Category Archives: Reviews

Review: DC Super Hero Girls Vol. 2: Hits and Myths

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dc-super-hero-girls-vol-2“Intro to Epics” is one of Wonder Woman’s favorite classes at DC Super Hero High, but even for an overachiever, balancing high school literature assignments with learning to be a superhero can be tough. But you know what they say about learning-experience is the best teacher! So when Wonder Woman, Batgirl, Supergirl, Bumblebee, Poison Ivy, Katana, and Harley Quinn fight a cyclops, a witch, and a bevy of sirens, they’re sure to learn a thing or two about The Odyssey-if they survive their epic battle in the underworld!

I’ll admit I love DC Super Hero Girls. The concept is great. The animated videos and toys are great. And the comics that have come out have been really entertaining too.

DC Super Hero Girls: Hits and Myths is the second graphic novel in the series. Written by Shea Fontana the story is broken up into chapters as the girls attempt to get to a sleepover but Batgirl’s plane has been stolen!

The story is much more interesting than that might seem in that Fontana plays with the Odyssey giving kids their own version in some ways. She plays with that classic story updating it for kids to enjoy. And it’s really enjoyable. These kids feel like kids and the new versions of these classic characters are really fun. I think that’s something I’ve really enjoyed about the property as a whole is seeing things slightly changed. And Fontana keeps that up with an introduction of Lobo to the comic and it all works! It works because it’s fun!

Yancey Labat‘s art continues the consistent style we’ve seen run through everything. The property doesn’t vary much at all when it comes to the visuals which isn’t a bad thing at all. The character designs are top notch but Labat adds in the superheroic stances that make it visually entertaining. The heroes get solid spreads and panels with them flying, punching, and more.

A fantastic property continues to be fantastic in a new graphic novel that continues the fun. This is a perfect read for kids and adults alike and fans of the DC Super Hero Girls won’t be disappointed.

Story: Shea Fontana Art: Yancey Labat
Story: 9 Art: 9 Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: Death of X #3

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death_of_x__3In Death of X #3, Cyclops and Emma Frost start to hatch their plan and The Inhumans cross a line with the mutants.

With one more issue to go we’re getting closer to the answer as to what exactly happened that drove such a schism between the Inhumans and Mutants.

Death of X #3 continues to stretch out the story which so far feels like it could have been completed in a tighter two issues. Written by Charles Soule and Jeff Lemire, the issue balances a decent amount as forces are gathered and moves are made by the players.

There are some good things in the issue as it all flows really well and the missteps and actions feel natural. But, that’s part of the issue too, in that those missteps feel like they’ve been played out so many times in so many different media. The miscommunication ups the stress of the situation and someone accidently pulls a trigger that sets things off. It’s a pretty simple setup, but it’s done pretty well with a lot of small moments really making up the stronger whole.

Aaron Kuder and Javier Gorgón handle the pencils which I think have been pretty weak for the event. None of it is bad, but the characters feel like they’re stretched out a bit. It’s the artist’s style and my take is just a personal one. I do dig some of the panel layouts. There’s actually some really cool things that get me to take notice of the page and spend time looking at all of the small details.

I said it with the first issue, I’m waiting for the end to really see how it all ends. This has been a rather odd miniseries to read as we know where things are and this fills in the gap. Who lives? Who dies? That’s the questions this answers and the main draw for me. And in the end, it’s all prequel for the event series to come next.

Story: Charles Soule, Jeff Lemire Art: Aaron Kuder, Javier Gorgón
Story: 6.85 Art: 7.0 Overall: 6.90 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: Southern Bastards #15

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southernbastards15_coverartaTrouble is brewing in Craw County.

Roberta Tubbs has come home, and the Runnin’ Rebs have just lost their homecoming game. These parallels are not a coincidence, and Jason Aaron ties them together in a clever way. Losing the football game and the loss Roberta is feeling can both be blamed on Coach Boss. Both of these things ended very ugly, and both Roberta and Coach Boss plan to get some revenge for each of these things in their own way.

