Movie Monday - R.I.P.D.

What if you took Ghost and crossed it with Men in Black? Well, you'd get R.I.P.D.




Director: Robert Schwentke

Writer: Phil Hay, Matt Manfredi, David Dobkin

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Bacon, Mary-Louise Parker, Stephanie Szostak

Release: 2013

Nick Walker, Boston police detective, has made a few mistakes – namely, taking evidence from a crime scene in the hopes that he might be able to get enough money to live comfortably with his wife, Julia. But when he begins to have second thoughts, his partner Hayes steps in and kills him. That's not the end of Nick, as he gets offered a position with the Rest In Peace Department, the afterlife law enforcement that hunt down the souls of those who have died but refuse to leave Earth. And it looks like Nick and his new partner Roy have stumbled onto something a lot bigger than anyone suspected and it has to do with the evidence Nick got killed for.

THE SQUEE

• Ryan Reynolds is comedic genius, always has been, always will be. He doesn't get to cut loose in this, but it's still entertaining to watch.
• Jeff Bridges chews the scenery like it's going out of fashion – he's over-the-top and almost steals the 'main character' status from Ryan Reynolds. The same goes for Kevin Bacon; he takes a pretty standard role in a sci-fi action movie and makes it fun.
• There are some really solid special effects throughout the film, from the frozen time people experience as they die, to the grotesque shapes that the corrupt dead souls take on. There are some parts that aren't as well done, but those can be ignored easily. It's on the same level as the first Men in Blackfilm.

THE SUCK

• That is actually the major problem with this movie; it's trying REALLY hard to be Men in Black. That's understandable – the source material is incredibly similar to the Men in Black concept but the plot is almost directly comparable. The only major difference is that Nick tries to return to his previous life whereas J pretty quickly gives up his. For the most part, the humour is pretty close to Men in Black too; Ryan Reynolds doesn't quite have the attitude of Will Smith (mainly because his character treats the whole thing as SERIOUS BUSINESS) but he gives it a valiant attempt.
• There are some weak points in the humour too. The running gag of how Nick and Roy appear to the living gets old fast – it's basically one joke (Jeff Bridges looks like Marisa Miller, a Victoria's Secret model!) and it gets used again and again and again for no real reason. I guess it could be to remind the audience that Nick will appear different to his wife now he's dead but that's been done before much better – check out Dead Like Me for a great example.
• The major plot of the film feels incredibly generic. The first third as Nick gets accustomed to his new existence is interesting and then it suddenly falls into a trough where things seem to happen without a great deal of explanation. Yes, everything has a reason, but not a great deal of motivation. It's a shame that they didn't follow the source material where the antagonist are souls escaping from Hell as part of a plot to overthrow Satan.

There's a lot of potential in this film. I think it would have made an amazing TV series (but might have cost a lot of money) but as a movie it's only so-so. I really do recommend reading the stand alone series that Dark Horse produced and that the film is based on.

R.I.P.D. - Peter Lenkov – 9781616550714 - $24.99 – 104 pages

Sunday Spotlight - September Recommendations

Justice League Dark vol. 4: The Rebirth of Evil - Jeff Lemire - 9781401247256 - $24.99  - 192 pages
Wonder Woman requests the aid of the Justice League Dark – the magicians, sorcerers and supernatural heroes of the DC universe to help her find Pandora’s Box, the only item she believes can save the dying Superman. But Pandora’s Box is hidden for a reason, and the Phantom Stranger must race to convince the other heroes that Wonder Woman must be stopped before she releases the evil that Pandora’s Box hides.


Constantine vol. 2 - Ray Fawkes - 9781401247478 - $24.99 - 144 pages
. Things are not going well for John Constantine – his stash of hidden mystical weapons has been stolen and are now being used against him. He must battle the thieves with the most powerful weapon he has left – his mind. John Constantine’s original series, Hellblazer, was one of the longest running comics Vertigo ever had, and now he’s been relaunched in the New 52.


Batman: Arkham Unhinged vol. 3: End Game - Derek Fridolfs - 9781401246808 - $24.99 - 232 pages
Tying in with the bsetselling Batman: Arkham video game series, the Arkham Unhinged books are great side stories for fans of the games. With part of Gotham City walled off by Hugo Strange in an attempt to create a new prison, criminals are free to run wild. But some semblance of society and justice remain, and the Joker has been placed on trial – by Two-face, who is both prosecutor and judge. Batman must make the choice to save his most hated foe or let injustice be done.


Batman: Earth One - Geoff Johns - 9781401232092 - $22.99 - 144 pages
In the same style as the bset-selling Superman: Earth One series, Geoff Johns re-imagines the Dark Knight for a new generation. Bruce Wayne takes his first steps as Batman in a bleak and corrupt Gotham City. His lust for vengeance against the man that killed his parents and the crooked police officers that allowed the criminal to go free may overwhelm him and he must walk a fine line between vigilante and criminal. Aided by his family butler Alfred, Bruce must overcome numerous obstacles in his quest for revenge. But can he contain the anger against a harsh world where retribution may be the closest thing to justice anyone can hope for?


Green Lantern New Guardians vol. 4: Gods and Monsters - Justin Jordan - 9781401247461 - $29.99 - 208 pages
Kyle Rayner is in a difficult situation. The Templar Guardians have recruited him to their cause, despite his reluctance, dragging him to the edge of the known universe, claiming he is the only one with the power to stop the growing threat. But once Kyle gets there, his reluctance may dissolve once he understands the true nature of the menace lurking in the dark between the galaxies.


Trillium - Jeff Lemire - 9781401249007 - $29.99 - 192 pages
Nika Temsith is a botanist in the 38th century, searching for a rare flower on the edge of civilized space that holds the cure to the plague sweeping the galaxy. She has just convinced the indigenous tribe to allow her access to their temple. Stepping through, she finds herself in a strange jungle. William Pike is a WW1 veteran suffering severe PTSD. With his explorer brother, he has ventured into deepest Peru searching for a lost pyramid. After an encounter with hostile natives, William reaches the pyramid, only to find a strangely dressed woman stepping out. Nika and William’s lives are about to cross, but their new-found romance threatens the fabric of the entire universe.


