Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Karai’s Vendetta
Until recently I've stayed away from the newest cartoon version of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles due to its awful hip-hop version of the classic TMNT theme song and the CGI design of the series which is a far cry from both the original comic and popular 80's cartoon. After a couple of episodes I've gotten used to the look of the new show (but not the theme), and although the series seems aimed at a younger audience than even the original there is still some fun to be had.
Castle - Still
While investigating a suspect in a local bombing, Beckett (Stana Katic) accidentally steps on and activates a bomb in the man's apartment leading to a flashback-heavy episode as Castle (Nathan Fillion) tries to keep his partner's mind off her situation while buying time for the bomb unit to defuse the threat and Esposito (Jon Huertas) and Ryan (Seamus Dever) grill the bomber (Adam Rose) on how to disarm the device.
The Flash #19
Although the cover teases the first appearance of the New 52 version of the Reverse-Flash, which we only get in final couple of panels, most of The Flash #19 deals with Barry Allen stopping the prison break of the Trickster and several other prisoners caused by the Outlander Nation.
Once again Francis Manapul is back to do the issue's cover, but the art inside the book by Marcio Takara, which isn't bad, is certainly a step down from what we were getting before. The storyline of Barry working without his powers, which is never properly explained here to anyone not reading Dial H for Hero, works all right, and by the end of the issue the Flash has his powers back and things are back to normal.
That is until the comic introduces the new version of the Reverse-Flash (whose awesome original costume has been thrown away for yet another lackluster New 52 redesign). It will be interesting to see what version of the character has made it into the New 52 and what exactly his plans are for the Scarlet Speedster. For fans.
[DC, $3.99]
Once again Francis Manapul is back to do the issue's cover, but the art inside the book by Marcio Takara, which isn't bad, is certainly a step down from what we were getting before. The storyline of Barry working without his powers, which is never properly explained here to anyone not reading Dial H for Hero, works all right, and by the end of the issue the Flash has his powers back and things are back to normal.
That is until the comic introduces the new version of the Reverse-Flash (whose awesome original costume has been thrown away for yet another lackluster New 52 redesign). It will be interesting to see what version of the character has made it into the New 52 and what exactly his plans are for the Scarlet Speedster. For fans.
[DC, $3.99]
Red 2 trailer
Marvin (John Malkovich) pulls Frank (Bruce Willis) out of retirement to hunt down a weapon smuggled into Moscow and reassembled by an insane scientist (Anthony Hopkins) during the Cold War which has now fallen into the wrong hands. Helen Mirren and Mary-Louise Parker return, and Byung-hun Lee, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Neal McDonough, and David Thewlis also star. Red 2 opens in theaters on July 19th.
Shay Mitchell shows off her style for Nylon Mexico
Here's a look at Pretty Little Liars star Shay Mitchell's cover photoshoot for the latest issue of Nylon Mexico Magazine. You can find the the rest of the pics inside.
Morning Glories #26
After months of leaving the fate of Casey Blevins up in the air, the latest issue of Morning Glories puts her storyline front and center as the comic kicks off it's Second Season with a full-sized $1 issue which gives us a few clues as to how Casey has been spending her time since being sent back nearly two decades into the past.
As fans of the series have come to expect, an issue like this raises more questions than it answers. We get a montage of panels from artist Joe Eisma teasing the covert work Casey has been up to since we saw her last as well as a pair of shocking reveals following an odd dinner between Casey and Abraham.
The first big reveal is Casey is secretly Ms. Clarskon, one of Casey's old high school teachers before being accepted into Morning Glories. And the second is the scary resemblance to Ms. Daramount, once Casey embraces life as a brunette, and all of the insane implications that come with it. It's certainly a memorable way to kick off the next arc. Worth a look.
[Image, $1.00]
As fans of the series have come to expect, an issue like this raises more questions than it answers. We get a montage of panels from artist Joe Eisma teasing the covert work Casey has been up to since we saw her last as well as a pair of shocking reveals following an odd dinner between Casey and Abraham.
The first big reveal is Casey is secretly Ms. Clarskon, one of Casey's old high school teachers before being accepted into Morning Glories. And the second is the scary resemblance to Ms. Daramount, once Casey embraces life as a brunette, and all of the insane implications that come with it. It's certainly a memorable way to kick off the next arc. Worth a look.
[Image, $1.00]
Monday, April 29, 2013
The Mentalist - Red and Itchy
After LaRoche's (Pruitt Taylor Vince) home is broken into and he manages to kill one of the perpetrators, he requests Jane's (Simon Baker) involvement on the case to find the man who got away (with the mysterious Tupperware box that Jane learned of when he hired someone to steal from investigator's safe back in Season Three). With LaRoche being blackmailed to stop looking into a security leak within the CBI and Jane only has a single day to find the blackmailer before LaRoche must bend to his pressure of see his life and career ruined.
G.I. JOE #3
Most of the action in G.I. JOE #3 is set inside Duke's mind as Dr. Mindbender tries to break the JOE and force him to give them the all-clear code which will allow Cobra to continue their plans. Various memories of Duke from childhood through the circumstances that led to him to enlist with the JOEs are used to try and break Duke, but Mindbender and the Baroness discover the process isn't as easy as they had hoped.
The issue is a good excuse to delve into Duke's past and present a new look at the road that led him to being the field leader of G.I. JOE. Most of the flashbacks have to do with Duke's relationship with the love of his life who he lost twice, once by stopping her transfer into the field, and later when her bullheadedness got her the assignment she wanted only to die in an ambush set for Duke.
