Cowboys and Aliens

It begins with a cowboy waking up in the desert with no memory of who he is and ends with cowboys and Indians fighting aliens for gold. Yeah, you heard me, gold.

Although I enjoyed it, with a title like Cowboys and Aliens I expected the film to be a little zanier, goofier, and far more of a fun summer popcorn flick. What director Jon Favreau delivers is entertaining, at times, but it also feels unimaginative and uninspired.

After waking up in the desert without any memories, Jake Lonergan (Daniel Craig) makes his way to the nearest town. Almost immediately he gets into a tussle with the son (Paul Dano) of the town's wealthiest man (Harrison Ford), is thrown in jail for a train robbery, and shoots down a giant alien spacecraft with a strange metal bracelet attached to his arm. You know, just your everyday activities in the Old West.

Detective Comics #880

Splitting the story between the perspectives of both Batman and Commissioner Gordon, the latest episode gives us a Joker story that's not really a Joker story at all.

One issue away from the title's wrap-up before the massive DC reboot writer Scott Snyder continues the story he's been weaving for months and brings events full circle.

Someone has targeted the Gordon family using an old version of Joker venom. Batman is hot on the heels of the Clown Prince of Crime but discovers, perhaps too late, that the Joker isn't responsible for the attack on Barbara's mother or the imminent attack on Barbara herself.

I have mixed feelings with the art in the issue which is especially inconsistent with regards to both Batman and the Joker, but the story itself, including the reveal, works quite well. It looks like Detective Comics is one title DC plans to let go out with a bang.

[DC, $2.99]

Covert Affairs - Welcome to the Occupation

When seven oil executives are taken hostage in Mexico City, one of whom is a deep undercover CIA operative (Sonya Salomaa) on a time-sensitive mission, Annie (Piper Perabo) is sent down to assess the situation and provide intel for an extraction. Just to makes things a little more interesting, her team includes Joan (Kari Matchett) and Ben Mercer (Eion Bailey).

The Zack Morris and Dawson Leery Team-Up Episode

James Van Der Beek guest-stars on a very special episode of Franklin & Bash as Peter's (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) ex-girfriend's (Claire Coffee) current fiance. Why does he need a lawyer you ask? Seems he's been charged with soliciting a prostitute at his bachelor party. Oh that Dawson Leery, will he never learn? Good thing he's got Zack Morris to stand up for him in court!

White Collar - As You Were

A new case hits Jones (Sharif Atkins) close to home when a former friend (Jayson Williams) goes missing after sending him confidential information about the private security force he works for. Things don't get easier when Jones has to ask his friend's wife (Rochelle Aytes), a woman to whom he was once engaged, for help.

Reason #24 Why I Love DS9 - Duet

"What you call genocide, I call a day's work."
There are many reasons why I love Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and why it remains my favorite of the Star Trek franchise.

Reason #36: "Duet"

Like most shows the first season of Deep Space Nine had its ups and downs. With a new show, especially one with as large an ensemble as this one, it always takes a little while to work the kinks out. The fact that one of the show's best episodes took place during this first season makes it all the more special.

DC Retroactive: Batman - The 70's

As DC Comics looks forward to the future and it's 52 issue reboot of the DC Universe it also takes a look back with a series of one-shots featuring writers and artists returning the characters and stories they told in the 1970's, 1980's, and 1990's in an attempt to create new tales in the style of those eras.

The first of these Retoractive titles features Batman as Len Wein returns to the character. The story itself isn't great. I wasn't expecting a Joker story but I was hoping to get more than the Terrible Trio, but at least it gives me my favorite Batmobile and that old Batman title logo.

Tom Mandrake does a fair job in his artistic duties by given the issue the layout and feel of a 1970's Batman title. As with all the Retroactive issues this one also includes a bonus issue from the same period (Batman #307). It's overpriced and not nearly as good as I was hoping for (but still a damn shade better than pretty awful Flash Retroactive issue). Longtime fans of the character may want to pick this up, but others can give this one a pass (escpecially given the $5 price-tag). For Fans.