The Flash vol. 3: Gorilla War - Francis Manapul  & Brian Buccellato - 9781401247126 - $29.99 - 176 pages
The Flash is used to dealing with criminals like Captain Cold and the Mirror Master – rogues who are only interested in money but possessing crude cunning. The Flash consistently runs rings around them. But when the army of Gorilla Grodd invades Central City, the Flash finds himself severely outmatched. Grodd is a vicious killer, willing to destroy anyone who gets in his way. The Flash may have to ally himself with the very same villains he’s spent most of his career capturing, if he is going to keep Central City safe. Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato  have had an amazing run on The Flash, combining fantastic art with solid storytelling.


The Flash vol. 4: Reverse - Francis Manapul - 9781401247133 - $39.99 - 176 pages
The mysterious Speed Force killer has left a trail of bodies in his wake, always staying one step ahead of the Flash no matter how Barry Allen tries to track him down. The Flash will have to rely on his allies, including Kid Flash, if he is going to have any hope of facing the killer. But when he does, can he overcome one of his greatest foes – the Reverse Flash? This will be the last volume written by Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato before a new team takes over.


Fables vol. 20: Camelot - Bill Willingham - 9781401245160 - $34.99 - 240 pages
The warriors of Fabletown must set forth on a quest to reassemble the shattered pieces of their once-great community. Rose Red claims the mantle of the Paladin of Hope as a new Dark Age calls for a new Round Table of mythic knights. Drawing on myths, folklore and fairy tales, the Fables series has received 14 Eisner awards over the years and is finally drawing to a close. Great for fans of Once Upon a Time, the series followed the dramas of those Fables who had escaped their homelands and the evil that threatens their continued existence.


Fairy Tail 41 - Hiro Mishima - 9781612624372 - $16.99
After 41 volumes, there’s still no sign of fatigue in the series. Highly enjoyable and great for anyone who wants stories of epic quests in a world of high magic. The titular ‘Fairy Tail’ guild always ends up in intriguing adventures that keep readers coming back. Plots and character arcs have been intricately developed by the creator, which makes this one of the best manga series available.


Attack on Titan 13 - Hajime Isayama - 9781612626796 - $17.99 - 200 pages
The next volume in the phenomenally successful Attack on Titan series. The books consistently top bestseller lists, not only in Japan but also in the United States. With an anime series currently available on DVD and a live-action film in the works, Attack on Titan has become the must-have new title. It is currently one of the best-selling graphic novels in Australia as well. With a heavy mix of drama and action, this series is best for older teenagers who can handle some of the darker themes the series delves into.

Wednesday Weirdness - Pop

Wednesday Weirdness is the day when we remember that sometimes, comics are just downright WEIRD! We take individual panels and present them out of context. If you’ve got a panel you’d like to submit, you can do so here.


Pop #1, 2014, Curt Pires (writer), Jason Copland (artist)

Sunday Spotlight - Buffy Season 8

Buffy the Vampire Slayer was one of the most popular shows when it was on. Seven years of chronicling the adventures of the Slayer and her friends were just not enough, so when it was announced in 2001 that Dark Horse would be continuing the series in comic form, with original creator Joss Whedon producing, fans were ecstatic.



Following the destruction of Sunnydale and the awakening of every potential Slayer on the planet, Buffy Summers has become a leader to the vast army of young women who have suddenly received superpowers. Travelling the world, the Slayer army does what they can to protect the rest of humanity from the demons and vampires that previously only inhabited the shadows. A new threat, known only as Twilight, has risen and is hunting the Slayers down. Buffy must rally her forces and overcome this new foe. She also has to deal with the feelings of her heart, the doubts of her allies and for some reason her little sister is now a giant.

As much as I love the writing from this series, the real highlight is Georges Jeanty's art. It manages to capture the spirit of the actor that originally played the character, as well as their image. While not exact images of the actors, there is enough of a resemblance that they're easily recognisable. The art really captures the mood of each story, sometimes brooding, sometimes light-hearted but always outstanding.

One of the benefits of the story continuing through comics rather than another medium is that there are no budget constraints. There have always been comic tie-in stories to the Buffy series but they were secondary stories. Having the main story now told through this format means that there is a massive scope to use. Entire worlds can be created, invasions and battles and astounding feats of acrobatics all shown that would have been incredibly difficult (and costly) to film. Another strength is the arc format that Buffy has always had – it is quite easy to transfer this format to comics. Each issue is an act, each book is an episode, each arc is a season. Season ten has just begun and is continuing the tradition of great story-telling.

Buffy: the Vampire Slayer Season 8 vol. 1 – The Long Way Home – 9781593078225 - $27.99 – 136 pages

Wednesday Weirdness - Formerly Known as the Justice League

Wednesday Weirdness is the day when we remember that sometimes, comics are just downright WEIRD! We take individual panels and present them out of context. If you’ve got a panel you’d like to submit, you can do so here.


Formerly Known as the Justice League #4, 2003, Keith Giffen & J.M. DeMatteis (writers), Kevin Maguire (artist)

Movie Monday: Superman/Batman: Public Enemies

Director: Sam Liu

Writer: Stan Berkowitz

Starring: Kevin Conroy, Tim Daly, Clancy Brown, Allison Mack, John C. McGinley, LeVar Burton, CCH Pounder

Release: 2009

Lex Luthor has (somehow) been elected President of the United States, building a government-sponsored group of superheroes. Batman and Superman remain distrustful and this is only reinforced when Luthor uses Metallo's death following a battle with Superman to frame the Man of Steel for Metallo's murder. Batman and Superman are forced to go on the run, hunted by both former allies and villains who are eager to collect the bounty offered.

Meanwhile, a kryptonite asteroid gets closer and closer to Earth. Refusing aid from superheroes, President Luthor attempts to use nuclear weapons to destroy it. When this fails, he decides that it will be easier to rebuild civilisation after the asteroid has destroyed it. When Batman and Superman learn of this, they must find a way to stop Luthor, the asteroid and clear their names. But with allies and enemies on their tails, they may not have enough time.