G.I. JOE #3 bucks the trend of "everybody breaks" in comics and movies recently by allowing Duke to hold out and even warn the JOEs that something is wrong. Now things get interesting. For fans.
[IDW, $3.99]
The issue is a good excuse to delve into Duke's past and present a new look at the road that led him to being the field leader of G.I. JOE. Most of the flashbacks have to do with Duke's relationship with the love of his life who he lost twice, once by stopping her transfer into the field, and later when her bullheadedness got her the assignment she wanted only to die in an ambush set for Duke.
G.I. JOE #3 bucks the trend of "everybody breaks" in comics and movies recently by allowing Duke to hold out and even warn the JOEs that something is wrong. Now things get interesting. For fans.
[IDW, $3.99]
The Shadow #12
In this single-issue tale The Shadow spends hours scouring the city looking for a deadly new gang of bank robbers who aren't afraid to kill and have already gotten a taste for blood. Although it puts a crimp in his dating life and requires hours of work and a variety of sources at the vigilante's disposal, The Shadow is eventually able to track them down though a call girl one of bank robbers frequents.
Needing to catch the gang, and make the whole thing look like the police set his trap, The Shadow performs a little hypnotism to plant the idea of a big score into the gang. That and a good deal of understanding of human nature and greed, allow The Shadow makes sure the bank robbers take the bait before sitting back and enjoying the show.
The Shadow #12 reminds readers of the resources the vigilante uses to in his one man war against crime along with plenty of action and some lighter moments between Lamont and Margo Lane. Worth a look.
[Dynamite Entertainment, $3.99]
Needing to catch the gang, and make the whole thing look like the police set his trap, The Shadow performs a little hypnotism to plant the idea of a big score into the gang. That and a good deal of understanding of human nature and greed, allow The Shadow makes sure the bank robbers take the bait before sitting back and enjoying the show.
The Shadow #12 reminds readers of the resources the vigilante uses to in his one man war against crime along with plenty of action and some lighter moments between Lamont and Margo Lane. Worth a look.
[Dynamite Entertainment, $3.99]
Doctor Who - Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS
While letting Clara (Jenna-Louise Coleman) fly the TARDIS something goes terribly wrong when the Time Lord's craft is caught in a Magno-Grab by a salvage ship looking for scrap. With Clara still trapped onboard, lost in the maze-like bowels of the ship, The Doctor (Matt Smith) convinces the two brothers (Mark Oliver, Ashley Walters) and their android (Jahvel Hall) to help save Clara by offering them "the salvage of a lifetime" in exchange. After boarding with the salvagers, The Doctor activates the TARDIS self-destruct and locks them all aboard, giving them a half-hour to rescue Clara before they all die.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
XIII - Joust
Captured by Synequanon security, XIII (Stuart Townsend) finds himself at the mercy of Amos (Greg Bryk) only to be rescued by Betty (Roxane Mesquida) and Mozambique (Wole Daramola) who have become far more militarized since the last time he saw them. Only as the situation spirals further out of control does XIII realize he's stuck in a virtual reality courtesy of Synequanon in Amos' attempt to get to the truth. When false reality does get Amos the answers he wants he turns to old fashioned torture.
Nikita - Self-Destruct
Ryan (Noah Bean) awakes from his coma to the ashes of Alex‘s (Lyndsy Fonseca) foiled rebellion, a broken computer system, and news that Owen (Devon Sawa) has stolen the Black Box and is working with Amanda (Melinda Clarke) to sell it to the highest bidder. As Birkhoff (Aaron Stanford) and Sonya (Lyndie Greenwood) work to try and get Division up and running again, Nikita (Maggie Q) leaves to find a broken Alex, who fled what's left of Division following the death of Sean (Dillon Casey) and has turned her aggression on local drug dealers in a suicidal plan that reminds Nikita of her own behavior after the loss of Daniel (Sebastien Roberts).
Elementary - Dead Man's Switch
As Sherlock Holmes (Jonny Lee Miller) nears a full year of sobriety, he and Watson (Lucy Liu) search for the accomplice of a murdered blackmailer (David Mogentale) who specialized in targeting the families of rape victims including a friend (Thomas Jay Ryan) of Alfredo (Ato Essandoh). Holmes gets Captain Gregson (Aidan Quinn) to agree to keep the murder under wraps giving the consulting detective a small window of time before the man's accomplice learns of the murder and does something rash like publishing the video of the rape of Eva (Portia Reiners), along with those of other girls, online as a form of reprisal.
Scandal - Seven Fifty-Two
With Molly (Mageina Tovah) killed the same night both Olivia (Kerry Washington) and Huck (Guillermo DĆaz) were attacked, Quinn (Katie Lowes), Abby (Darby Stanchfield), and Harrison (Columbus Short) redouble their efforts to find Albatross. With Huck lost in his own mind, and Olivia still in the hospital, the group tries to talk him through his odd state where all he can seem to do is rock and repeat the same phase, Seven Fifty-Two, over and over gain.
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Teen Titans Go! - Legendary Sandwich & Pie Bros
DC Nation reboots Cartoon Network's Teen Titans more in the style of the recent DC Nation shorts. The first episode includes two new adventures for the team. The new series, like the previous shorts, is certainly geared to younger audiences with goofier storylines involving the group dynamic (and not a whole lot of actual crime fighting).
Person of Interest - In Extremis
Reese (Jim Caviezel) and Finch (Michael Emerson) may be too late to save their latest number, a cardiologist (Dennis Boutsikaris) who was given slow-acting poison for which there is no cure. For such an honest man the list of suspects is staggering: the man's protege and former mistress (Gabrielle Miller), the doctor's hedge fund manager (Matthew Humphreys) under SEC investigation for insider trading, a friend at a pharmaceutical firm (Matthew Rauch) whose drug trial was halted based on the doctor's recommendation costing the firm millions, and the doctor's estranged daughter (Allison Scagliotti).