Southern Bastards #15 continues the story of not only The Tubbs family and Craw County but of Coach Boss. The Coach who has become so used to winning on and off the field has another rough day as he deals with yet another loss. Things haven’t been easy for his team since he lost his mentor and defensive coordinator, Coach Big. I won’t lie, it is fun to see Coach Boss suffer after all of the horrible things he’s done so far. While it may seem like it’s only football, to him, football is his life.

I am glad Roberta is finally home. This series puts you through the ringer unless you’re rooting for the bad guys. Jason Aaron has made us wait for another hero for the most part, and I’ll be curious to see what Roberta does as she tries to find out what happened to Earl. We’ve already got a glimpse at how capable she is as a fighter, and I’m all for seeing her beat up some more racists.

southernbastards15_coverartbWe get to see more of the Mayor and his wife, Leddy, who is running things with him being sick. This issue has some fun back and forth between former high school lovers Ms. Compson and the Sherrif. The Sheriff is becoming a very interesting character, like most in this series, and time will tell if he will truly stand up to Coach Boss, especially now that Leddy has revealed her goal.

Jason Latour has a very original art style that I really like. It is raw, and fits the book perfectly. The way he draws older angry characters like Coach Boss and Earl make me think they’re some of his favorites to draw. The arching brows, gritting teeth, and big shoulders add so much to Coach Boss. It gives you the feeling that at any minute, he’s going to bash someone’s head in. As a football fan, I also love seeing the full panels of players smashing into either other, catching a pass, or making a big play. It’s the little things that give this book the authenticity and realization that football is life to Coach Boss, and the art is a big part of that.

I love this series, and like Roberta Tubbs, I am gritting my teeth and trying to stay patient. I want to know what happens. I want to know the final score. Will a man who’s not used to losing continue to do so? Will he have to cheat to win? Is he paying too much attention to football and not enough to his other opponents? You have to wonder if Coach Boss finally has some things that he can’t beat, both on and off the field.

Story: Jason Aaron Art: Jason Latour
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Image provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: The Unworthy Thor #1

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the_unworthy_thor__1Odinson’s desperate search to regain his worthiness has taken him out into the cosmos, where he’s learned of the existence of a mysterious other Mjolnir. This weapon of unimaginable power, a relic from a dead universe, is the key to Odinson’s redemption – but some of the greatest villains of the Marvel Universe are now anxious to get their hands on it as well. Can The Odinson reclaim his honor, or will the power of thunder be wielded for evil? The quest for the hammer begins here.

Marvel really shook things up in what feels like ages ago when they changed the iconic wording of Thor’s hammer introducing a new champion and proclaiming Thor Odinson unworthy of Mjolnir. Flash forward years later and a second Mjolnir now exists in the Marvel Universe thanks to Secret Wars providing Thor a chance to reclaim his mantle. But is he worthy? Has he found redemption? Will he find redemption?

That’s the heart of this new series which will send Thor on a quest claim this hammer before others can do so themselves. And it’s a solid start as we see Thor as broken and dejected as you’d expect. He lacks direction and is pretty down on himself.

The comic has is an interesting one in that it feels more like a sci-fi series than fantasy and that’s with the issue kicking off with Thor fighting Trolls… on the moon! And that awesome tone is thanks to writer Jason Aaron who has shied away from the stereotypical fantasy take on Thor we’ve seen in the past instead giving us a blend and a sci-fi fantasy feel. And “feel” is a keyword here as Aaron gets us to really feel for Thor and the position he’s in. He’s at his lowest point and you can absolutely tell that by every word spoken.

But, what I like most is Aaron really pulling in a lot of the Marvel Universe in some cool ways. A mysterious being is put forth to send Thor on his quest and the issue ends with another being from Thor’s past as well. It’s a fun take that is forging something new while giving nods to the past.

Olivier Coipel‘s art is absolutely fantastic. Coipel is one of my favorite artists currently and my only gripe is that the art is a bit dark at times. Still, it’s beautiful to look at and as much fun to linger on the pages as it is to read Aaron’s words. Just great action and a vibe and mood that oozes off the page.

