Friday, August 29, 2014
Graceland - Home
Neither the return of Johnny (Manny Montana) and Jakes (Brandon Jay McLaren) from Mexico nor the Sauce Night in their honor can scrub clean the stench of failure, suspicion, and secrets permeating Graceland. Despite finally selling Carlito's father on the plane scheme to smuggle the cartel's drugs over the border, Johnny is sick to his stomach for lying and leaving Lucia (Jamie Gray Hyder) behind. With the LAPD shutting down the human trafficking ring and killing Mike's only connection to the Solano Cartel (Jon Sklaroff), all of Mike's (Aaron Tveit) hard work goes up in smoke and Paige (Serinda Swan) is left with unanswered questions and suspicions about what really happened to the scared young girl (Marina Shtelen) she promised to get out alive.
Holding Court with Maria Sharapova
Coinciding with the start of the U.S. Open, tennis star Maria Sharapova is the cover model for the August issue of The Edit. You can find the pics from the photo shoot inside.
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Immediately Afterlife
Written and directed by Kyle Hasday and Matt Stewart, Pretty Little Liars co-stars Shay Mitchell and Troian Bellisario star in this short film about the two survivors of the final suicidal act of their religious cult.
Mortdecai trailer
Johnny Depp stars as art dealer Charles Mortdecai on the search for a stolen painting in this first trailer for the adaptation of Kyril Bonfiglioli's novels. Olivia Munn, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ewan McGregor, Paul Bettany, Aubrey Plaza, and Jeff Goldblum also star. Mortdecai opens in theaters on February 6th.
More Cosplay from San Diego Comic-Con 2014
Here's another video capturing some more cosplay from this year's San Diego Comic-Con. Some of my favorites include Groot (1:18), Elektra (1:27), Deadpool (3:16), April O'Neil (3:44), and of course Stephanie Brown's Batgirl (9:30).
Legends - Lords of War
In order to track down the missing Russian scientist (David Meunier) and his family before the man is forced to complete making the VX gas, Martin Odum (Sean Bean) assumes the role of arms dealer Dante Auerbach. Calling on an old business associate (Dominic Raines), Dante is given an introduction to the seller (Necar Zadegan) of the Chechnyans whom he must convincingly woo to get one step closer to stopping the gas from hitting the black market. In doing so he will eventually be led to the man (Alon Aboutboul) behind the scientist's kidnapping and the creation of the gas whom is prepared to sell Dante the goods provided the man proves himself first.
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Covert Affairs - Sensitive Euro Man
After making the hard call of going to the CIA with evidence that links Ryan McQuaid (Nic Bishop) to the Chicago bombing, Annie (Piper Perabo) chooses to ignore Auggie's (Christopher Gorham) advice and follow her heart which tells her that McQuaid is being set-up. With the spurned Hayley (Amy Jo Johnson) back on the case looking for a connection between the pair, McQuaid and Annie look into the motives of McQuaid's top assistant Caitlyn Cooke (Perrey Reeves) whose actions suggest she has framed her boss for one attack while planning another which only Annie can stop in time.
Magneto #8
Continuing the trend of the comic in recent months Magneto #8 features an increasing number of flashbacks and panels from Magneto's complicated past narrated through the current version's search for justice. The latest issue also offers up another group of mutant killers and traffickers for Magneto to track down leading to S.H.I.E.L.D. finally catching up with the vigilante and the reveal of the less-than-noble goal of Magneto's quest.
Kerry Ellis - Defying Gravity
Take a Broadway star and a well-known English actress and singer and mix it through a Queen filter and what do you get? You get Kerry Ellis performing a Brian May-mixed version of "Defying Gravity." Enjoy.
Pretty Little Liars - Taking This One to the Grave
The mid-season "fatale finale" lives up to its name as before the end of the episode one Liar will be arrested and one series regular won't live long enough to see the closing credits roll. Paranoia over Alison's (Sasha Pieterse) latest plans makes strange bedfellows as the Liars enlist the help of Mona (Janel Parrish) to discover just what Alison has told the police and where she has shifted suspicion concerning the death of Bethany Young. The unusual partnership culminates in Mona and Spencer (Troian Bellisario) sneaking into Radley in Charlie's Angels fashion, with the help of Aria (Lucy Hale), to find evidence that will turn the police's attention away Spencer and back on Alison who Mona believes to be A.