Guardians of the Galaxy #2
Crashing to Earth with the Badoon warship, Iron Man and the Guardians of the Galaxy find themselves trapped in London with no possible support other than from the likes of British heroes like Captain Britain. (And, really, what help would they be anyway?)
The latest issue is a little slow to get going, and the action is interrupted on several occasions to showcase King J-Son's political workings with a who's who of the leaders of the Marvel Universe's cosmic races (including the Supreme Intelligence, Annihilus, Freya, Gladiator, Y-Gaaaar, and the Brood Queen, which leads to the Badoon attacking Earth (and which eventually gets our heroes in trouble after saving London).
The reasoning behind no other heroes showing up to assist Iron Man and the Guardians is a little weak (to say the least), but it does offer plenty of opportunities to showcase the the deadly skills of Gamora, Drax, and especially Rocket Racoon (who is his usual awesome self). Worth a look.
[Marvel, $3.99]
The latest issue is a little slow to get going, and the action is interrupted on several occasions to showcase King J-Son's political workings with a who's who of the leaders of the Marvel Universe's cosmic races (including the Supreme Intelligence, Annihilus, Freya, Gladiator, Y-Gaaaar, and the Brood Queen, which leads to the Badoon attacking Earth (and which eventually gets our heroes in trouble after saving London).
The reasoning behind no other heroes showing up to assist Iron Man and the Guardians is a little weak (to say the least), but it does offer plenty of opportunities to showcase the the deadly skills of Gamora, Drax, and especially Rocket Racoon (who is his usual awesome self). Worth a look.
[Marvel, $3.99]
Glee - Lights Out
A power outage at McKinley High School leads Mr. Shue (Matthew Morrison) to throw out his original plans of big arena numbers after catching a glimpse at the competition's secret weapon (Jessica Sanchez) to have the New Directions instead focus on a group of acoustic numbers while Principal Figgins (Iqbal Theba) works to try and solve the problem. In New York Rachel (Lea Michele) and Kurt (Chris Colfer) try to perform an intervention for Santana (Naya Rivera) after discovering their friend is now working as a cage dancer at a sleazy New York night club.
The Big Bang Theory - The Closure Alternative
Amy (Mayim Bialik) tries to get Sheldon (Jim Parsons) to confront his issues with closure after watching her boyfriend throw a fit when he learns that one of his favorite shows, Alphas, has been cancelled and now he will never know how the season cliffhanger was meant to be resolved.
Friday, April 26, 2013
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #21
Written and drawn by Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles co-creator Kevin Eastman, the latest issue of the title features the heroes in a half shell doing battle with an annoying enemy in command of a variety of martial arts styles who continually bests the Turtles over the course of a single evening, while constantly mocking their feeble skills and even goes so far as to threaten the life of their master, Splinter.
We also get a short back-up story, setting up the comics next arc, involving the Shredder digging up a new threat for our heroes. As someone who didn't read The Secret History of the Foot Clan, I'll admit Kitsune's appearance didn't do much for me on its own, but Shredder's reaction certainly help sell her arrival as an important event.
Fans of Eastman's style will definitely want to pick this issue up as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #21 is filled with several fight sequences all drawn in the original style of the first TMNT comics. Longtime fans of the Turtles should be able to guess the identity of the Turtles' attacker, but it certainly doesn't take away from one hell of a great comic. Must-Read.
[IDW $3.99]
We also get a short back-up story, setting up the comics next arc, involving the Shredder digging up a new threat for our heroes. As someone who didn't read The Secret History of the Foot Clan, I'll admit Kitsune's appearance didn't do much for me on its own, but Shredder's reaction certainly help sell her arrival as an important event.
Fans of Eastman's style will definitely want to pick this issue up as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #21 is filled with several fight sequences all drawn in the original style of the first TMNT comics. Longtime fans of the Turtles should be able to guess the identity of the Turtles' attacker, but it certainly doesn't take away from one hell of a great comic. Must-Read.
[IDW $3.99]
Antiviral
Written and directed by first-time feature director Brandon Cronenberg, Antiviral is an unusual look at mankind's obsession with both celebrity and germs in a not-too-distant future where the combination of both becomes the world's most highly sought after commodities.
Syd March (Caleb Landry Jones) has an unusual job. He works as a salesman for the Lucas Clinic, a company that specializes in the world's most bizarre fetish. Lucas harvests diseases from celebrities and injects a non-contagious version of them into paying clients who wish to feel closer to the people they see on television and in magazines.
Syd's problem starts with his personal use of the viruses and his willingness to sell them on the black market to a local butcher (Joe Pingue). After extracting the latest illness from the firm's biggest celebrity (Sarah Gadon), Syd decides to sample it before turning it over to the lab. However soon he discovers the celebrity has died of the mysterious illness, and he has started to exhibit the same symptoms.
Syd March (Caleb Landry Jones) has an unusual job. He works as a salesman for the Lucas Clinic, a company that specializes in the world's most bizarre fetish. Lucas harvests diseases from celebrities and injects a non-contagious version of them into paying clients who wish to feel closer to the people they see on television and in magazines.
Syd's problem starts with his personal use of the viruses and his willingness to sell them on the black market to a local butcher (Joe Pingue). After extracting the latest illness from the firm's biggest celebrity (Sarah Gadon), Syd decides to sample it before turning it over to the lab. However soon he discovers the celebrity has died of the mysterious illness, and he has started to exhibit the same symptoms.