I had no idea what to expect going into this and I want more immediately after reading it. This feels like the start of an epic Thor story and I can’t wait to see what Aaron has up his sleeve.

Story: Jason Aaron Art: Olivier Coipel
Story: 8.65 Art: 9.15 Overall: 8.75 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Review: Batman #10

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bm_cv10_dsTom King likes his Batman vulnerable. That is the biggest takeaway I have noticed so far from this series, and I love it. From the first issue where he is trying to stop a plane that is going to crash into Gotham City and face his own demise, to realizing that having other heroes like Gotham and Gotham Girl around to help isn’t such a bad idea. Even the lengths of physical pain he is willing to endure to save someone show that the caped crusader is the true definition of a hero. Batman has no super power. His super power is his heart. Sure the dark knight may act cold at times, but his purpose now as an older and wiser hero is to keep not only the citizens of his city safe but the members of the bat family as well. That family now includes Gotham Girl.

Bruce has always wanted to make things right. That is part of the brilliance of his character. His whole reasoning behind being a hero in the first place is to not only avenge his parent’s death, but to make them proud of him. His honor and pride are his greatest strengths and simultaneously his greatest weaknesses. Is Batman trying to help Gotham Girl for her, or because he has to make things right? It’s something I’ve always loved about the character, because as much as he has it together, he is also somewhat of a mess. Tom King gets that, and shows it in this issue.

bm_10_1In Batman #10 we return to Santa Prisca prison, the birthplace of Bane. It was fun seeing the Batplane in a dogfight with Bane’s soldiers, and then having him take on the army in hand to hand combat once he was shot down. Once he was finally beaten to the point of crawling, Batman enters the prison to be greeted by the man who broke the bat, Bane. We don’t get the venom induced version who broke Batman’s back in Knightfall many years ago, but we do still get a very menacing version who pulls no punches.

There is a very cool storytelling technique used throughout the book where we are reading narration in what appears to be passages from a letter. I won’t spoil anything, but by the end it made me smile when I realized what was going on. It was clever, and I enjoyed being surprised by the end of the book. I cannot wait to see where “I Am Suicide” goes and why Batman picked the members he did for his team. We know he does everything for a reason, and seems one step ahead of his enemy most of the time. So it is interesting that we get an issue where he goes in fists swinging first. Batman is up to something here, and I cannot wait to see what it is.

Mikel Janin does a great job on art, and he covers a lot of distance. Whether it’s the Batplane in a dogfight ripping over the water and through the clouds, or the inside of the prison where Bane dwells in the shadows. The art is fantastic. June Chung on colors does a nice job of switching between the dull shades of the prison and the bright scenes outside.

There are some things that happen in this book, especially one, where I had to question the logic. That isn’t a bad thing because it happened in a comic book. A Batman comic book to be exact, where I find the book to be at its best when it is just a little over the top in its action and violence, and this issue certainly exceeds at both. Once I read Vision, I knew that Tom King had earned the right to make me be patient and wait to see where a story goes. I trust him on this book, and I am just along for the ride.

Story: Tom King Art: Mikel Janin Color: June Chung
Story: 9 Art: 9 Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Marvel Dice Masters: Deadpool: Agent X

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marvel-dice-masters-deadpool-agent-x-earth-2-counterpart

This November sees the newest release for WizKids‘ Dice Masters, Marvel Dice Masters: Deadpool. The set is focused on Deadpool’s world including the X-Men and Weapon X, but the set also includes some other familiar characters and the first appearance of the Inhumans team affiliation. I’ll be reviewing a card a day until the set’s release in a few weeks. But, beyond discussing the cards and how they fit into the Dice Masters game, I’ll also focus on the characters themselves and if the card reflects their comic history.

Next up is Agent X: Earth-2 Counterpart, the rare version of the card.

Art: Alvin Lee, Agent X #1

Comic origin: Created by writer Gail Simone and artist Alvin Lee in 2002, Agent X was spun out of Deadpool which at the time wasn’t selling well and got his own mini-series that lasted for 15 issues.