[DC, $4.99]

Daredevil #1

Marvel's latest reintroduction of Daredevil features the hero stopping a kidnapping by the Spot at a mobster wedding. Of course, our hero doesn't leave before kissing the bride.

The comic, much like Matt Murdock himself, is less successful at attempting to reintroduce Murdock's life now that everyone knows he's Daredevil even though he still denies it publicly. His response is nothing more than "Am not!" If the choice isn't to have Murdock embrace the public nature of his less-than-secret identity (as Tony Stark has) some form of retcon seems to be in order.

Although this gray area might provide plenty of ammo to help screw up Murdock's personal life and his role as a lawyer, his response being nothing more than a blanket denial isn't going to work for very long (nor should it).

The first issue is a good re-introduction to the character plopping the Murdock right back into his old life (even if it does skirt the consequences of Shadowland). Worth a look.

[Daredevil, $3.99]

Cinderella: Fables are Forever #6 (of 6)

The six-issue Fables mini-series concludes with a final confrontation between Cinderella and Dorothy Gale aboard a Zeppelin miles above the Deadly Desert.

We learn that though Dorothy (as a sociopathic mercenary) might be the more dangerous of the two, Cinderella knows how to outwit and opponent rather than just kill one. Cinderella proves there is a difference between a patriot and a mercenary (even if she does have to stoop to Dorothy's level to get her victory).

Up until this mini-series I've never been all that interested in the Fables universe, but writer Chris Roberson has delivered a strong series centered around the idea of Cinderella as a super-spy that's hard to not like.

Although I think it's a good that the series was limited to six issues, I wouldn't mind seeing Cinderella return (preferably without Dorothy) for a new adventure next year. Worth a look.

[Vertigo, $2.99]

Castle panel at Comic-Con

Although they were missing the lovely Stana Katic there was much to enjoy at the Castle panel at this year's Comic-Con including the fallout of last season's finale, a farewell to Ruben Santiago-Hudson (who left the show at the end of last season), the announcement of a GhostBusters-themed Halloween episode, Seamus Dever discussing having his wife play his fiancee on the show, the possibility of Fillion strring in Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, a discussion of who should play Castle's father, pranks on set, and an unexpected costume choice by Molly C. Quinn. Here's Part One, you can check out the rest after the jump.

Power Girl #26

There are many reasons to love this issue, including a great message to young female comic book readers which the entire story is centered around. Power Girl goes to speak at a convention, in front of fans of all ages dressed up their hero, and ends up relying on their help when one of the fans turns out to be an alien who abducts them all in an attempt to steal Kara's powers.

The story stands out its own and it's definitely worth a read, but I also want to spend time talking about the other takeaway from this issue which flies right in the face of DC's massive reboot scheduled for September. Over the past fourteen issues, since Judd Winick took over the writing duties, the character has not only become fun to read but relevant as well. And now another writer, Matthew Sturges proves he can pick up the baton and not miss a beat.

We don't need a chronological reboot and massive redesign to make heroes at the edge of the DCU relevant again. All we need are good writers telling good stories, just like this one. Must-read.

[DC, $2.99]

The Eagle on DVD

20 years after the mysterious disappearance of the Ninth Legion in the wilds of Northern Britain the son (Channing Tatum) of the legion's commander goes in search to restore his family's honor by recovering the Legion's standard - a golden eagle. Along for the ride is his slave Esca (Jamie Bell) who knows the terrain and people north of Hadrian's Wall. The pair trade places as the slave becomes the master and tensions fray near the breaking point as they discover the final resting place of the Legion, the fate of Marcus' father, and the whereabouts of the eagle.

Similar to Centurion (read that review), The Eagle far less ambitious and poorly handled. The film is saddled with some astonishingly bad dialogue, a wooden leading man, a mind-dulling final hour, and a poorly thought-out ending.

Doctor Who - Series Six, Part One

It begins with a trip to Nixon's White House, a scared little girl (Sydney Wade) with the power to regenerate, the death of The Doctor (Matt Smith) and the first appearance of the Silence. And it ends with true identity of River Song (Alex Kingston) revealed.