Adapted from the Jeph Loeb story of the same name, Superman/Batman: Public Enemies, the film features the voice actors that had become iconic for voicing the characters in the animated series, but the film isn't directly associated with those series beyond this. Conroy and Daly have really captured the spirit of both Batman and Superman over the years to the point where it seems almost unnatural to hear someone else playing either of them.

The story itself is just as convoluted as the comic it comes from, but it features some great action sequences. As an adaptation, it's superb – save for a few minor changes, it's basically the same story. This is great for people who loved the book and want to see it as a movie, but it's not a perfect jumping off point for newcomers. It does rely heavily on knowledge of the characters from other sources – which to be fair, if you're buying a direct-to-DVD animated movie about Superman and Batman on the run, you probably have an idea who they are.

Honestly, I think this film is better for younger audiences and truly devoted fans. While the acting is amazing and it's great to see well-made adaptations (and all of the DC animated films are amazing adaptations), this is one that it's probably best to just read the book.

Superman/Batman: Public Enemies – 9781401248185 - $32.99 – 336 pages

Sunday Spotlight - Dead Boy Detectives

Originally from the pages of Neil Gaiman's Sandman, the Dead Boy Detectives have previously had graphic novels written about them, and also appeared in the massive crossover Vertigo had, before they decided not to do those any more. Now, Edwin and Charles, the Dead Boy Detectives, have their own on-going series that has recently been released in trade paperback.



Edwin Paine and Charles Rowland are dead. They both died at the boarding school St. Hilarion's – Edwin in 1916 and Charles in 1990. However, Death was a little busy at the time, and so both boys lingered on, travelling the world as ghosts. To occupy their time, they formed a detective agency – the Dead Boy Detectives. Sometimes they find missing cats, sometimes lost objects. But now they've stumbled onto a much bigger case – they foiled a daring art theft and managed to save Crystal Palace, the teenaged daughter of two prominent celebrity artists. Unfortunately, Crystal saw them and realises that they must be ghosts (she's quite taken with the idea, in fact). She decides to head to St. Hilarion's to investigate further. Edwin and Charles follow, well aware of the horrors that lurk in St. Hilarion's halls, since those are what killed the boys so many years before. Now, they must try to protect Crystal – and possibly discover the truth about their own deaths along the way.

I'll admit to being a fan of the concept of the Dead Boy Detectives since I first saw them in Sandman. Two ghostly boys meandering through the afterlife and solving crimes? It's the Hardy Boys with ectoplasm! When I learned that the artist would be Mark Buckingham, I was sold on the new series. I love Buckingham work on Fables, and he brings the same level of quality to this book too. He melds the fantastic and the mundane superbly, making him a great choice to bring Toby Litt's story to life. Speaking of the story, it has a great mix of “boy's own adventure” coupled with some really dark horror themes that work well with the shared universe of Sandman. Edwin, Charles and Crystal don't bother disbelieving that the spirits, demons and magic they face is real – it's clearly real, so they better just get on with it. The adventures themselves follow the classic children's adventures; they're almost Enid Blyton, sometimes, but with a heavy dose of visceral horror.

This isn't a book for everyone. Sandman fans might find it too light, and younger fans could find the horror aspects a little too frightening – there's a couple of sequences of Edwin and Charles returning to their dead bodies that have been illustrated in beautiful detail by Buckingham, but that makes them incredibly confronting. It works wonderfully as a nostalgia-filled adventure, but I think the main appeal will be to those in their mid-teens, around the same age as the characters. The story develops nicely and introduces some good friendship drama along with the mysteries (ghostly and otherwise) that the characters must solve. It's definitely a series that I'm going to keep reading.

Dead Boy Detectives is available now.

Dead Boy Detectives vol. 1: Schoolboy Terrors – 9781401248895 - $16.99 – 160 pages

Wednesday Weirdness - Dead Boy Detectives

Wednesday Weirdness is the day when we remember that sometimes, comics are just downright WEIRD! We take individual panels and present them out of context. If you’ve got a panel you’d like to submit, you can do so here.


Dead Boy Detectives #5, 2014, Toby Litt (writer), Mark Buckingham (artist)

Movie Monday - Sin City

The new Sin City film, Sin City: A Dame to Kill For is being released this week, so I thought we'd look back at the original film from what seems so very long ago.



Director: Robert Rodriguez, Frank Miller, Quentin Tarantino

Writer: Frank Miller

Starring: Bruce Willis, Jessica Alba, Clive Owen, Devon Aoki, Rosario Dawson, Alexis Bledel, Benicio del Toro, Michael Clarke Duncan, Rutger Hauer, Mickey Rourke, Michael Madsen, Elijah Wood, Nick Stahl, Powers Boothe, Brittany Murphy, Jaime King

Release: 2005

Basin City – a wretched hive of scum and villainy, known to those that live there simply as Sin City. A place where everyone is on the take and only looking out for themselves. The darkness in every person is free to come out from the shadows. Only a few good souls exist, and even they are tarnished by the grim they must deal with daily. Three intersecting stories follow a variety of characters faced with impossible choices, up against the insurmountable odds arrayed against them, from mafia bosses, corrupt cops and politicians, as well as their own demons that haunt their every waking moment.

THE SQUEE

• Rodriguez created an amazing adaptation of Frank Miller's graphic novels – visually, it's completely accurate. Unlike Watchmen, this isn't just through re-creating the panels with actors, but capturing the same style as the comic. Using the stark contrasts of black and white (with occasional colours thrown in), Rodriguez has made an amazing film that captures the pulp noir atmosphere that made the books so popular.
• Ultraviolence does give the action movie lover in me a thrill, and the film delivers a LOT of that.
• Deadly little Miho. Devon Aoki is simply fantastic. Actually, the whole cast is outstanding; Elijah Wood delivers one of his creepiest roles ever, Bruce Willis was perfectly cast as the reluctant hero cop and Mickey Rourke's Marv dominates the movie.