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Ten #6
The second arc of Season 10 begins here with Buffy and the Scoobies dealing with the harsh realities of living in a big city out of their meager price range. Offered an opportunity at a new place to live, Buffy gathers the team to help exorcise a haunted house which isn't so much haunted by ghosts as controlled by a demon who offers his victims idyllic visions of lives not lived while slowly draining their lives.
With the conclusion of the previous arc co-writer (and former Scoobie) Nicholas Brendon says goodbye leaving Christos Gage in control of the writing duties. Rebekah Isaacs is also supplanted here by Karl Moline. Although Xander's voice is lessened a bit by both the story and Brendan's abscence, neither the sound nor look of the characters is hurt by the changes.
The only surprise with the fake reality is the one character who refuses to see through the lies as Giles continues to struggle with his new reality as a teenager cut off from his old life which will likely continue to be a theme of the series going forward. Worth a look.
[Dark Horse Comics, $3.50]
With the conclusion of the previous arc co-writer (and former Scoobie) Nicholas Brendon says goodbye leaving Christos Gage in control of the writing duties. Rebekah Isaacs is also supplanted here by Karl Moline. Although Xander's voice is lessened a bit by both the story and Brendan's abscence, neither the sound nor look of the characters is hurt by the changes.
The only surprise with the fake reality is the one character who refuses to see through the lies as Giles continues to struggle with his new reality as a teenager cut off from his old life which will likely continue to be a theme of the series going forward. Worth a look.
[Dark Horse Comics, $3.50]
Elementary - The Complete Second Season
Elementary's Second Season continued to build on the modern day Sherlock Holmes' (Jonny Lee Miller) adventures in New York City by introducing new versions of classic characters, returning "The Woman" (Natalie Dormer) to trouble the detective once more, and offering plenty of mysteries for Holmes and Joan Watson (Lucy Liu) to solve.
Highlights include Holmes' return to London and introduction of Lestrade (Sean Pertwee) and Mycroft Holmes (Rhys Ifans) in the season premiere, murders surrounding an unsolvable mathematical problem, a murder from Holmes past effecting a current case, Watson discovering a link between Holmes and a girlfriend, the arrival in New York of the woman (Olivia d'Abo) who came between the Holmes brothers, Holmes considering returning to London, Holmes working to set things right after he frees a murderer from a frame job he deserved, the attack on Detective Bell (Jon Michael Hill) which threatens the man's career and friendship with Holmes, and a dinosaur.
Highlights include Holmes' return to London and introduction of Lestrade (Sean Pertwee) and Mycroft Holmes (Rhys Ifans) in the season premiere, murders surrounding an unsolvable mathematical problem, a murder from Holmes past effecting a current case, Watson discovering a link between Holmes and a girlfriend, the arrival in New York of the woman (Olivia d'Abo) who came between the Holmes brothers, Holmes considering returning to London, Holmes working to set things right after he frees a murderer from a frame job he deserved, the attack on Detective Bell (Jon Michael Hill) which threatens the man's career and friendship with Holmes, and a dinosaur.
Samurai Jack #11
Beginning a new arc, Samurai Jack #11 leads Samurai Jack to Soule the Seer who believes the samurai's enchanted blade holds the key to finally sending the time-displaced warrior home. When Soule's incantations go wrong, however, Jack is left without his trustworthy blade and the one weapon in all of creation which Aku fears.
In the comic's rotating stable of artists, Andy Suriano provides some of the series best panels with his work in Samurai Jack #11. I particularly enjoyed the Luke and Yoda style trekking as Jack carries Soule on his back to what his mistakenly believes is magical spot which will lead him home.
It will be interesting to watch "The Quest of The Broken Blade" unfold as Samurai Jack will work to restore his sword whose spirit has been lost leaving Jack more vulnerable than ever to Aku's attacks. And how soon will it take Aku to realize Jack is no longer armed with the blade? Worth a look.