The two-disc Blu-ray includes all seven of the first half of Doctor Who Series Six including pirates, Flesh created doppelgängers with minds of their own, the TARDIS in human form, and The Doctor and Rory (Arthur Darvill) mobilizing an army to save Amy Pond (Karen Gillan) and her young daughter from those who would use her as a weapon against The Doctor.

Chuck versus Comic-Con 2011

Check out these two videos capturing the cast of Chuck discussing the show's upcoming fifth (and final) season. During the panel we'll learn what's in store for Chuck (Zachary Levi) and Sarah (Yvonne Strahovski), the new role for Morgan Grimes (Joshua Gomez) this year, the naming of the one of the final season's villains, the possibility of a Morgan & Casey (Adam Baldwin) wacky sitcom spin-off, how everyone wants the show to end, and how Vik Sahay is exactly like Summer Glau. There are spoilers aplenty for those who haven't seen all of last season but it's worth a look. Here's Part One. You'll find Part Two below.

Darkwing Duck #14

Just as Darkwing Duck's mayoral campaign begins in earnest he's attacked from two sides. The first is by his opponent in the race, current City Councilwoman A. Dention, who wonders live on air if the blame for all the trouble in St. Canard shouldn't fall at the feet of the city's self-appointed savior.

As he's out saving the city from another disaster Darkwing can't fight back against Dention, but he can fight against his other threat - a giant armored battle suit at the hands of one pissed off kitten who calls himself Cat-Tankerous. (Which, seriously, is all kinds of awesome!)

Darkwing eventually triumphs over the new threat only to learn he's just a kid trying to impress the girl he has a crush on - one Gosalyn Mallard. As to the identity of the villain who gave him the suit and sent him after Darkwing, that's still to be determined (although we get out first look at the Myserio-like figure). One thing is for sure, however, Darkwing's campaign just got tougher as the citizens of St. Canard have found a new hero to support - Launchpad McQuack!

Torchwood: Miracle Day - Dead of Night

The third episode finally sees our team together on the streets of Washington, D.C., as the search begins discover the truth behind why no one in the world can die. Although I thought the second episode was a bit of a step up from this season's opener this one's a bit of a mess, even though this episode finally gets things rolling.

Comic Rack 138

It’s a new week so it must be time to talk about comics! Welcome to the RazorFine Comic Rack boys and girls. Pull up a bean bag and take a seat at feet of the master as we offer you this quick list of all kinds of comic book goodness set to hit comic shops and bookstores this week from all your favorite publishers including DC, Marvel, Dark Horse, BOOM!, Dynamite, Image Comics, and others.

This week includes Action Comics, Amazing Spider-Man, American Vampire, Archie, Artifacts, Astonishing X-Men, Captain America and Bucky, Cobra, Doctor Who, DuckTales, FF, Futurama Comics, Flashpoint: Hal Jordan, Flashpoint: Project Superman, Gotham City Sirens, Incorruptible, Invincible, Kato, Kirby: Genesis, Queen Sonja, Secret Avengers, Teen Titans, Uncanny X-Force, the first issues of Joe Hill's The Cape, Terminator/ Robocop: Kill Human, Warlord of Mars: Fall of Barsoom, and the final issues of Emma, and The Mission.

Enjoy issue #138

Captain America: The First Avenger

Despite being around for 70 years, Marvel's second most iconic hero (behind only Spider-Man) has had trouble finding his way to the big screen. Aside from his appearances in various cartoons over the years Captain America's career boils down to an old WWII serial, the perhaps best-forgotten 1970's made-for-TV movies starring Reb Brown, and the 1990 live-action film which ended up going straight to video.

Attempting to rectify this oversight Marvel Studios and director Joe Johnston bring Captain America to the big screen with Captain America: The First Avenger which tells the basic story of Steve Rogers' origin with a few interesting changes.

We meet Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), a plucky young patriotic American who wants to enlist to fight Nazis alongside his best pal Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), as he's turned down yet again for service due to medical reasons. Just looking at the scrawny young man you'd have a hard time believing he would eventually become the world's greatest soldier.

Friends with Benefits

The idea of Mila Kunis starring in a raunchy sex comedy from the director who gave us the best male cheerleader recruitment film ever sounded promising. But for a film about casual sex Friends with Benefits, with the exception of a couple of early montages where our two leads spend 90% of their naked time together, is actually kind of impotent.