THE SUCK

• That actually brings up one of the sucks of the film. Save one character, all the female characters in the film are either hookers, strippers or a combination of the two. While this is true of the comics, it's not particularly comfortable there either. It somewhat fits the pulp feel of the stories, drawing on the old tropes of the femme fatale and the fallen woman that tempts the gumshoe hero, but it might have been nice to buck that trend and have a female character that wasn't primarily defined by her connection with the male desire for her or how her pain affects him.

The three stories that appear in Sin City are available in these volumes.

Sin City 1: The Hard Goodbye – 9781593072933 - $34.99 – 280 pages

Sin City 3: The Big Fat Kill – 9781593072957 - $34.99 – 184 pages

Sin City 4: That Yellow Bastard – 9781593072964 - $34.99 – 240 Pages

Sunday Spotlight - August recommendations

Oops, I forgot to give my recommendations for August releases!

Avatar The Last Airbender: The Rift Part Two - Gene Luen Yuang & Michael Dante Dimartino – 9781616552961 – Paperback - $19.99

Following the characters of the amazing anime series Avatar: the Last Airbender, this series is great for fans of the television show of all ages. Written by the same team that helped create the previous volumes in the range The Search and The Promise, this continuation of the anime series is a good companion to the current anime series, Avatar: the Legend of Korra. Great for manga fans of all ages.

Spike: Into the Light - James Marsters - 9781616554217 - Hardcover - $29.99

Spike, the OTHER vampire with a soul from the hugely successful Buffy the Vampire Slayer franchise, has been a fan-favourite since his first appearance. This original graphic novel takes place during the events of the last season of Buffy and is written by the actor that portrayed Spike. Fans will absolutely love this book, as it gives insights into the character that only the actor can deliver. Much like the original show, the story is bittersweet and packed with action.


Justice League of America’s Vibe vol. 1 - Geoff Johns & Andy Kreisberg - 9781401243319 - Paperback - $24.99

After the accident his brother is sucked into another dimension, Cisco Ramone discovers that he has developed strange powers. Using his new found abilities, he fights crime. Light-hearted and aimed at a younger audience than most superhero comics, this book should appeal to fans of Blue Beetle and Spider-man.

Batman: A Celebration of 75 Years - Various - 9781401247584 – Hardcover - $75.99

Since 1939, Bruce Wayne has donned his cape and cowl before speeding out into the night, protecting the city of Gotham (and sometimes the citizens of Earth) from all the criminal threats thrown at them. 2014 marks the 75th anniversary of Batman’s debut. This is a beautiful collection of the best stories that describe the Dark Knight’s battles against his bizarre villains – Two-Face, Catwoman, Poison Ivy the Riddler, Bane, Hugo Strange and of course, the Joker. There are other tales as well, ones that introduce some of the more iconic elements of the Dark Knight, most notably Robin. Great for collectors and fans looking for that special gift.

Supergirl vol. 4: Out of the Past - Michael Alan Nelson - 9781401247003 - Paperback - $26.99

Following the betrayal of H’El, Kara Zor-El must re-evaluate her place in this human world she has found herself in. Leaving Earth, she searches the galaxy for some hint as to her destiny – but instead finds a deadly enemy in the form of the Cyborg Superman. Collecting parts from the ongoing Supergirl series as well as the one-shot comic Cyborg Superman written for “Villain’s Month”, this book continues the adventures of Supergirl trying to find some form of certainty in a hostile world.

Action Comics vol. 3: At the End of Days - Grant Morrison - 9781401246068 - Paperback - $29.99

Set five years before the present Superman series, Action Comics details the initial adventures of the Man of Steel as he attempts to protect a world that fears and mistrusts him. When the universe keeps throwing deadly threats at Metropolis, Superman has no choice save standing between them and the people he cares about. Grant Morrison returns to Superman’s roots in this volume, reintroducing classic foes to the New 52 universe.

The Unwritten vol. 9: The Unwritten Fables - Mike Carey - 9781401246945 - Paperback - $26.99



The Unwritten is known for delving into the worlds of literature, from Moby Dick to Gilgamesh to Enid Blyton and now it features the first crossover into the world of fairy tales – with the assistance of the characters of Fables. Tom Taylor steps into the world where the Fables of Fabletown are locked in a struggle against the dark powers that made them flee their homelands. Both Unwritten and Fables have had massive critical success and Unwritten in particular is a story that should appeal to anyone with a love of good literature.

Batman Li’l Gotham vol. 2 - Dustin Nguyen & Derek Fridolfs - 9781401247232 - Paperback - $22.99




Perfect for all ages, Dustin Nguyen and Derek Fridolfs deliver another fantastic volume of short adventures involving Batman and Damian Wayne, the latest Robin. In each story, the Dynamic Duo are faced with crime on different holidays, whether it’s the Fourth of July or Father’s Day. With lots of heart and a strong focus on family, the Li’l Gotham series was a huge success when it was originally published digitally.

Wednesday Weirdness - Saucer Country

Wednesday Weirdness is the day when we remember that sometimes, comics are just downright WEIRD! We take individual panels and present them out of context. If you’ve got a panel you’d like to submit, you can do so here.


Saucer Country #4, 2012, Paul Cornell (writer), Ryan Kelly (artist)

Movie Monday - Dr. Horrible's Sing-a-long Blog

Not quite a movie today for Movie Monday, but I'm still on a kick from Guardians of the Galaxy, so I wanted to review something slightly different. It still ties in to comics as it has very 'comic' sensibility and spawned a tie-in that helped explain some of the (many) unanswered questions fans wanted to know. Welcome to the review of Dr. Horrible's Sing-a-long Blog!



Director: Joss Whedon

Writer: Maurissa Tancharoen, Jed Whedon, Joss Whedon, Zack Whedon

Starring: Felicia Day, Nathan Fillion, Neil Patrick Harris

Release: 2008

Dr. Horrible is a low-key supervillain, keeping the world updated on his goal of world domination by means of his video blog. He is constantly thwarted in his attempts to make the world a better place (under his iron-fisted rule) by the heroic Captain Hammer. Despite all of this, Dr. Horrible has a sensitive soul, as all he really wants is to be able to talk to the girl of his dreams. His opportunity comes when he befriends her in his civilian life only to watch as she begins dating Captain Hammer. He also learns that his application to the Evil League of Evil has been rejected unless he commits an act of pure evil (like murder). This seems like an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone...