[IDW, $3.99]
In the comic's rotating stable of artists, Andy Suriano provides some of the series best panels with his work in Samurai Jack #11. I particularly enjoyed the Luke and Yoda style trekking as Jack carries Soule on his back to what his mistakenly believes is magical spot which will lead him home.
It will be interesting to watch "The Quest of The Broken Blade" unfold as Samurai Jack will work to restore his sword whose spirit has been lost leaving Jack more vulnerable than ever to Aku's attacks. And how soon will it take Aku to realize Jack is no longer armed with the blade? Worth a look.
[IDW, $3.99]
Monday, August 25, 2014
Beware the Batman - Nexus
Alfred's (JB Blanc) absence begins to effect Batman (Anthony Ruivivar) as the Dark Knight pushes himself to the limits on a consistent basis with no one to pull him back from the edge. The introduction of Harvey Dent (Christopher McDonald) as the Gotham City District Attorney with a grudge against all costumed freaks including Gordon's "pet" doesn't help maters when Anarky (Wallace Langham) returns to frame Batman for a series of bombings which Dent is more than willing to attribute to the Dark Knight (even when witnessing evidence to the contrary with his own eyes).
The Multiversity #1
I'm so starved for a Captain Carrot comic I'll even read one by Grant Morrison. What has the world come to? The Multiversity launches here, and in typical Morrison fashion it's big, messy, and jumps wildly from entertaining to pretentious and crappy.
Doctor Who - Deep Breath
Post-regeneration episodes are tricky. By and large the first episodes of the new actor as The Doctor focus either on an exhausted and confused Doctor trying to discover his himself for the first time ("Time and the Rani") or resting and being out of action for much of the episode ("Castrovalva," "The Christmas Invasion"). My main takeaway from "Deep Breath," other than the fact that the jury is still out on just what kind of man the Twelfth Doctor (Peter Capaldi) will be, is reminding me how well-constructed an episode "The Eleventh Hour" was. The Fifth Series premiere works as a strong story apart from the novelty of introducing a new actor into the series' starring role. By contrast, while "Deep Breath" isn't awful, it's a far cry from the strides Matt Smith took in his first episode as the Eleventh Doctor.
Sunday, August 24, 2014
Shay Mitchell christens Nylon Español in style
For the magazine's first issue Nylon Espanol called on actress Shay Mitchell to be their first cover model. You can find pics and video from the photo shoot inside.
Teen Titans Go! - Knowledge
Tired of constant misunderstandings between herself and her teammates, a despondent Starfire (Hynden Walch) enlists the help of Raven (Tara Strong) to learn about human culture (despite the rest of the Titans worrying that Raven will turn Starfire into a total bummer). When the use of a Schoolhouse Rock! musical performance doesn't make odd human idioms any more clear, Raven relies on magic to transform her teammate by offering her all human knowledge - with disastrous results.
Jessica Alba Makes it a Sin-ful Summer for Maxim
Helping promote her role in Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, Jessica Alba is the cover girl for the September issue of Maxim. You can find the pics from her cover shoot inside.
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Young Justice - The Complete First Season
Based on the late 90s comic of the same name, Young Justice offered DC Animation a new show to focus on its teenage heroes on a slightly different Earth who weren't quite ready to fully join the Justice League. Making use of the youngsters lower profiles Batman (Bruce Greenwood) sets the group of up Robin (Jesse McCartney), Miss Martian (Danica McKellar), Aqualad (Khary Payton), Superboy (Nolan North), Kid Flash (Jason Spisak), and Artemis (Stephanie Lemelin) as a covert force.
Several DC mainstays make an appearance over the course of the First Season including Red Tornado, Black Canary, Martin Manhunter, Superman, Captain Marvel, Zatanna, and Doctor Fate. Highlights of the season include the two-part premiere involving Superboy's origins and Project Cadamus, Billy Batson saves two worlds from five powerful sorcerers, Artemis joining the team, the invasion of the cave, Zatanna and Artemis' Halloween adventure, and the season finale.