Dylan (Justin Timberlake) and Jamie (Kunis) meet cute when he comes to New York after she arranges a job interview for him at GQ through her role as a head-hunter. The two hit it off, and when Dylan decides to take the job they become fast friends.

After bonding over past relationship stories and beer one night the pair decide to try and be friends who occasionally use each other for sex. As almost always happens in movies like this things start out great but go downhill fast. This isn't the first film to try using casual sex as the basis for a relationship film (it's not even the first one this year), and despite failing rather spectacularly it's sure not to be the last.

Covert Affairs - Half a World Away

For the first time in its two seasons on the air Covert Affairs gives us an episode where the main story revolves not around young CIA agent Annie Walker (Piper Perabo), but her partner in crime back at Langley - Auggie (Christopher Gorham).

While on vacation Auggie hears a voice of a man he believed to be long dead, the terrorist (Patrick Sabongui) who killed several members of his unit with an explosion that also cost Auggie his sight. The news puts the agent in a tailspin and he becomes obsessed with tracking down the terrorist. He's even willing to put a civilian in danger and lie to Annie about a favor back home which lands her in the back of an FBI SUV.

White Collar - Taking Account

Mozzie (Willie Garson) makes a new lady friend when the bank accounts of several customers, including Sara (Hilarie Burton), are cleaned out by a hacker (Lena Headey). Of course, things aren't exactly as they seem.

Reason #33 Why I Love DS9 - The Visitor

There are many reasons why I love Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and why it remains my favorite of the Star Trek franchise.

Reason #33: "The Visitor"

Mila Kunis sexes up GQ

CQ is giving fans of Mila Kunis all the reason they need to pick up the July issue. In the issue's July cover story the actress discusses the end of the world, her new movie Friends with Benefits, the merits and pitfalls of casual sex, working with Hulk Hogan in Santa with Muscles, her love of Star Trek, her appreciation for female comedic actresses from Lucille Ball to Tina Fey, Family Guy, the difficulty in being funny, and being single. She also took time to pose for a few pics which you can find after the jump.

The first trailer for The Amazing Spider-Man

The Raimi-less Spidey reboot finally has a trailer. And we think you really, really should watch. The Amazing Spider-Man starring Andrew Garfield hits theaters next July.

New Avengers #14

I've been lukewarm to the entire Fear Itself storyline, but this is the first tie-in that I've really liked. And it's not only because it manages to summarize the entire summer event in a single panel (though it does, marvelously). It's because this is simply a darn good story, even if it is tied to an event I care little or nothing about. And even more unlikely, it's centered around a character I've never given two shits about.

The entire issue is centered around Mockingbird coming to grips with being alive, reuniting with her New Avenger teammates, and trying her new found abilities out on Nazi robots. Yeah, that's right, Nazi robots!

Leverage - The Van Gogh Job

A couple of weeks back I was hard on Leverage for its missed success in attempting a whodunit. This week once again finds the show drifting out of its comfort zone but the results are much more satisfying.

Green Lantern #67

War of the Green Lanterns, thankfully, comes to a conclusion with this issue as the united rainbow lanterns make their final stand against Krona in an attempt to free the various colored entities.

The main story itself, like most of this story are which began back in Blackest Night, is mostly forgettable. However, the issue does delivering a few startling events worthy of notice including Sinestro as a Green Lantern. The sequence which leads to this is as interesting as the panel where the ring chooses Sinestro is shocking. Hal Jordan's most hated enemy appears to come to terms with Jordan and in doing so earns back the position which was forcibly taken from him decades ago.

Although Sinestro seems to have earned his way back into the Corps, Hal Jordan's ring is stripped from the Greatest Green Lantern (again!) when his uses it to commit to cardinal sin of saving the universe, I mean killing a former Guardian.

We'll have to see how both of these events play out in the DC reboot, but I'm betting Jordan won't be without a ring for very long. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

Batman: The Animated Series Rises

I posted The Dark Knight Rises trailer yesterday, but damn if this Batman: The Animated Series version isn't 300% more awesome. Very, very cool!