The character’s real name is Nijo (also known as Alex Hayden) who’s an assassin and mercenary who blamed Deadpool for his brother’s death. There’s a story that I can’t even wrap up that involves the character wanting to be the best mercenary there was and may or not actually being Deadpool. Nijo/Alex was eventually trained by Taskmaster.

His abilities include a regenerative healing factor, foreign chemical resistance, disease immunity, extended longevity, telepathic immunity, superhuman strength, superhuman stamina, superhuman agility, and superhuman reflexes.

Live action version: None

Card playability: This is an interesting one. Being able to draw a die is useful and there’s a lot of new ways to redirect or gain life. This can be great to get crucial dice and/or a way to get rid of Sidekick dice too. Also being able to field a 5A for 1 die is pretty solid, so you also get a decent attacker out of it all.

Card vs. Comic: I’m not sure there’s a big connection between the card’s ability and the character. Being able to get needed supplies fits a bit, but that’s about it.

Final Thoughts: This card could be pretty useful in a game and I can see it being added to a few decks. It’s not a fame changing card, since there’s so many ways to draw dice now, but it’ll be interesting to see how it fits in to the rest of the set which may change my final thougts on the card’s use.

 

WizKids provided Graphic Policy with FREE product for review.

TV Review: Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. S4E6 The Good Samaritan

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agents of shield season 4The shocking origin story of Robbie’s transition into Ghost Rider is revealed as the lives of Coulson and the team hang in the balance.

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is much improved after a rather dull previous episode as it really focuses on the origin of Robbie as Ghost Rider and stopping whatever happens with the Darkhold.

As the new Director looks for Robbie and Daisy to arrest them we’re given flashbacks as Robbie recounts what happened on the day he turned. It’s a really solid story as we get the same story from his and his brother’s perspective. It’s a really good way to go about it as we get where Robbie’s guilt comes from.

What I think is really solid though is all of the winks and nods the episode gives fans of Marvel. Robbie’s origin involves a certain motorcycle riding character. We’ve been told he made a deal with the devil, but it’s not the devil you’d expect. I know I got super excited to see it on screen and something I wasn’t expecting. There’s also references to Agent Carter and the Dark Force from the second season. It’s another nice wink that makes that series a bit more relevant. Finally, we get a Roxxon reference!

All of that, plus adding in some twists and turns and the episode is one of the strongest of the season by a long shot. What’s impressive is it was able to do all of that but also really move the story along the way. We have motivation for why folks want the Darkhold and some solid confrontations. A lot is packed into the episode and it all comes together smoothly as well as feeling like nothing gets short shrift.

This was a nice bounceback from last week’s episode which had me falling asleep. More of this please!

Overall Score: 8.15

TV Review: The Flash S3E5 Monster

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The Flash Season 2Caitlin visits her mother to help her understand her growing meta-human powers; Barry tries to convince Julian to let him help investigate a new meta-human that is attacking Central City.

The Flash is fun in a lot of ways in that it has team Flash going against something that’s not a meta-human, a giant monster. It’s Flash vs Kaiju! It’s hard to not totally spoil the episode, but I’ll try my best.

The big point of the episode is giving us more info on Julian and the new Harrison Wells. Julian and Barry have to team up to stop the monster. We get to learn a lot more about Julian (who I’m convinced is Dr. Alchemy), especially at the end when he’s confronted with what’s behind the monster. We get a lot of depth for a character whose entire premise before was that he didn’t like Barry.

It’s actually a touching moment at the end when the two characters talk a bunch and there’s a bit of a turn between the two. Julian seems to learn some lessons and we’ll see where it all goes from here (still think he’s Dr. Alchemy).

We also get the truth about Harrison Wells. That one I’m not going to ruin at all. It’s entertaining and this is a different take on the character which is solid.