Several DC mainstays make an appearance over the course of the First Season including Red Tornado, Black Canary, Martin Manhunter, Superman, Captain Marvel, Zatanna, and Doctor Fate. Highlights of the season include the two-part premiere involving Superboy's origins and Project Cadamus, Billy Batson saves two worlds from five powerful sorcerers, Artemis joining the team, the invasion of the cave, Zatanna and Artemis' Halloween adventure, and the season finale.
Sin City: A Dame to Kill For
It's been nine years since Robert Rodriguez teamed with Frank Miller to bring Miller's Sin City to life. Producing the most faithful comic book movie to date while still finding a way to add value and improve the source material with stylistic choices that continue to make the film visually unique nearly a decade later, I thought enough of the film to make it one of my Top 10 Films of 2005.
Friday, August 22, 2014
Franklin & Bash - Kershaw v. Linecum
While working to get Infeld's (Malcolm McDowell) licence to practice law reinstated, and stop the bleeding caused by the number of clients jumping ship, Franklin (Breckin Meyer) and Bash (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) get stuck handling a divorce case between their client (Kate Beahan) and their pal the plastic surgeon (Willie Garson) who illegally sublets office space for them to help make ends meet. Although their case is even flimsier than usual, the discovery of a photograph of the doctor's ex-girlfriend provides the key to victory.
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Legends - Chemistry
The second episode of Legends finds Martin Odum (Sean Bean) readjusting to his life back home as the team deals with the kidnapping of a high school chemistry teacher (who was once a Russian chemical weapons designer) named Richard Hubbard (David Meunier) and his family abducted by the Chechen mafia posing as police officers who plan to put the man's expertise back to use.
Perception - Dirty
The the mid-season finale Donnie (Scott Wolf) gets himself, and Daniel Pierce (Eric McCormack) whom he calls for help, in a pickle when the Assistant District Attorney wakes up in bed with his dead campaign manager (Brooke Nevin). Although Pierce is quickly released from custody, Donnie faces serious murder charges when his toxicology screen comes back showing no evidence to support his claim of being drugged and set-up. Kate's (Rachael Leigh Cook) own worries about Donnie cheating again, along with her husband's blackout and bloodstained clothes, don't help the situation.
Justice League United #4
The comic's five-issue opening arc comes to a close with the team's return from Rann, but two members don't make the trip. I was surprised to see Hawkman's death not quickly reversed, and given his new connection to Alanna and the Zeta Beam the safest place for Adam Strange is Rann meaning the comic has lost two of its core members before ever getting started.
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Covert Affairs - Spit on a Stranger
After witnessing an innocuous conversation between Ryan McQuaid (Nic Bishop) and a man who Annie (Piper Perabo) believes may have been responsible for murder of her last chance at discovering the truth behind the Chicago bombing, the now-benched CIA operative takes the initiative to publicly resign from the agency and accept a job within McQuaid Security to discern the truth about a man she's already begun falling for. She won't like what she finds.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: New Animated Adventures #14
Playing on the Donatello's well-established crush on April (both in the comic and current cartoon), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: New Animated Adventures #14 finds the smartest Turtle get into trouble in an attempt to create a pheromone spray to cause April to return his feelings. Things go wrong pretty quickly for Donatello as the spray doesn't effect April but does cause the various bugs in the sewers and New York streets to seek out the Turtle leaving his brothers to clean up the mess.
Pretty Little Liars - No One Here Can Love or Understand Me
Confession is the theme heading into next week's summer finale as the Liars prepare to come clean to Lt. Tanner (Roma Maffia) about Alison's (Sasha Pieterse) lies (only to be stopped by A's latest threats), Melissa (Torrey DeVitto) leaves a message for Spencer (Troian Bellisario) shedding new light on the night Bethany Young died and the layers of lies in the Hastings family that spun out of those events, and, forced by an intervention with Spencer and Toby (Keegan Allen), Caleb (Tyler Blackburn) comes clean with Hanna (Ashley Benson) about the bizarre goings on in Ravenswood which continue to haunt him.