Captain America #1

Steve Rogers is back in action as Captain America as Marvel relaunches the title, again. It's a good first issue getting Cap back in action and dealing with the death of an old friend (who honestly I thought had died decades ago), a dangerous mystery from his past, and appearances of both old friends and old enemies.

This first storyline focuses on a case from Captain America's past in WWII and he'll need the help of Nick Fury and Sharon Carter to help him track down an old associate of Cap's (Codename: Bravo) who attempts to assassinate Dum Dum Dugan at Peggy Carter's funeral. But he's only half the story, the other half involves an elderly man recently out of a coma who as a child help Cap's covert team fight the Nazis.

We also get appearances from HYDRA and Baron Zemo who are in cahoots with Codename: Bravo. I understand where Brubaker is going here but every WWII hero that's still alive and in top notch condition makes a Cap a little less special. It's a good, though not great, first issue. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

The Lincoln Lawyer

Matthew McConaughey stars low rent defense attorney Mickey Haller who operates out of the back of his Lincoln Town Car. According to Mickey, he's never had an innocent client until a new case involving a spoiled rich playboy Louis Roulet (Ryan Phillippe) comes his way.

Oh, Roulet isn't innocent, far from it. He's not only guilty of the charge of assaulting a prostitute (Adventureland's Margarita Levieva) but also the death of another woman (Yari Deleon) years before who Mickey's previous client (Michael Peña) is serving time for on advice from his lawyer to cop a plea.

Rango

A pet chameleon (Johnny Depp) with an overactive imagination finds himself separated from his owners and stranded in the desert. As a consequence of his wild tales (and an amazing amount of dumb luck) he soon finds himself elected sheriff of a small town with a water shortage. Under the name of Rango our hero sets out with a posse to solve the problem.

Rango is a quirky and beautifully rendered animated slapstick comedy that also, sadly, drags in places. And despite referencing everything from the westerns of Sergio Leone to Chinatown to Apocalypse Now, Rango isn't nearly as original or smart as it wants to be.

So, this waiting for me when I got home today...

Red Robin #25

There's much to recommend in the second-to-last issue of Red Robin. We get an appearance by Cassandra Cain (the former Batgirl who has been absent from the DCU since Stephanie Brown took over the role) who helps stop the latest group of assassins from killing our hero, and attempts to "kill" him herself.

Aside from surviving the attack by the sister of Ra's al Ghul and uncovering a mystery opponent behind all of the attacks on his life, Red Robin must also deal with the fallout of his lies to Tam Fox about her father, help out Cain take on a ten year-old martial arts genuis who wipes Hong Kong with both of them (I want more of this story).

The real shocker comes in issue's final panels where we see Red Robin's impressive new base of operations as well as learn that our hero has "assassinated Captain Boomerang." Like most of DC's current Bat-titles I'm sorry to see this one going away, but it looks like the final issue will be a doozy. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

The Dark Knight Rises teaser trailer

The first bootleg versions of the first teaser started hitting the Internet over the weekend, but now the trailer for director Christopher Nolan's third (and final) Batman film is out. The Dark Knight Rises will hit theaters everywhre next summer.

Captain America

Captain America: The First Avenger is set to hit theaters this Friday but it isn't the first attempt by Marvel Comics to translate their iconic hero to the big screen. While DC was churning out Batman and Superman flicks at will in the 80's and early 90's, Marvel was lagging behind. For the Captain America's 50th Anniversary Marvel Comics put together a feature film centered around the hero.

Financing issues (which the production ran into after it had moved overseas for shooting in Europe) and the addition of stunt sequences, further re-shoots, and editing bogged the film down. Captain America went unreleased for two years. Although it did see the inside of theaters internationally, in the country of his origin poor Captain America was limited to a unheralded straight-to-video release.

Comic Rack 137

It’s a new week so it must be time to talk about comics! Welcome to the RazorFine Comic Rack boys and girls. Pull up a bean bag and take a seat at feet of the master as we offer you this quick list of all kinds of comic book goodness set to hit comic shops and bookstores this week from all your favorite publishers including DC, Marvel, Dark Horse, BOOM!, Dynamite, Image Comics, and others.