Pain & Gain
Based on a somewhat unbelievable true series of events, Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne "It's Okay to Call Me The Rock Again" Johnson, and Anthony Mackie star as a trio of bodybuilders who decide to kidnap and rob a local businessman (Tony Shalhoub). Played to the hilt, the insane over-the-top Pain & Gain embraces the ridiculousness of the situation to deliver some truly funny sequences. Sadly, it delivers almost as many groan worthy moments and some disturbing violence that doesn't always mesh well with the zany tone of the movie. The true story the film is based on is so unbelievable director Michael Bay even stops the film at times to remind the audience that (some form of) these events really occurred.
The characters, who don't seem smart enough to remember to breathe, aren't even caricatures so much as full-blown cartoons. There's a scene from Michael Bay's first awful Transformers flick where a group of giant robots tiptoe around a suburban house hoping no one will see or hear them. That plan is near genius compared to those of Daniel Lugo (Wahlberg) and his confederates.
The characters, who don't seem smart enough to remember to breathe, aren't even caricatures so much as full-blown cartoons. There's a scene from Michael Bay's first awful Transformers flick where a group of giant robots tiptoe around a suburban house hoping no one will see or hear them. That plan is near genius compared to those of Daniel Lugo (Wahlberg) and his confederates.
The Numbers Station
Directed by Kasper Barfoed, The Numbers Station looks and feels every bit the low-budget thriller that it is. Set almost entirely in an underground bunker, the thriller somehow finds a way to make the setting feel empty and endless rather than claustrophobic. Mixed with what appears to be an extremely low budget and a circumspect screenplay that can't find a way to make the idea of numbers stations exciting in 2013, The Numbers Station is the kind of straight-to-DVD B-movie that fizzles more than it entertains.
Our protagonist is Emerson (John Cusack), a government assassin with an acute case of conscience sent to Suffolk, England, after failing to murder a young woman (Hannah Murray) who was witness to his latest kill. Emerson's new assignment is to protect Katherine (Malin Akerman), a cryptographer at a small numbers station used to relay encrypted codes across Western Europe. Haunted by his failure, and the death of the witness, Emerson tries to put the situation behind him, at least until the facility comes under attack by an organized group of terrorists.
Our protagonist is Emerson (John Cusack), a government assassin with an acute case of conscience sent to Suffolk, England, after failing to murder a young woman (Hannah Murray) who was witness to his latest kill. Emerson's new assignment is to protect Katherine (Malin Akerman), a cryptographer at a small numbers station used to relay encrypted codes across Western Europe. Haunted by his failure, and the death of the witness, Emerson tries to put the situation behind him, at least until the facility comes under attack by an organized group of terrorists.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Psych - Juliet Wears the Pantsuit
After their break-up, Shawn (James Roday) becomes suspicious of Juliet's (Maggie Lawson) new roommate Laura (Rachel Blanchard) who he believes is not only a crazy identity thief but may also be a murderer. With Rachael (Parminder Nagra) and Max (Mateen Devji) staying with Gus(DulƩ Hill), Shawn moves in with Woody (Kurt Fuller) which doesn't go well for anyone involved.
The Shadow: Year One #2
The Shadow saves Margo Lane from a pair of gangsters who attempt to throw her off the roof of the Cobalt Club by riddling the pair with holes and throwing their bodies off the rooftop for the cops to find. Who says chivalry is dead?
The Shadow's plans begin to take effect as his attack begins a gang war between the rival families fueled by Massaretti's paranoia, the death of his men, and a little hypnotic suggestion courtesy of the vigilante. As the mobsters begin killing each other The Shadow just sits back and laughs that creepy laugh of his.
I have mixed feelings about Margo recognizing Lamont Cranston as The Shadow so easily. I know she's to become his Girl Friday, but the series of events feels a tad rushed for my tastes. There's also an interesting scene during the party concerning the new Bela Lugosi movie which Cranston overhears and uses to help form the look and theatrics of the vigilante who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men. Worth a look.
[Dynamite Entertainment, $3.99]
The Shadow's plans begin to take effect as his attack begins a gang war between the rival families fueled by Massaretti's paranoia, the death of his men, and a little hypnotic suggestion courtesy of the vigilante. As the mobsters begin killing each other The Shadow just sits back and laughs that creepy laugh of his.
I have mixed feelings about Margo recognizing Lamont Cranston as The Shadow so easily. I know she's to become his Girl Friday, but the series of events feels a tad rushed for my tastes. There's also an interesting scene during the party concerning the new Bela Lugosi movie which Cranston overhears and uses to help form the look and theatrics of the vigilante who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men. Worth a look.
[Dynamite Entertainment, $3.99]
Arrow - Home Invasion
Deadshot (Michael Rowe) returns to Starling City, walking into a trap set for the assassin by Diggle's (David Ramsey) old friend Lyla (Audrey Marie Anderson) who is less than pleased to learn Diggle wasn't completely honest for his reasons in wanting to see the hired killer taken down. Green Arrow (Stephen Amell) also steps in to help a young boy, a client of Laurel (Katie Cassidy), whose family was murdered by a hitman (J. August Richards) working for Starling City's most crooked financier Edward Rasmus (Al Sapienza).