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Smallville Season Eleven: Chaos #1
The first issue of Smallville Season Eleven: Chaos introduces Eclipso to the Smallville Universe and relocates Superman and Lois Lane to a parallel Earth within the Multiverse (which sadly is populated with Manhunters instead of talking animals in spandex). There's a lot to enjoy here including appearances by Ted Kord and Booster Gold (who, like his New 52 counterpart, feels a bit off without his gold pants and Elvis collar) along with Zatanna and a bit of old school super-villain mischief from Lex Luthor.
Once Upon a Time - The Complete Third Season
Season Three took characters to Neverland, the Enchanted Forest, Oz, and back home to Storybrooke. It featured a second curse, a missing year, the deaths and resurrections of multiple characters, and the introduction of both a sister (Rebecca Mader) and love interest (Sean Maguire) for Regina (Lana Parrilla).
The second-half of the season centered around a character from Oz works better than the Neverland arc which grows a bit stale as Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison) and her family attempt to save Henry (Jared Gilmore) from Peter Pan (Robbie Kay). Highlights from the season include the time-traveling season finale, Regina taking another step on her hero's journey, Hook's (Colin O'Donoghue) time away from Storybrooke, the escape from Neverland, a battle between sisters, the death and the return of Rumpelstiltskin (Robert Carlyle), and Regina and Zelena's first meeting.
The second-half of the season centered around a character from Oz works better than the Neverland arc which grows a bit stale as Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison) and her family attempt to save Henry (Jared Gilmore) from Peter Pan (Robbie Kay). Highlights from the season include the time-traveling season finale, Regina taking another step on her hero's journey, Hook's (Colin O'Donoghue) time away from Storybrooke, the escape from Neverland, a battle between sisters, the death and the return of Rumpelstiltskin (Robert Carlyle), and Regina and Zelena's first meeting.
Astro City #14
The first-half of a two-part story, Astro City #14 introduces the character of Ellie who has spent the last several years creating something between a scrap yard and museum of former super-villain machines which she has slowly nursed back to health. Despite the once dangerous nature of the robots, Ellie's desire to fix her metal friends are inspired by only good intentions. Sadly the same can't be said of her nephew who sees a way to make the robots far more profitable in the short term.
Monday, August 18, 2014
Worlds' Finest #26
The Huntress and Power Girl's return to Earth-2 begins here. I'm on record as being vehemently against the move. Although the Worlds' Finest #26 doesn't sell me on the concept it at least doesn't lose its way by delving headfirst into a war-torn new world. It's actually odd, but we see very little of the modern day homeworld of the two heriones in their first issue back home.
Beware the Batman - Reckoning
Wrapping up the three episode arc, "Reckoning" forces Katana (Sumalee Montano) to face the truth about Alfred (JB Blanc), pits Batman (Anthony Ruivivar) not only against Ra's al Ghul (Lance Reddick) and the League of Assassins but also a collection of recently-freed super-villains who are sent after the Dark Knight by the Demon's Head, and offer the newest unofficial member of the Bat-Family a chance to shine. Before the episode ends, with the help of his friends, Batman will stand triumphant over not only the League of Assassins but also Professor Pyg (Brian George) and Mr. Toad (Udo Kier), Magpie (Grey DeLisle), Tobias Whale (Michael-Leon Wooley), Phosphorus Rex (Greg Ellis), and Cypher.
Star Wars #20
Dark Horse Comics' classic Star Wars series comes to a close here wrapping up the final arc as Han, Luke, Leia, and Chewbacca race to rescue Leia's childhood friend who has been working for years as a Rebel spy inside the Empire. Rescuing Seren from the determined robotic bounty hunter IG-88 is easier said than done, but by the end of the issue the core group is safe, the mission is successful, and Luke shows off a little foreshadowing of the Jedi Master he is destined to one day become.
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Palm Sunday with Shay
Taken from a recent entry from the actress' relaunched lifestyle blog, here's Shay Mitchell showing off some palm tree inspired fashion.