This week includes Avengers, Batman, Darkwing Duck, DC Retroactive: The Flash - The '70s, DMZ, G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero, Herc, Hulk, Iron Man 2.0, Power Girl, Rage, Reaper, Snake Eyes, The Spirit, Supergirl, Transformers, Turf, Warlord of Mars, X-Factor, X-Men, Zatanna, the first issues of Avengelyne, The Boys: Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker, Daredevil, Duke Nukem: Glorious Bastard, Marksman, Rain, Thor: Heaven and Earth, and the final issues of Cinderella: Fables are Forever, Malignant Man, Skaar: King of Savage Land, and True Blood: Tainted Love.

Enjoy issue #137

Batman...

...needs some information.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

In 2001 Warner Bros. released the first film adapted from the Harry Potter books. Directed by Chris Columbus, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone was a critical and box office success. Ten years, three directors, and seven films later, the hugely popular film franchise comes to a close with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.

Picking up when the previous film left off, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and his friends continue to lick their wounds and mourn their losses as Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes), now armed with the elder wand, begins preparing for the final battle. And where better for that battle to take place than Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry?

Aside from the conclusion of Harry's battle with You-Know-Who, the series also wraps up several other stories including finally getting Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) together, the evolution of Neville Longbottom (Matthew Lewis) into a hero, and examination of the motives of Severus Snape (Alan Rickman).

Batgirl #23

After returning from her short European adventure Batgirl jumps right back into action as the Reapers come out in force. How do you take on a small army of sociopaths in armored suits? If you're Stephanie Brown you call in a few friends.

I love this comic. Seriously, the one thing I've been wanting for Stephanie Brown is to have her own team (like the Teen Titans). And writer Bryan Q. Miller gives me everything I asked for and more. It may be for only and handful of pages, but damn it's good. It's a shame the DC reboot is going to kill this team after only a single adventure.

As awesome as this final battle is (with a damn fine cliffhanger as Batgirl discovers the shocking identity of the man behind the Reapers' attacks), there are also a couple of nice contemplative moments as Steph deals with the death of the Grey Ghost and her of conversations with her favorite GCPD Detective.

Pick this issue up. My only complaint is there's only a single issue left, but I have a feeling Mr. Miller is going to have Stephanie Brown go out in style. I would expect nothing less. Must-read.

[DC, $2.99]

Harry Potter comes of age

A decade, that's how long its been since Harry Potter first found his way onto the big screen. With the eighth (and final) movie ready to hit theaters this Friday let's take a look back at Harry Potter and the Multi-Billion Dollar Franchise.

First Look - John Carter

Take a couple of minutes to check out the first trailer for Pixar writer/director Andrew Stanton's John Carter, based on Edgar Rice Burroughs character (played here by Taylor Kitsch) who finds himself miraculously transported to Mars. Lynn Collins, Ciarán Hinds, Mark Strong, Willem Dafoe, Dominic West, Thomas Haden Church, and Samantha Morton also star. John Carter will open in theaters next March.

Covert Affairs - The Outsiders

A simple deployment of new survelliance techonlogy on the Polish/Belarus border turns into anything but when Annie (Piper Perabo) and Reva (Jaimie Alexander) are picked up by the secret police after discovering a fake village used as a holding station for weapons and vehicles destined for hostile nations. And, sadly, these aren't the types of guys to believe their cover story of being innocent Canadian hikers.

Memphis Beat - Things We Carry

Whitehead (Sam Hennings) and Lt. Rice (Alfre Woodard) investigate the arson at a local theater as Dwight (Jason Lee) and his momma (Celia Weston) head down to New Orleans on personal business when the man (Red West) convicted of Dwight's father's death comes up for early release due to a life-threatening medical condition. Dwight has a few questions about his father, a wad of dirty money, and the real circumstances around the night his father was killed.

White Collar – Scott Free

Peter (Tim DeKay) and Neal (Matt Bomer) try to catch a talented young thief nicknamed "Robin Hoodie" (Hutch Dano) who robs from the rich and gives some of the proceeds to charity. More than one observer compares to talented thief to a young Mr. Caffrey.