THE SQUEE

• The format is something that was incredibly ground-breaking at the time – three fifteen minute acts, many of them delivered directly to a webcamera and it was a musical. The songs are catchy - I dare you to listen to the soundtrack without finding yourself humming at least one song later. It's a proper musical too, with the blurring of reality that comes when people suddenly burst into a five-minute song about their feelings and everyone acts like it didn't happen. Couple that with snappy direction and editing and you end up with something that feels epic at a 42 minute running time.
• This cast. This really cemented Felicia Day as a geek icon. Neil Patrick Harris already had established his awesomeness over the years, as had Nathan Fillion, thanks to Firefly, but here we learned they could sing too! The three stars manage to make every line memorable, which is important in something with a limited timeframe like this.
• The concepts suggested. This is a world with a supervillain on pair with the Green Goblin or the Red Skull called... Bad Horse. And is an actual horse. (His terrifying death-whinny...) This is a world where superheroes are an everyday occurrence, where you have to apply in writing to join the Evil League of Evil and where being exceptionally sweaty can be considered a superpower. It's no wonder that the tie-in comics were a success – the whole world is crying out for a massive story.
• All of these are secondary to the writing. As is common in the Whedon style, it is immensely quotable but gives every character their moment of heart.

THE SUCK

• After saying such glowing things about the writing, there are some parts that are letdowns. Plot-wise, the story is nothing new. The focus on the “villain” is good but Dr. Horrible is still a standard protagonist – he doesn't want to kill anyone and his primary motivation is love. Of course, this is to make him likeable – it is his story, after all. This means that everything is shown through his eyes and other characters are there to further his story rather than existing with their own motivations.
• While part of the appeal is the low-budget nature of the blog, it does make the world feel like it consists solely of film studio backlots and stages. There's an empty quality to the world that a slightly more expensive production wouldn't have. It's not a drawback per se (like I said, part of the appeal of Dr. Horrible is the DIY aspect of its production) but it does give the mini-series a different quality.

If you loved Dr. Horrible, you really should check out the graphic novel tie-in from Dark Horse that expands back stories for some of the characters and fleshes out the world more.

Dr. Horrible and Other Horrible Stories – 9781595825773 - $17.99 – 80 pages

Sunday Spotlight - Superman: Earth One

The 'Earth One' series has been a great idea to bring in new readers – take a classic character such as Batman or Superman and give them a modern day origin. Couple that with an outstanding team up of artist and writer and you've got a guaranteed good read.



Clark Kent is trying to find his place in the world. Sent to our world from a dying planet, raised by two simple folk, he now wants to give something back to the world. His first step is to provide for his mother – consequently he applies for a number of jobs where his abilities and above-human intelligence would warrant a sizeable income, but he cannot decide on one that would make him happy, as his mother wants. His search is interrupted by the arrival of another alien, one called Tyrell who has been searching for the Last Son of Krypton for decades. Tyrell threatens to annihilate thousands of people unless the Kryptonian steps forward and reveals himself. But can Clark trust Tyrell to keep his word? And can he risk revealing himself to a world not yet ready to face its place in the universe?

J. Michael Straczynski delivers a solid story about Clark Kent making his first attempt to protect Earth from an outside force. He couples heavy action sequences with much slower flashbacks to Clark talking with his parents about the responsibilities and risks of revealing his superpowers. It's a style that would be used again in Man of Steel (which draws a significant amount of inspiration from this story). The story itself is pretty straightforward and follows the same sort of format Superman origin stories tend to follow. Clark has doubts, there's a threat, Clark reveals himself as Superman to stop the threat. The introduction of Tyrell was an interesting twist, as it changes what had been previously established about the destruction of Krypton, and it's elements like this that really show what the 'Earth One' range can do.

Where the story falls down is the more human elements of the story. It's great seeing Superman realise something no one else does, or even for him to be outsmarted, but it consistently sets him more apart from humanity than he already is. Usually the role of keeping him in touch with the human race is up to Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen, and that's true here. Unfortunately, it seems like their roles have been reversed for some reason, and it makes them less interesting. Jimmy is constantly putting himself in danger for a better photograph (much like Lois normally does) but it feels more like a thrill-seeking action than quest for a story. This is a major point of the plot, which is why it feels like there's a heavy emphasis on it. Traditionally, Superman's strongest link with humanity has been his relationship with Lois (not counting his parents). Earth One only gives him the beginning of this relationship, and makes it about Lois and Jimmy, but more one-sided; Clark feels like he has a connection with them, but they don't really know him at all.

For fans of Man of Steel, this book will feel very familiar, but if you're after more, there is a sequel. For new readers, it's a good way of introducing the main concepts of Superman without being caught up in the continuity of the main series. The book works well as a stand alone story (much like the film did) and makes an easy read for newcomers to the superhero style.

Superman: Earth One – 9781401224691 - $17.99 – 136 pages

Wednesday Weirdness - All-Star Superman

Wednesday Weirdness is the day when we remember that sometimes, comics are just downright WEIRD! We take individual panels and present them out of context. If you’ve got a panel you’d like to submit, you can do so here.


All-Star Superman #4, 2006, Grant Morrison (writer), Frank Quitely (artist)

Jimmy, you really don't.