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Bones - The Pathos in the Pathogens
The murder of a journalist becomes personal for the Jeffersonian team when Arastoo (Pej Vahdat) is accidentally infected with the mutated RNA virus that killed her while examining the remains. Sweets (John Francis Daley) talks with the victim's fiance (Kenneth Mitchell), a travel blogger who was out of town and isn't helpful in piecing together the victim's whereabouts over the past three days to discover where she might have come in contact with the virus. Angela (Michaela Conlin) tackles the victim's encrypted laptop to discover he latest story involved talking to a scientist (Laura Kai Chen) at a biohazard facility and an expose about the dangers of scientists mutating pandemic diseases such as SARS and Yellow Fever.
Fables #128
An incensed Bigby Wolf returns home to find his wife a prisoner in the castle tower and vile Prince Brandish still claiming Snow White as his own. As one might expect, this leads to disagreement between Snow White's husbands.
Although we get a couple of pages dealing with the B-story of Beast and the Lady of the Lake, working on the details of Geppeto's possible marriage to the Blue Fairy (a subplot that, as yet, has still yet to bear fruit), most of Fables #128 deals with the duel between Brandish and Bigby (who is unaware that any damage he does the infuriating scoundrel falls on his wife).
By the end of the issue Brandish's many magical defenses prove to much for Bigby who is transformed into a glass statue by the Prince's magical sword. This leaves a wounded Snow White to stand-up for herself ('bout time) in next month's final issue of the (somewhat disappointing) arc. For fans.
[Vertigo, $2.99]
Although we get a couple of pages dealing with the B-story of Beast and the Lady of the Lake, working on the details of Geppeto's possible marriage to the Blue Fairy (a subplot that, as yet, has still yet to bear fruit), most of Fables #128 deals with the duel between Brandish and Bigby (who is unaware that any damage he does the infuriating scoundrel falls on his wife).
By the end of the issue Brandish's many magical defenses prove to much for Bigby who is transformed into a glass statue by the Prince's magical sword. This leaves a wounded Snow White to stand-up for herself ('bout time) in next month's final issue of the (somewhat disappointing) arc. For fans.
[Vertigo, $2.99]
Esquire loves Alison Brie
Daredevil #25
Although the man between Daredevil's recent troubles remains in the shadows, Daredevil #25 does introduce a new enemy as the Man Without Fear learns the true purpose of recreating his accident when he faces off against Ikari, a deadly warrior enhanced with the same hyper-senses as our hero.
Most of the comic is one prolonged fight sequence between Daredevil and the mystery assassin who has cloaked himself in the style of Daredevil's original costume, going so far as to even wear his father's boxing robe to further get under Murdock's skin. With the two evenly matched, Daredevil #25 offers a terrific fight that leaves both men bloodied and straining to breathe.
Trying to use his experience to win the fight, Daredevil changes the venue only to discover he and Ikari aren't as evenly matched as he believed. The assassin has one more ace up his sleeve. The comic ends with Daredevil beaten, but spared (at least for now) leading into the next double-sized issue dealing with Foggy's surgery and, hopefully, the man behind the curtain pulling Ikari's strings. Best of the week.
[Marvel, $3.99]
Most of the comic is one prolonged fight sequence between Daredevil and the mystery assassin who has cloaked himself in the style of Daredevil's original costume, going so far as to even wear his father's boxing robe to further get under Murdock's skin. With the two evenly matched, Daredevil #25 offers a terrific fight that leaves both men bloodied and straining to breathe.
Trying to use his experience to win the fight, Daredevil changes the venue only to discover he and Ikari aren't as evenly matched as he believed. The assassin has one more ace up his sleeve. The comic ends with Daredevil beaten, but spared (at least for now) leading into the next double-sized issue dealing with Foggy's surgery and, hopefully, the man behind the curtain pulling Ikari's strings. Best of the week.
[Marvel, $3.99]
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Castle - The Squab and The Quail
The murder of a venture capitalist by an exotic supercharged poison gets Beckett (Stana Katic) assigned to protect the real target, charming billionaire inventor Eric Vaughn (Ioan Gruffudd) whose mutual attraction to Beckett doesn't go unnoticed by a jealous Castle (Nathan Fillion).Incentivized to solve the case as soon as possible, the mystery writer jumps headfirst into the investigation with Ryan (Seamus Dever) and Esposito (Jon Huertas), but they hit a snag when the busboy who poured the poison on the entree turns up murdered as well.
Atomic Robo Presents Real Science Adventures #7
The six-issue mini-series continues as Atomic Robo Presents Real Science Adventures returns with a new arc. The Good: The mix of short stories, all drawn by different artists has been replaced with a single ongoing and artist. The Bad: As the storyline focuses on a much younger version of Tesla we don't even the hint of Atomic Robo.
Atomic Robo Presents Real Science Adventures #7 has a consistent look and feel and gives the reader a closer examination and the pre-Atomic Robo days of Nikola Tesla. In this issue two of Tesla's inventions are stolen from a demonstration by a shadowy new enemy who plans to use the scientist's teleautomatic control unit in their effort to overthrow the United States Government.
Even without Atomic Robo, writer Brian Clevinger still delivers a fun (if somewhat unmemorable) adventure. I like Erica Henderson's art, but at times felt like an odd choice for the tone of the comic. That said, I'm still likely to pick up the next issue. For fans.
[Red 5, $2.75]
Atomic Robo Presents Real Science Adventures #7 has a consistent look and feel and gives the reader a closer examination and the pre-Atomic Robo days of Nikola Tesla. In this issue two of Tesla's inventions are stolen from a demonstration by a shadowy new enemy who plans to use the scientist's teleautomatic control unit in their effort to overthrow the United States Government.
Even without Atomic Robo, writer Brian Clevinger still delivers a fun (if somewhat unmemorable) adventure. I like Erica Henderson's art, but at times felt like an odd choice for the tone of the comic. That said, I'm still likely to pick up the next issue. For fans.