Leverage – The 15 Minutes Job

After a somewhat shaky attempt at a whodunit things get back to normal this week as the Leverage team puts their sites on a shady crisis PR man (Michael Gladis) known for ruining careers, including that of one of Nate's (Timothy Hutton) oldest friends (Jim Iorio).

Fear Itself #4 (of 7)

One month later here's what we know: Bucky Barnes is still dead, the world is still going to Hell, Thor is back, and so far no one actually has a plan on how to stop an evil God of Fear from playing Hammertime all over the Marvel Universe. Oh yeah, and Steve Rogers is Captain America, again.

I've felt indifferent to most of Fear Itself, and although I certanly didn't love this issue it has a couple of points of interest besides Steve Rogers becoming Captain America and the reuniting of the Avengers big three.

Bucky's death scene, though short (and nowhere near as lovingly told as the Red Hulk's) works quite well. It's also telling that Steve Rogers can't be in the same room with Bucky's body or, even though he manages to don the costume, still can't bring himself to put on Captain America's mask.

Secret Six #35

With the DC reboot just two months away writer Gail Simone gives the first half of the two-part series finale of a comic I'm going to miss a great deal. The path of the Secret Six takes a new turn as Bane's view of the world has been altered by his brief state in Hell.

The man who once broke the Bat has decided to lead the team back into Gotham and take on Batman and the entire Bat-Family. The old Bane, with a little encouragement from Catman, seems to be back.

This is a pretty good issue that puts the team on a new path and drafts a new member (but a familiar villain) to the squad, but with the looming DC reboot the question is will Gail Simone have time to tell the full story?

With only one issue left, I'm saddened that this is the end of the Secret Six, at least for now (and possibly for good). Whether the powers that be in the DCU believe it or not, their universe is going to be a lot less interesting without the Six to kick around. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

Flashpoint #3 (of 5)

The third issue of Flashpoint finally gives us Barry Allen as the Flash. It also gives us the Flashpoint version of Superman... which isn't quite as impressive.

First off, I'm glad to see Barry back in costume and I like the subtle difference in the relationship between the Flash and Batman once the speedster has his powers back.

Although this issues sees the beginnings of the Justice League, and the face of the Resistance which includes Grifter (because, apparently Gen13 wasn't available), the other big event is the appearance of Superman who it appears has been kept in captivity since birth, far away from the powerful rays of the Sun.

It's not a bad third issue, but by the end of the #3 we should be more than halfway through Flashpoint and there seems like quite a bit yet to be decided. The appearance of Grifter also makes my original theory of Flashpoint being the catalyst the DC reboot (which Grifter and other WildStorm characters are to be a part of) look that much more likely. Hit-and-Miss.

[DC, $3.99]

Torchwood: Miracle Day - A New World

Torchwood has the unenviable task of following up Children of Earth (one of the best sci-fi stories I've seen told in any medium in recent years) with not only a change in network (at least here in the United States) after a long layoff, but also moving the characters themselves across the pond to America. It isn't a reboot exactly, but it does feel like a brand new beginning.

Batman and Robin #25

The most recent Red Hood storyline comes to a (somewhat disappointing) close in this issue. Whether events were cut short to make room for DC's new reboot, or not, that's certainly how things feel here.

Batman and Robin's team-up with Jason Todd to save his former partner Scarlet runs into early snags as former hero turned crime boss turned... whatever the hell he is now repeatedly doublecrosses the Dynamic Duo.

The issue isn't bad by any means, but it does have a rushed feel and is stuck with an anticlimactic ending that, given the looming reboot, will never truly be resolved.

That said, there are a couple of nice scenes where we're given a look into Todd's view of Dick Grayson, and vice-versa. This storyline, even when it has struggled at times has done a good job focusing on the differences between the first two Robins. Personally, I would have liked more of Damian's thoughts on Todd whose outlook is far similar to the Son of Batman than his current boss. With a look.