Movie Monday - Guardians of the Galaxy

OOGA-CHUCKA OOGA-CHUCKA OOGA-OOGA-CHUCKA



Director: James Gunn

Writer: James Gunn

Starring: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Bradley Cooper, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Lee Pace, Karen Gillan, Michael Rooker, Glenn Close, Djimon Honsou, Sean Gunn

Release: 2014

Peter Quill (occasionally known as Star-Lord,) is your typical abducted Earthling – he's brash, loud, arrogant and steals things for money. When he double-crosses his boss and tracks down an artefact on the abandoned world of Morag, he finds that the forces of the Kree renegade Ronan the Accuser are also after the item. All Quill wants is a payday, but he'll have to deal with murderous assassins and dangerous raccoon-like bounty hunters first. Thrown into prison with the people trying to hunt him, Quill manages to form them into a band that may have a hope of stopping Ronan's plans to destroy the fragile peace that currently hangs between the stellar empires. And behind it all, a darker, more sinister power awaits to be woken...

THE SQUEE

• Everything. All the things. OK, most of the things. Let's start with the cast. This was an amazing cast, from Chris Pratt and the other leads right down to the extras.
• The directing was top notch. I'm now of the opinion that the Gunn family are the new Raimi family. Think about the similarities between James Gunn and Sam Raimi – both got started directing at a young age, focussed on horror with a side of wacky comedy, moved into superheroes with an independent film and then landed massive Marvel movies. They both have actor brothers (Sean and Ted respectively), who know how to ham it up perfectly. They also have writer brothers (Brian and Ivan, respectively) who have a few films under their belts, but aren't as well known. The parallels are definitely there. (In this scenario, Nathan Fillion is Bruce Campbell.)
• This leads me to the cameos. These were a real treat. You kind of expect to see Easter Eggs in Marvel movies nowadays, and they're a great way of making the universe feel real and lived in. Mentioning too many would be spoileriffic, but there are some to look out for. The dog in the spacesuit at the Collector's is a great reference to the Guardians comics series. Thanos is basically there as a cameo, but he brought a huge amount of menace to his scenes. The stinger at the very end of the credits has a cameo I never thought I'd see in the Marvel films, but hey, there it was.
• The character design was outstanding. Two that really stood out were Ronan the Accuser and Nebula. Lee Pace and Karen Gillan nailed those characters so well. Ronan wasn't particularly memorable (to me, anyway) until about midway through the film, upon which he became AWESOME. Nebula looked amazing throughout, a great counterpart to Gamora's awesome, and Gillan infused Nebula with the perfect amount of attitude that you really got a sense of who this person was from just a few lines.
• Rocket! I want to pet him! I might lose a hand, but he was adorable! Much soft! So fur! Wow!
• I am Groot.
• One of the major promotion aspects of the film was the soundtrack. The classic 1980s tunes were a nice contrast to the typically epic score that most sci-fi action films would go for.
• The humour of the film was fantastic – it wasn't the somewhat ad libbed feel of Iron Man or the funny dissonance of Thor. It was never afraid to throw something completely ridiculous at a serious moment, and was always clever enough not to underplay a touching moment with anything too zany. The best humour always builds on emotion, rather than detracting from it, and the writing managed to use humour to build scenes to satisfying conclusions.

THE SUCK

• Actually, I felt that Gamora was underused. This may not be a popular opinion with everyone (I haven't read any other reviews yet, so I don't know what other people are saying, but Zoe Saldana is a goddess, so I suspect people are going to be pro-Gamora). Gamora is incredibly kick-ass, and I felt that in this film she was simply 'action movie girl' – sure, the movie was going for an 80's action movie vibe, but Gamora is better than that. She doesn't get taken prisoner by three goons and dragged off unless she wants to go somewhere else so she doesn't scare the rest of the populace with blood-splattering violence.
• I already mentioned what I thought of Ronan until about halfway through the film, but since he was the villain, him not leaving an impression on me wasn't particularly great. Fortunately, Nebula was there to make up for it.

So there you have it. It's a big silly blockbuster that has some fun action sequences, some great lines and a lot of heart. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go dig out some mix tapes.

Sunday Spotlight - Empowered

We generally deal with titles that can be enjoyed by everyone, but today we're looking at something that isn't really always appropriate for younger readers. Don't worry, it says NSFW right there on the cover so you have been warned. That being said, Empowered is an AMAZING book and if you're eighteen or older, you'll love reading it.



Empowered is a superheroine, but she's not exactly top tier. Her powers come from a fantastic suit and can give her flight and super-strength, but only when she wears only the suit. Unfortunately, the suit only works if it is one piece, and since it's extremely fragile, she ends up losing her powers at the most inopportune moments. This means she ends up captive to a lot of supervillains. A LOT. In fact, she's something of a joke in the superhero community (although she has become an expert on knot-tying). She has to deal with mockery from her peers, rope-chafing, low self-esteem and no respect on either side of the law. Things start to change when she meets Thug-Boy, a former henchman of a supervillain and there's an instant attraction. As they start a relationship, Empowered also meets Ninjette, a hard-drinking warrior from a ninja clan in New Jersey. With these two friends at her side, things are starting to look up for Empowered's life (although she still has to take a job as a bad impersonator of herself).

Adam Warren began Empowered as commissions for bondage fetishists, which is part of why Empowered ends tied up so often. Before too long, the character started to form as a parody of those commissions – what would a superhero be like if they continually got captured by villains? Surprisingly, Warren makes Empowered a well-rounded character, with flaws, hopes, and dreams. She has a strong motivation for what she does and the comic has grown into something much more than the sex gags it started out with. There's still a lot of sex in there (and including it makes Empowered and Thug-boy's relationship one of the more realistic couples in superhero comics) but it's more about the character dynamics and overall plots. There's very few comics that can be both hilarious and heartbreaking at the same time, but Empowered manages it.

This is definitely not a comic for everybody. The art style draws heavily on manga and leans hard towards fanservice (especially for bondage fetishists). However, it does have one of the most realistically human superheroines currently being written. She has concerns about her body - understandable, since she has to run around the city fighting crime wearing nothing but skin-tight latex. She loves her friends and will do anything for them. She hates her job and has to put up with idiot co-workers. Sometimes, she has fights with her boyfriend. She saves the world, but doesn't get the credit she deserves. For a genre rooted in power fantasies, Empowered is refreshingly down-to-earth, which is amazing since it's a series that has a man with a cinder block for a head as recurring character.