Rage
If you expect anything more from Rage than yet another throwaway B-movie from Nicolas Cage you are bound to be disappointed. Set around the life of a former mobster turned businessman, the film follows the decent of Paul Maguire (Cage) when his teenage daughter (Aubrey Peeples) is kidnapped and later found dead.
Saturday, August 16, 2014
All-New X-Men #30
After (finally) wrapping up the Xavier and the Future Brotherhood of Mutants storyline last month, All-New X-Men takes a break and gives the characters a chance to breathe. All-New X-Men #30 deals primarily with the state of two relationships, one which has been brewing for several months and the other which turns out to be a pleasant surprise.
Selena Gomez’s Signature style for Fall
Adidas NEO called on Selena Gomez to promote the Selena Gomez's Signature Collection's Fall line. You can find the pics from the photo shoot inside.
Rio 2
2011's Rio was a colorful (if mostly by the numbers) film featuring a domesticated Spix Macaw (Jesse Eisenberg) who finds himself stuck in the wider world in your basic fish (or in this case bird) out of water storyline. The sequel doesn't stray far from the original as Blu (Eisenberg) once again is put in uncomfortable new surroundings only to eventually prove he has what it takes to survive and thrive.
After the discovery of other Macaws, Blu and Jewel (Anne Hathaway) head into the Amazon with their children (Rachel Crow, Amandla Stenberg, Pierce Gagnon) where Blu finds it increasingly hard to fit in (and that's before meeting Jewel's disapproving father). Once again the movie gives us both human and bird enemies, unnecessarily returning Jemaine Clement as the vengeance-obsessed Nigel, along with the supporting cast of the first film and a few new faces (most notably Kristin Chenoweth as a poisonous tree frog) as well.
After the discovery of other Macaws, Blu and Jewel (Anne Hathaway) head into the Amazon with their children (Rachel Crow, Amandla Stenberg, Pierce Gagnon) where Blu finds it increasingly hard to fit in (and that's before meeting Jewel's disapproving father). Once again the movie gives us both human and bird enemies, unnecessarily returning Jemaine Clement as the vengeance-obsessed Nigel, along with the supporting cast of the first film and a few new faces (most notably Kristin Chenoweth as a poisonous tree frog) as well.
Friday, August 15, 2014
The Blacklist - The Complete First Season
When the FBI's most wanted turns himself over to authorities and agrees to help them catch infamous villains (many of whom the government isn't even aware of) the life of Agent Elizabeth Keen (Megan Boone) changes in a flash as she finds herself in a world of secrets, half-truths, and lies concerning all aspects of Raymond Reddington (James Spader) and why the master criminal chose her as his liason to the FBI.
The set collects all 22 episodes of the show's First Season in which Reddington leads the team (Harry Lennix, Diego Klattenhoff, Parminder Nagra, Hisham Tawfiq) to take down a member of The Blacklist every week while Lizzie deals with ugly truths in her own life which Reddington's prescence brings to light - including the truth of her husband Tom (Ryan Eggold). The uneven First Season is a bit too secretive for its own good (much like Red), but does produces some strong episodes.
The set collects all 22 episodes of the show's First Season in which Reddington leads the team (Harry Lennix, Diego Klattenhoff, Parminder Nagra, Hisham Tawfiq) to take down a member of The Blacklist every week while Lizzie deals with ugly truths in her own life which Reddington's prescence brings to light - including the truth of her husband Tom (Ryan Eggold). The uneven First Season is a bit too secretive for its own good (much like Red), but does produces some strong episodes.
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Franklin & Bash - The Curse of Hor-Aha
Kicking off the show's Fourth Season, Franklin & Bash returns with some notable absences. With Rachel (Heather Locklear) moving on to greener pastures and Infeld (Malcolm McDowell) facing serious charges, control of the firm has fallen on the shoulders of Franklin (Breckin Meyer) and Bash (Mark-Paul Gosselaar). It seems the inmates are in fact now running the asylum. Along with Locklear's exit, the premiere is also missing series regulars Dana Davis and Kumail Nanjiani as the Peter and Jared's go-to investigator Carmen and hypochondriac helper Pindar who have both, apparently, left the show with big holes to fill.