[Red 5, $2.75]
Red Hood and the Outlaws #19
Jason Todd gets little more than a cameo here as the story focuses on Arsenal and Starfire tracking down their friend who, after surviving the Joker's final attack, left them and headed straight for the All-Caste. By the time the duo track him through the Himalayan mountains and discover the secret entrance to the home of the magical monks who continued to train Todd after he returned from the dead, Todd has already made a rash decision which will effect all three of their futures.
Red Hood and the Outlaws #19 is a mixed bag as we're given a Red Hood wiped of nearly all his memories (at his own behest). If this was where the New 52 planned on taking the character I'm not sure why they didn't just allow the Joker's final attack to do the damage.
The issue also has an odd appearance by Essence who attempts to influence Arsenal through his dreams. The point of this subplot isn't very clear (or interesting), but it's arguably better than the beyond bland blank slate of Jason Todd we're left with as the issue closes. The consequences to this issue might be interesting, but this issue is a mixed bag.
[DC, $2.99]
Red Hood and the Outlaws #19 is a mixed bag as we're given a Red Hood wiped of nearly all his memories (at his own behest). If this was where the New 52 planned on taking the character I'm not sure why they didn't just allow the Joker's final attack to do the damage.
The issue also has an odd appearance by Essence who attempts to influence Arsenal through his dreams. The point of this subplot isn't very clear (or interesting), but it's arguably better than the beyond bland blank slate of Jason Todd we're left with as the issue closes. The consequences to this issue might be interesting, but this issue is a mixed bag.
[DC, $2.99]
Monday, April 22, 2013
Man of Steel: The Animated Adventures
Check out this pretty darn good trailer that mashes up the latest Man of Steel trailer with clips from Superman: The Animated Series (even if it does remind me that Bruce Timm has left DC Animation).
The Mentalist - Red Velvet Cupcakes
The murder of a housewife who spent her free time teaching ex-cons to cook sends Jane (Simon Baker) and Lisbon (Robin Tunney) to a radio love doctor (John O'Hurley) who was acting as the marriage counselor for the victim and her husband (Chris Marrs). Meanwhile Rigsby (Owain Yeoman) and Van Pelt (Amanda Righetti) try to track down one of the victim's recently paroled students (Samantha Esteban) who slashed her tires after the teacher reported the young woman for dealing drugs.
Nova #3
Surviving his first flight as Nova, Sam Alexander returns from the moon after getting a warning of impending danger from The Watcher to get chewed out by his mother for staying out to late and find Rocket Racoon and Gamora waiting for him. Needing Sam's help, and keeping their promise to his father, Rocket and Gamora begin to train the new Nova and prepare him for what is to come (namely the fleet of Chitauri warships on their way to destroy the Earth).
I have to say I'm really enjoying this series as writer Jeph Loeb provides Sam with the right mix of joy and terror at the gift and heavy responsibility which has been laid at his feet. I still have mixed reaction to artist's Ed McGuinness version of Rocket Raccoon, but the spirit of the character is intact.
The choice to bring the Chitauri into the proper Marvel Universe (they were originally a Marvel Ultimate creation) doesn't bother me, although it is another sign of Marvel Studios directly influencing both the style and storylines of Marvel Comics. Worth a look.
[Marvel, $3.99]
I have to say I'm really enjoying this series as writer Jeph Loeb provides Sam with the right mix of joy and terror at the gift and heavy responsibility which has been laid at his feet. I still have mixed reaction to artist's Ed McGuinness version of Rocket Raccoon, but the spirit of the character is intact.
The choice to bring the Chitauri into the proper Marvel Universe (they were originally a Marvel Ultimate creation) doesn't bother me, although it is another sign of Marvel Studios directly influencing both the style and storylines of Marvel Comics. Worth a look.
[Marvel, $3.99]
R.I.P.D. trailer
We now have our first trailer for R.I.P.D. Based on the Dark Horse comic, Ryan Reynolds stars as a cop killed in the line of duty who joins the ranks of the undead police force known as the Rest In Peace Department in order catch troublesome souls refusing to move on with his new partner Sheriff Roy Pulsipher (Jeff Bridges). Kevin Bacon, James Hong, Robert Knepper, and swimsuit model Marisa Miller also star. R.I.P.D. opens July 19th.
Doctor Who - Hide
The Doctor (Matt Smith) and Clara (Jenna-Louise Coleman) arrive at Caliburn House where a former spy turned ghost hunter (Dougray Scott) and an emphatic psychic (Jessica Raine) are hunting the legendary Witch of the Well who has haunted the area even longer than the 400 years Caliburn House has stood. Intrigued, The Doctor and Clara begin their own search of the house which gives them their first glimpse of the apparition who The Doctor doesn't believe is a ghost at all.
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Star Trek Into Darkness trailer
We now have our first full-length trailer for Star Trek: Into Darkness. Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg, Anton Yelchin, John Cho, and Bruce Greenwood all return to take on the new big bad (Benedict Cumberbatch). Peter Weller, Tom Archdeacon, and Alice Eve (as Dr. Carol Marcus) also star. Star Trek: Into Darkness opens in theaters on May 17th.
XIII - Tempest
Searching for answers to the latest conspiracy surrounding him, XIII (Stuart Townsend) travels to Ariella Island to seek out a scientist with a connection to the Tesla letters. Dr. Westlund (Kenneth Welsh) and his daughter Gale (Cristina Rosato) are kept on the isolated island under a perpetual storm and armed guards to protect the scientist while he works on a top secret Tesla weapon project for HARPE. However, that's by far the only secret on the island as in his wanderings XIII discovers the grave of the scientist's real daughter (Jennifer Dzialoszynski).