If you like superhero parodies, as well as heroines who overcome their own insecurities despite everyone telling them they're useless (and you're not bothered by too much sex-comedy), I strongly recommend Empowered. She may not be the usual 'strong female protagonist' but she is definitely one of the most relatable.

Empowered vol. 1 – 9781593076276 - $27.99 – 248 pages

Movie Monday - Hellboy

Director: Guillermo del Toro

Writer: Guillermo del Toro

Starring: Ron Perlman, Doug Jones, Selma Blair, John Hurt, Karel Roden, Jeffrey Tambor, Rupert Evans

Release: 2004

In the closing days of WWII, the Allied forces discover a mystic ritual to open a portal to another dimension being performed by Axis magicians. While they were able to stop the ritual, something was able to slip through. A small being, like a child, but red and horned – a hell-boy. Sixty years later, Hellboy is a major part of the BPRD (Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense) under the direction of his adopted father. Hidden from the world, Hellboy and other members of the BPRD are the first line of defense against the supernatural threats that dangerous underworld forces send to wreak havoc on humanity. However, there is a new danger that has arisen – one that dates back to the reason Hellboy came to Earth in the first place. Hellboy must confront his destiny and choose a path – but will that path be of protection or destruction?

THE SQUEE

• Del Toro has done a fantastic job of adapting the Mike Mignola comic for the big screen. Some of the most iconic elements are present, coupled with a heavy dose of action and splashes of humour. While the film is closer to a standard action film than the gothic style of the comics, it still has the appropriate Hellboy feel of bizarre science mixed with dark magics. The overall tone of the film matches the comics very well, that blend of pulp and wit that make them a joy to read.
• Ron Perlman is amazing. Simply amazing. Even under layers of make up and prosthetics, Perlman is able to give Hellboy incredible amounts of pathos. He captures the character superbly, showing Hellboy's strong belief in humanity and laconic attitude towards the creatures he faces. Perlman was hand chosen for the role by del Toro – in fact, del Toro showed Perlman the comic and said he wanted Perlman for the role before there even was a film.
• The overall design of the film, of the characters and monsters, perfectly fits the Hellboy style. It's not a direct transfer, like Watchmen, but one that captures the right feel of Hellboy. There are fan favourite parts in there, of course, but the film is just as much its own entity as the comics are.

THE SUCK

• If anything, Hellboy is too cool. He saves kittens! It's an amazing scene, but film!Hellboy isn't the world-weary warrior of the comics – he's an action hero up against insurmountable odds which he nevertheless surmounts. The end product is more Indiana Jones meets Van Helsing, rather than the Lovecraftian style Mignola made for the comics. A lot of times, I'm on board with that – despite my love of the comics, there is an air of the inevitable downfall of humankind to all of them. However, there isn't really any doubt to the film, there's no tension as to the eventual victory of Good. One of the best parts of the comics is that ambiguity about whether Hellboy is the eventual saviour or destroyer of mankind, but the film (beyond one brief temptation scene) never really has any doubts that he's the hero.

VERDICT
See this film. Read the books. See other films by this director, because he's OUTSTANDING.

Hellboy vol. 1: Seed of Destruction – 9781593070946 - $32.99 – 128 pages

Sunday Spotlight - Batman: Court of Owls

So how did you all celebrate Batman Day? Personally, I hit up my local Eisner-award winning comic book store! Now, you may be tired of all the stuff about Batman over the last few months, BUT I'M NOT! Let's look at the first appearance of Batman in the New 52 – Batman: the Court of Owls.



Following an attack on Bruce Wayne's life, the wealthy socialite investigates further in the guise of his alter-ego, the vigilante Batman. What he discovers makes no sense to him – the assassin mentioned the 'Court of Owls', a secret organisation that is little more than an urban legend. It's so secret that Batman had investigated the rumour before and found absolutely nothing. But new revelations have emerged and what Batman discovers proves that the shadowy cabal is a real thing – and is currently poised to strike against Gotham City. In the search to unveil their plans, Batman must face his own demons as the Court of Owls challenges the uneasy order that Batman has managed to achieve in Gotham.

Scott Snyder had already established himself as an amazing writer with Batman: the Black Mirror and a lot of what made that great was carried over to Court of Owls. However, instead the of raw art style of Jock, Court of Owls is drawn by Greg Capullo. There's a very different style, fitting the pulp origin of Batman matched with the shadowy gothic feel that has been a part of the character for so long. The collaboration of Snyder and Capullo has been a highlight of the New 52. There's a brutality to a lot of the fight scenes, emphasising the rage that Bruce Wayne releases when he dons the mask of Batman. The more expository scenes still have a lot of action to them; there aren't a great number of these, which is interesting given the overall plot.

The 'dangerous conspiracy' aspect of the story has been incredibly well-developed. There's good explanations for why this has not been seen before and it draws on the history of Batman, as well as Gotham. Most of the focus is on the plot rather than explaining Batman's role in Gotham, which is a good way of introducing the character. It could have been tempting to show what Batman means to the city but instead, the reader is thrown right into the middle of the action with a centuries old conspiracy. There's hints of Batman's origin and elements explaining each character, but it's not straightforward exposition and is more about furthering the characterisation rather than simply explaining why they're there. This all makes for a much more exciting read than other first books and shows why Snyder and Capullo's Batman run has been so successful.

For someone just getting into comics, this is a perfect jumping on point. While it touches on other characters that can then also be read about, reading just this series means you get great adventure and great characters.

Batman vol. 1: the Court of Owls – 9781401235420 - $24.99 – 176 pages

Wednesday Weirdness - Harley Quinn

Wednesday Weirdness is the day when we remember that sometimes, comics are just downright WEIRD! We take individual panels and present them out of context. If you’ve got a panel you’d like to submit, you can do so here.


Harley Quinn Invades Comic-con International San Diego, 2014, Amanda Conner & Jimmy Palmiotti (writers), John Timms (artist)

Movie Monday - The Dark Knight Rises

In preparation for Batman Day on Wednesday, we'll finish off the look at the contemporary Batman films with The Dark Knight Rises.



