer specs are up to snuff anymore for new games. I need to get an upgrade…an expensive upgrade! But I hear good things, and, of course, Tobuscus writes good songs.

Just When We Thought Quicksilver Might Look Normal

Listen, moviemakers of the world, Quicksilver’s white hair is not that important of a character trait! I know he has white/silver hair in the comics, but there’s nothing about his character, his powers or his potential stories that require the white/silver hair in live action adaptations. Especially when it looks ridiculous!

None of the above is intrinsic to a live action adaptation

We already know that Quicksilver in X-Men: Days of Future Past is going to look hideous.

But for a brief moment, we thought Quicksilver in Avengers: Age of Ultron would look pretty cool. Remember those concept art pieces that Marvel debuted next week?

Well some shutterbugs at the official filming in Italy have snapped some live action pictures of actors Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Elizabeth Olsen as Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch. Forget the Quicksilver concept art, because he looks nothing like the image, and instead looks really, really bogus. Mostly. I guess I still prefer this Avengers look to the X-Men version, but man, it’s harsh.

Click after the jump to see the SPOILER images.

 

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