Fairest #28
Continuing to mirror the events in Fables as both series move towards their end, Fairest #28 offers more of the animal uprising on The Farm where the non-human creatures demand the glamours promised to them. The creation of a handful of glamours chosen by lottery passifies the angry mob (at least for now).
In the comic's other story, we witness Reynard be forcefully rejected by Snow White only to find some love, and much more trouble, on a farm not far removed from the Fables' home.
Fairest #28 is a solid issue, but it still lacks the strong female lead that the series was built upon (unless Reynard's new love interest turns out to be more than she seems) making it feel much more like an issue of Fables which bothers me a bit as the spin-off doesn't look like its going to get a chance to go out on its own terms. A short interlude focused on the odd Mr. Webb is actually far more interesting than either of the main plotlines of the issue. For fans.
[Vertigo, $2.99]
In the comic's other story, we witness Reynard be forcefully rejected by Snow White only to find some love, and much more trouble, on a farm not far removed from the Fables' home.
Fairest #28 is a solid issue, but it still lacks the strong female lead that the series was built upon (unless Reynard's new love interest turns out to be more than she seems) making it feel much more like an issue of Fables which bothers me a bit as the spin-off doesn't look like its going to get a chance to go out on its own terms. A short interlude focused on the odd Mr. Webb is actually far more interesting than either of the main plotlines of the issue. For fans.
[Vertigo, $2.99]
Perception - Silence
Kate (Rachael Leigh Cook) calls in Daniel Pierce (Eric McCormack) after sniper's (Chris Coy) attack on a Federal building injures one agent and a second shooting less than 24-hours later leaves another dead. The numeric scribbling left behind by the sniper makes Pierce believe their shooter may be suffering from both Arithmomania and Hypergraphia along with an irrational fear of X-rays and radio waves which led to the attack. Pierce's own discomfort and distrust of big brother is revisited here as his own experiences will be instrumental in finding a sniper who actually didn't mean anyone harm.
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Covert Affairs - Grounded
With Annie's (Piper Perabo) secret revealed, Annie, Joan (Kari Matchett), and Calder (Hill Harper) all find themselves the subject of governmental hearings as to what else Miss Walker may have been hiding besides her medical condition which even puts the the recent win of taking down Nathan Mueller (Max Martini) into question. Despite being put on desk duty and preparing to testify in front of those who control her future with CIA, Annie's attention is split when she's contacted by Auggie's (Christopher Gorham) conspiracy nut asset who reports to have information about who was really behind the Chicago bombing.
Grayson #2
The second-issue of Dick Grayson's new series featuring Batman's former partner working undercover as an agent for a shadow spy organization known as Spyral finds Grayson and Helena Bertinelli after the mad-scientist inventor of a bizarre piece of technology known as an "enhanced stomach" which has gifted the woman with super-speed but also turned her into a bloodthirsty cannibal.
Pretty Little Liars - A Dark Ali
While Emily (Shay Mitchell) and Ezra (Ian Harding) both attempt to convince Alison (Sasha Pieterse) not to take A's bait and finger the man who has come forward to accept responsibility for her kidnapping (which never happened) along with the murders of Alison's mother and Bethany Young, the other Liars worry about what exactly A has planned. Not able to convince the rest of the group to use Shana's (Aeriel Miranda) evidence of Alison's movements during her supposed captivity, Spencer (Troian Bellisario) turns her attention back to Melissa (Torrey DeVitto) and the secrets under her own roof as the series offers another emotional scene between sisters who can't quite bring themselves to trust each other with the truth.
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Rocket Raccoon #2
Although I'm a little fuzzy on the reason why, Rocket Raccoon's big plan to clear his name begins by turning himself over to the authorities and getting thrown into one of the worst prisons of the known galaxy. Of course that's where things get interesting as with the help of a certain wooden stowaway the raccoon gets into all kinds of mischief including a prolonged prison-break montage.