Nikita - Broken Home
Things have looked better for Nikita (Maggie Q) and Michael (Shane West). Alex's (Lyndsy Fonseca) little rebellion has gotten out of her control as her co-conspirators have taken Division by force and are threatening to kill anyone who stands against them. Michael and Sean (Dillon Casey) are both locked up, unable to warn anyone that Owen (Devon Sawa) has turned and is in possession of the Black Box. As Rachel (Jessica Camacho) busies herself with emptying Division's bank accounts and providing each agent a shiny new life, Alex's other minions force Birkhoff (Aaron Stanford) to shutdown Shadownet for good making it nearly impossible for Division to find the scattered assassins after they leave the nest, which means killing Birkhoff as well.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Glee - Sweet Dreams
As New Directions puts the shooting behind them, in a variety of odd ways, to prepare for Regionals, Rachel (Lea Michele) prepares for "the culmination of every dream" she's ever had by trying out for the Broadway revival of Funny Girl, with the unexpected help of Shelby (Idina Menzel) who shows up at Miata to help her daughter land her dream role. Finn (Cory Monteith) and Puck (Mark Salling) begin a teenager's dream version of college together (all partying all the time), Coach Beiste (Dot Jones) convinces Will (Matthew Morrison) to forgive Finn, and Roz Washington (NeNe Leakes) takes over the Cheerios proving to be every bit as loudmouthed, crazy, and annoying as the departing Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch).
Harrison Ford vs. Chewbacca
Here's Harrison Ford's appearance from earlier this week on Jimmy Kimmel Live! refusing to answer any questions about Star Wars and getting into a confrontations with an old friend.
Community - Intro to Knots
Annie (Alison Brie) takes over Jeff's (Joel McHale) apartment for the Study Group's Christmas party whose guests include Chang (Ken Jeong) and Professor Cornwallis (Malcolm McDowell) who Annie hopes to win over after she discovers his plan to fail the group over their recent paper (which included an entire section where Jeff simply cut-and-pasted the lyrics for "War").
Friday, April 19, 2013
Star Wars: Episode VII - The Gauntlet of Infinity
We now have a poster for Patton Oswalt's ideal version of Star Wars Episode VII during his seven-minute filibusterer on this week's new episode of Parks and Recreation. You can find the video inside.
Uncanny X-Men #4
With the Avengers temporarily out of picture halfway around the world, Cyclops and his team head to the Jean Grey School for Girls where he, Magneto, Emma Frost, and Magik make a pitch to 's students. Although they might not get as many new recruits as Cyclops had hoped, the mission is far from a total loss as they do return home with Angel, and the Stepford Sisters (who decide to return with Emma even after engaging in a little psychic warfare with their "mother").
While the grown-ups are out recruiting, Fabio Medina, Triage, Benjamin Deeds, and Tempus get to know each other a little better, check out their new digs, learn all about the Danger Room when they accidentally activate the program, and speculate whether or not they have made the right choice joining Cyclops' team. These scenes are quite fun. Meanwhile, Magik begins experiencing troubles of her own as she is pulled through hell and back setting up what I can only assume will be the focus of the next issue (or two).
While the grown-ups are out recruiting, Fabio Medina, Triage, Benjamin Deeds, and Tempus get to know each other a little better, check out their new digs, learn all about the Danger Room when they accidentally activate the program, and speculate whether or not they have made the right choice joining Cyclops' team. These scenes are quite fun. Meanwhile, Magik begins experiencing troubles of her own as she is pulled through hell and back setting up what I can only assume will be the focus of the next issue (or two).
Oblivion
Set in the year 2013, writer/director Joseph Kosinski's Oblivion is a post-apocalyptic tale of one man's search for truth and heroism after a series of discoveries turn his world is turned upside down. Tom Cruise and Andrea Riseborough are cast as Jack and Victoria, the last two humans on the planet Earth. The team are tasked with overseeing the draining of the planet's remaining natural resources (the planet's water supply) before pulling out and joining the rest of humanity in their new home on Saturn's moon Titan.
While haunted by impossible memories from his past (we're told all agents undergo a mandatory memory wipe before being stationed) involving a beautiful woman (Olga Kurylenko) and Earth before the attack by an alien race known as Scavs, Jack performs his duty of keeping the military drones in good working order. Together with Victoria, his job is to protect the last bit of humanity's resources the aliens didn't destroy from the remaining tribes of Scavs still living on Earth who occasionally venture out to attack the giant water-vacuuming machines.
While haunted by impossible memories from his past (we're told all agents undergo a mandatory memory wipe before being stationed) involving a beautiful woman (Olga Kurylenko) and Earth before the attack by an alien race known as Scavs, Jack performs his duty of keeping the military drones in good working order. Together with Victoria, his job is to protect the last bit of humanity's resources the aliens didn't destroy from the remaining tribes of Scavs still living on Earth who occasionally venture out to attack the giant water-vacuuming machines.
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Psych - Right Turn or Left for Dead
24-hours after Lassie (Timothy Omundson) and Marlowe's (Kristy Swanson) reception which ended with Juliet (Maggie Lawson) confronting him about the truth of his psychic abilities, Shawn (James Roday) begins going over the events of the night in his mind and speculates how things might have gone differently by making a couple of different choices. As the episode unfolds we're shown two different realities. In the real series of events Shawn is forced to admit the truth to Juliet and goes home alone only to get pulled into an attempted murder case involving a young Swedish woman named Eileen (Lauriane GilliƩron) stabbed and left for dead.In the other reality, Shawn and Juliet leave the party together without ever having the talk and begin to investigate the same young woman's murder the following morning with the help of Lassie's (Timothy Omundson) new dog, Lassie Jr.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine #20
Friendship is at the crux of the latest issue of Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine as one of the Scoobies returns and another will make a choice that may leave his relationship with the Slayer forever damaged. Willow returns with a little newfound magic power (which I'm guessing she got in that recent mini-series I couldn't be bothered enough to read).