But, the biggest thing of the episode is Caitlin and her finally becoming Killer Frost. She goes and visits her mother to discuss things and we see her losing her grip more and more. This is something comic fans have been waiting for since the series debut, but definitely for folks watching the series for a while now. There’s the bigger question is if Caitlin would be turning if this was the original timeline or this is only a Flashpoint thing. Either way, it’s solid and I can’t wait to see how the rest of the team deals with this turn.

Overall, a solid episode that shakes things up a bit getting us away from meta-humans and giving us a new villain in a giant monster… sort of. It’s a fun episode in a lot of way that gives us a lot to work with going forward.

Overall Rating: 8.15

Movie Review: Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders

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batman-return-of-the-caped-crusaders-2016-movie-posterIt’s back to the 1960s as Batman and Robin spring into action when Gotham City is threatened by a quartet of Batman’s most fiendish foes – Penguin, The Joker, Riddler and Catwoman. The four Super-Villains have combined their wicked talents to hatch a plot so nefarious that the Dynamic Duo will need to go to outer space (and back) to foil their arch enemies and restore order in Gotham City. It’s a truly fantastic adventure that will pit good against evil, good against good, evil against evil … and feature two words that exponentially raise the stakes for both sides: Replicator Ray. Holy Multiplication Tables!

Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders is the newest animated film based on DC Comic characters, but this one has a twist,, we’re back in the world of Batman ’66. Yes, the classic television show has a movie! It’s not just the characters that are returning, it’s some of the actors too. Adam West (Batman), Burt Ward (Robin) and Julie Newmar (Catwoman) are all involved providing their voices to the roles they helped defined and are celebrated all these years later.

The animated film captures the vibe created by the live action series with the “biff” “pow” and more in a psychedelic story that you just need to go with. It’s campy. It’s really campy, which is exactly what you’d expect in a Batman story. And that’s a lot of the fun of the movie as it really nails everything the classic series is loved and/or hated for. The movie is as much as an homage to the old series as it is a send-up of it as well. Scenes are taken over the top with winks and nods all throughout.

The story is out there involving duplicator rays and Batman turning evil, but that seriously doesn’t matter. If you don’t laugh at the concept of a “Batman AntiAntidote” you won’t appreciate the film at all.

It’s fantastic to hear the voices of West, Ward, and Newmar in their classic roles. There’s a weird disconnect for some as the voices sound a bit aged, but the characters obviously haven’t. Still, their readings are beyond fantastic. And those who are bringing other older characters to life are solid as well. The Joker, Penguin, Riddler, all reminded me of the classic television characters and blended seamlessly.

The movie as a whole is a solid blend of old and new and you’ll likely get excited as soon as the classic television theme starts playing. The power of animation has captured what made the show special and also allowed it to do things it’d never be able to due to the restrictions of live action. From Gotham to space and back, the movie is goofy fun that’ll put a smile on your face when it finally wraps up.

Here’s looking to more adventures to come.

Overall Rating: 8.6

Warner Bros. provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

TV Review: Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. S4E5 Lockup

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agents of shield season 4Robbie Reyes attempts to control the Ghost Rider; S.H.I.E.L.D. breaks into a high-security prison to decipher secrets.

Eli Morrow Robbie’s uncle

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is rather boring in its fifth episode as Robbie and some of SHIELD head to grab his uncle Eli Morrow from prison before the other ghosts get him instead.

The whole episode plays off of the fact people lose it when they’re infected by the ghost-like beings. That of course, gets the prisoners riled up for the eventual moment when everyone is let loose to fight the agents as they try to make their escape.

And that’s my issue with this episode. That’s about it when it comes to what happens and the whole build up until the end. It’s predictable and you can see where it’s going the entire time. There’s very little that’s exciting or shocking. Call it writing by numbers.

There is a cool moment that involves Robbie channeling his inner Ghost Rider and taking up a flaming chain. It’s something so many of us have been waiting for and we got the payoff.

But for me, that’s about it for the episode. It got us to the next thing where the end needed to be so we can get to the next episode and move the story along. For the season though, this was the most boring episode so far. Here’s hoping the next one is a bit more interesting.

Overall Score: 6.70

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