[DC, $2.99]

Futurama - Law and Oracle

Tired of his dead-end job as a delivery boy, Fry (Billy West) sets out to find a new career... as a cop. Although I thought the previous episodes of this season were okay (if nothing special), here for the first time the show really delivers with an episode that spoofs everything from Police Academy to the original Tron. The only real disappointment to this episode is that it ends far too soon. Honestly, I wouldn't mind seeing more of Philip J. Fry: Space Cop.

Comic Rack 136

It’s a new week so it must be time to talk about comics! Welcome to the RazorFine Comic Rack boys and girls. Pull up a bean bag and take a seat at feet of the master as we offer you this quick list of all kinds of comic book goodness set to hit comic shops and bookstores this week from all your favorite publishers including DC, Marvel, Dark Horse, BOOM!, Dynamite, Image Comics, and others.

This week includes Batgirl, Birds of Prey, Booster Gold, Deadpool, FF, Green Lantern, Hellraiser, Jughead, Memoir, New Avengers, Red Robin, Total Recall, the first issues of B.P.R.D.: Hell On Earth - Monsters, Captain America, Crawl to Me, DC Comics Presents: Batman - Gotham Noir, Doctor Who: A Fairytale Life, Dollhouse: Epitaphs, Executive Assistant: Orchid, Ghost Rider, The Red Wing, Ultimate Fallout, X-Men: Schism, and the final issues of Formic Wars: Burning Earth, The Green Hornet: Aftermath, Space Warped, and Ultimate Fallout.

Enjoy issue #136

Horrible Bosses

Don't you wish you could kill your boss? Wouldn't it be cool if you're two best friends felt the same way and you all decided to go into it together? That's the basic premise of Horrible Bosses, a foul-mouthed raunchy comedy that is neither as dark or as funny as it needs to be.

It isn't that the movie is bad, I'll admit to laughing at some of the ridiculous antics displayed on-screen. Not big laughs, but laughs none the less. The problem is it just isn't that memorable.

One of the cardinal rules to screenwriting is to never mention or evoke memories of better movies, thereby reminding the audience of films they would rather be watching. A clever homage, maybe, but it can backfire at least as often as it succeeds. Namedropping movies the audience would rather be watching, yeah, that's not such a great idea.

Batman: Year One trailer

The first trailer for Batman: Year One has hit the interwebs. I'm a big fan of DC's animation but this quick glimpse feels like it's lacking the awesome of Frank Miller's original tale. What do you think?

Awesome Characters - Hermione Granger

"You really are the brightest witch of your age."
There are characters we fall in love with. The perfect mix of actor and writer that breathes magic onto the screen or inside the television.

I know what you're thinking. Sure, it's Harry Potter's story, but you've got to admit the kid can be annoying at times. And let's not even get started on his redheaded best pal Ron Weasley. One could argue it's the character of Hermione Granger that not only grounds Harry's world, but also helps round off his rougher edges. After all, no matter how annoying he may get at times, if he's cool enough to to have a friend like Hermione he can't be all bad, right?

Hermione might not be the chosen one but she's the threesome's most reliable member, the one who provides the research, knowledge, and unwavering support when Harry (or Ron) falter. Oh, and she's also, as Sirius Black remarks, the brightest witch of her age.

Covert Affairs – Around the Sun

In her latest assignment Annie (Piper Perabo) searches for a mole inside of NASA and is disappointed when all the evidence point to a career NASA employee (Mark Moses) with a bright teenage son (Landon Norris).

White Collar - Veiled Threat

Peter (Tim DeKay) goes undercover to catch a black widow (Mädchen Amick) who has left a trail of wealthy men in her wake. Much to the consternation of Misses Suit (Tiffani Thiessen) things get tricky when a single night assignment gets more complicated as the widow takes a shine to Mrs. Burke's husband.

Leverage – The 10 Lil’l Grifters Job

The team infiltrates the mystery murder gala of their latest mark (William Russ), only to have the man killed in the middle of the party. When the storm momentarily knocks out the light someone attacks and throws the businessman from the balcony. As Nate (Timothy Hutton) is a prime suspect (he was the only one on the balcony when the lights came back on) the team not only has to complete the con by breaking into the man's safe, but convince the entire gathering the "murder" is all part of the show and enlist their help in discovering the identity of the murderer.