Willow's return and the return of her bestie's magic mojo gives Buffy hope that they might be able to save Dawn from the magic (or lack of) which is killing her. Still blaming Buffy for Dawn's condition, Xander is offered a second alternative to help his girlfriend. Despite dismissing the the offer, he eventually caves and agrees to help Severin and Simone get what they need to stop Twilight from ever happening (which, when you think of how monumentally Season Eight went of the rails, may not be that much of a betrayal).
I'm not sure I like Xander as Judas, especially betraying Buffy to a coldblooded killer like Simone, but I'm willing to wait and let this play out. Worth a look.
[Dark Horse, $2.99]
Willow's return and the return of her bestie's magic mojo gives Buffy hope that they might be able to save Dawn from the magic (or lack of) which is killing her. Still blaming Buffy for Dawn's condition, Xander is offered a second alternative to help his girlfriend. Despite dismissing the the offer, he eventually caves and agrees to help Severin and Simone get what they need to stop Twilight from ever happening (which, when you think of how monumentally Season Eight went of the rails, may not be that much of a betrayal).
I'm not sure I like Xander as Judas, especially betraying Buffy to a coldblooded killer like Simone, but I'm willing to wait and let this play out. Worth a look.
[Dark Horse, $2.99]
Summer Movie Preview
Head over to RazorFine Review this morning to take a gander at this year's crop of summer movies which brings us the end of the world (at least three times), post-apocalyptic futures, zombies, giant robots, sequels, monsters, super-heroes, aliens, Greek mythology, men of steel and iron, action, Minions, animated racing snails and planes, old spies back in the game, a hearty Hi-Yo Silver, and new takes on the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald and William Shakespeare. Here's a look at the big movies of the summer (with a handful of smaller films that just may be worth a look, too).
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Holy Die-Cast Batmobiles, Batman!
Celebrating the awesome that is Batman, Eaglemoss Publications is putting out a series of the Dark Knight’s favorite mode of transportation over the years – the Batmobile. “Each Batmobile die-cast vehicle comes with a unique 3-D lenticular backdrop that creates a detailed scene of the Dark Knight and his vehicle. Featuring additional metal castings for extra detail, including gadgets, each vehicle also comes with an informative 12-page magazine that looks at the history of the vehicle – and Batman himself.” Each 1:43 scale Batmobile can be yours for the low, low price of $20 a piece.
Hawaii Five-0 - Olelo Pa'a
McGarrett (Alex O'Loughlin) and Catherine (Michelle Borth) head to the North Korean border to complete a prisoner exchange and retrieve the remains off an old friend (Alan Ritchson) which leads McGarrett to think back on his SEAL training and share with Catherine the story of his final two-man mission with the SEALs to stop an arms deal between the Antoine Hesse (Norman Reedus) and the leader of terrorist organization known as Dark Sun in North Korea. That story helps explain the reason why McGarrett believes the body in the pine box can't be those of his fallen comrade and why he's dead-set on not leaving without the real remains of his friend.
The Shadow #11
The "Revolutionary" story arc comes to an end with The Shadow exposing El Rey as nothing more than a puppet of the Black Sparrow who was using the figurehead, and further destabilizing all of Spain, for nothing more than the cold hard cash lining her pocket book.
Despite the pair's obvious attraction, and the Black Sparrow's offer of partnership, The Shadow continues his role as "Fate's triggerman" by doing a dance of death with his adversary on the castle walls on last time before avoiding temptation and steeling himself for a hard decision which makes it unlikely we'll see the Sparrow again anytime soon.
I've enjoyed this arc by the series' new creative team, even if I am a bit sad to see the Sparrow go away so quickly. I do like how his decision weighs heavy on Lamont Cranston once he returns home to the comforting arms of Margo Lane. Now we'll have to wait and see what new trouble awaits his alter-ego in New York City. Worth a look.
[Dynamite Entertainment, $3.99]
Despite the pair's obvious attraction, and the Black Sparrow's offer of partnership, The Shadow continues his role as "Fate's triggerman" by doing a dance of death with his adversary on the castle walls on last time before avoiding temptation and steeling himself for a hard decision which makes it unlikely we'll see the Sparrow again anytime soon.
I've enjoyed this arc by the series' new creative team, even if I am a bit sad to see the Sparrow go away so quickly. I do like how his decision weighs heavy on Lamont Cranston once he returns home to the comforting arms of Margo Lane. Now we'll have to wait and see what new trouble awaits his alter-ego in New York City. Worth a look.
[Dynamite Entertainment, $3.99]
Keira Knightley poses with Hope for Rika
Actress Keira Knightley posed for a photoshoot with friend and photographer Emily Hope in the latest issue of Rika Magazine. You can check out more of the photos inside.
Bones - The Party in the Pants
The Jeffersonian investigates the murder of a stock broker who spent his free time moonlighting as a stripper after his remains are found at a construction site. Wendell (Michael Grant Terry) is able to ID the victim by a the serial number of his implant and Hodgins (T.J. Thyne) and Angela (Michaela Conlin) begin analyzing the singles stuffed in the man's pants for prints or DNA, hoping it might lead them to the strip club where their victim worked.