Divergent
Based on the young adult novel by Veronica Roth, Divergent cashes in on several of the same themes that made The Hunger Games a box office success. Casting Shailene Woodley as Tris, the plucky young heroine in a dystopian future, the movie follows a similar formula of class warfare and child warriors.
In a world where people are grouped into five castes, each centered around a specific ideal, Tris reaches the age of choosing in which she decides to forgo a life of servitude to become a warrior. Her choice is heavily influenced by the fact that Tris, unlike the vast majority of the population, has a genetic code that doesn't fit neatly into any one of the particular factions.
Hiding her divergence from both friends and enemies, Tris trains to become a member of Dauntless, but to succeed in becoming a full member of the faction she'll have face the truth about herself and keep anyone else from learning her secret.
In a world where people are grouped into five castes, each centered around a specific ideal, Tris reaches the age of choosing in which she decides to forgo a life of servitude to become a warrior. Her choice is heavily influenced by the fact that Tris, unlike the vast majority of the population, has a genetic code that doesn't fit neatly into any one of the particular factions.
Hiding her divergence from both friends and enemies, Tris trains to become a member of Dauntless, but to succeed in becoming a full member of the faction she'll have face the truth about herself and keep anyone else from learning her secret.
Detective Comics #34
The opening arc of new creative team Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato comes to a close as Batman's fight with the Kings of the Sun ends with Batman victorious but Annie Aguila's own battle and path of vengeance is a bittersweet reminder that not everyone in Gotham City can be saved.
Monday, August 11, 2014
Usagi Yojimbo: Senso #1
Finally the wait is over. After a two-year absence Stan Sakai returns with a new Usagi Yojimbo story. Released in time to help celebrate the 30th anniversary of the rabbit ronin, the first issue of Usagi Yojimbo: Senso jumps 20 years into the future of the character with Usagi now serving the fully grown Lord Noriyuki whose armies battle those of the treacherous Lord Hikiji.
San Diego Comic Con (SDCC) - Cosplay Music Video
Here's another music video montage featuring cosplay from this year's San Diego Comic-Con. WARNING: Language at the beginning of the video is NSFW. Some of my favorites include Shredder (:13), Mystique (:16), Rocket Raccoon and Star-Lord (:22 & :41), The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (:28), Raven (:34), Sinne Doll's Red Sonja (:59), Psylocke (1:04), Snow White Boba Fett (1:10), Xena (1:19), Bat-villains (2:03), Vampy Bit Me's Nightwing (2:09), Thor and Loki (2:45), Castle Corsetry's Harley Quinn (3:18), Stella Chuu's Supergirl (3:40), Chubear Cosplay's Wonder Woman (4:09), and Chun-Li (4:14).
Legendary Star-Lord #2
Marvel Comics' unsubtle move to further turn Star-Lord into the Han Solo of the Marvel Universe goes into overdrive here as the second issue of the solo-series focuses on the character's scruffy, smuggler with a heart of gold nature. Making an uneasy alliance with his half-sister, Star-Lord infiltrates a bounty hunter's lair as a prisoner, nearly gets eaten by something that looks an awful lot like the Sarlacc Pit (although is revealed to be more than meets the eye), and manages to escape with a pocketful of credits.
Mentioned in the first issue of the comic, Legendary Star-Lord #2 offers us the first look at the villainous Mr. Knife (who we will no doubt be seeing more of), while also developing the relationship between Peter Quill and the sister he never knew he had.
Disconnected from the rest of the Marvel Universe (or the Guardians own continuity) the opening two issues have provided some fun but they also showcase why Peter Quill works better with partners rather than in Solo (pun intended) missions. Hit-and-Miss.
[Marvel, $3.99]
Mentioned in the first issue of the comic, Legendary Star-Lord #2 offers us the first look at the villainous Mr. Knife (who we will no doubt be seeing more of), while also developing the relationship between Peter Quill and the sister he never knew he had.
Disconnected from the rest of the Marvel Universe (or the Guardians own continuity) the opening two issues have provided some fun but they also showcase why Peter Quill works better with partners rather than in Solo (pun intended) missions. Hit-and-Miss.
[Marvel, $3.99]