Director: Christopher Nolan

Writer: Jonathan Nolan, Christopher Nolan, David S. Goyer

Starring: Christian Bale, Anne Hathaway, Gary Oldman, Tom Hardy, Marion Cotillard, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Matthew Modine

Release: 2012

Following the events of The Dark Knight, crime has dramatically reduced in Gotham City. New, stricter laws have meant that criminals face harsh penalties for minor infractions. The Batman, still viewed as a criminal, has not been seen in years. Bruce Wayne has become a recluse after the loss of a close friend. James Gordon, now police commissioner, knows the truth about what occurred but has kept silent in order to keep the city safe. But after attacks from a terrorist known only as Bane begin to rock the city, Bruce Wayne must dust off the cowl and once more protect his city.

THE SQUEE

• The conclusion of Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy brings the story of Bruce Wayne to a satisfying close. Without giving too much away, Nolan stays true to the gritty realism that has already been set up in regards to the character. Nolan's Bruce Wayne is incredibly damaged, both mentally and physically, and the focus on what type of society requires vigilante justice, and the response from those outside the law. These films have a clear arc in regards to the character of Wayne, an arc that is resolved in this film. It's well-told and relies heavily on the ideas already established by the other films – the conflict of ideas between Batman and his enemies, with Batman representing the ability of people to change and his foes acting as the old static order.
• OK, so Anne Hathaway is never actually referred to as 'Catwoman' in the film, but she is a cat burglar (and wears a headset with ears at one point) but she's still an amazing choice for the role. In this film, Selina Kyle has her own agenda and is slowly convinced to aid Batman. Hathaway sells the 'out for herself' aspect and Selina's eventual resignation to her decision.
• The use of Bane – as ridiculous as Tom Hardy looks sometimes (and occasionally sounds), Bane is shown to be easily a match for Batman, reflecting his original role in the comics. He's a fanatical monster that matches Batman's devotion to a goal, making him an appropriate opponent that can be believed as someone who can defeat the Dark Knight.

THE SUCK

• Oh so many plotholes. This is a film that has an amazing sense of imagery (think the Bat-symbol on the bridge) and other symbolism, but it means that it suffers too much from the Rule of Cool. Things don't have to make sense when following this rule because they look just so good. However, the old refrigerator problem occurs – hours later, staring at the fridge, something suddenly strikes you and you realise that there was a huge problem with the plot and why does Batman have missiles on his bikes anyway? How did Alfred explain Bruce Wayne's disappearance? How did Blake figure out Bruce Wayne was Batman by looking at his eyes?!?

Overall, it is a great film, well-deserving of its success. It sticks with the dark, brooding grittiness that the Nolan films emphasised but we won't hold that against it. It's strong visually and hits the right notes in regards to the themes already developed by the other films in the series. While it's strongest as the finale of a trilogy, it still stands well on its own merits.

Sunday Spotlight - Words for Pictures

This week a fantastic book is being released – it's not quite a graphic novel (well, not at all, actually) but it's written by a verifiable icon of the comics industry. This week sees the release of Words for Pictures by Brian Michael Bendis, the author of Powers, Ultimate Spider-man, Alias and many other outstanding titles. While Bendis is normally a writer for Marvel, and we normally focus on DC titles, Words for Pictures will be distributed to bookshops (and you folks at home) thanks to Random House.



Words for Pictures is a guide on how to write graphic novels and comics, written by one of the best in the industry. It also includes advice from artists, writers and editors on how to get started and make your stories and pitches stand out from all the others. It features interviews and chapters written by well-known names such as Matt Fraction (Hawkeye, Sex Criminals) and Ed Brubaker (Gotham Central, Catwoman, Captain America) as well as art from talent like Sara Pichelli, Alex Maleev, Jill Thompson, Klaus Janson and Michael Avon Oeming. Put together, it gives the reader an insight into how the world of comics operates and offers advice on how to hone your own craft to gain admittance to that world. There's a whole section on what type of script to use (full script or Marvel style?) as well as FAQs and writing exercises. As a resource for writers, it is invaluable.

Full disclosure – Brian Michael Bendis is a hero of mine (check out his Tumblr!). Bendis is a driving force behind this book, even with the huge number of contributors. This actually ties in with the most important message he has throughout the book – learn to collaborate. Comics and graphic novels are a team effort from both writer and artist. This aspect is touched on repeatedly, not just by Bendis's advice, but from stories from the other writers, the artists and editors. Similarly, there is a message of learning to take advice. There's the suggestion to always be learning your craft, and to learn from every experience, both good and bad. There's not a great deal of sugar-coating in the advice; all the contributors are aware that they have been incredibly fortunate, but they're also aware that they have worked extremely hard to get where they are. While there is advice on the style and craft of writing and art, one of the best pieces of advice is to keep trying and keep creating. It's a book comparable to Stephen King's On Writing and should be vital to anyone – writer or artist – who has considered getting published in the comics industry.

Words for Pictures – 9780770434359 – Brian Michael Bendis - $49.99 – 224 pages

Wednesday Weirdness - Axe Cop

Wednesday Weirdness is the day when we remember that sometimes, comics are just downright WEIRD! We take individual panels and present them out of context. If you’ve got a panel you’d like to submit, you can do so here.


Axe Cop Episode 1, 2010, Malachai Nicolle (age 5 - writer), Ethan Nicolle (age 29 - artist).

Movie Monday - Tank Girl

No special reason for this choice – I just like Tank Girl.



Director: Rachel Talalay

Writer: Tedi Sarafian

Starring: Lori Petty, Naomi Watts, Stacy Linn Ramsower, Malcolm McDowell, Don Harvey, Ice-T, Jeff Kober

Release: 1995

A meteorite struck the Earth, causing a planet-wide desert because...? Who cares, it means there's a water shortage in an apocalyptic wasteland. Rebecca, soon to become Tank Girl, is a member of a group of renegades who steal water from the ruling body of Water & Power (they have the water, they have the power). After a raid on their hideout ends with all the renegades dead and Rebecca's young friend Sam captured, Rebecca vows vengeance on Water & Power. She makes an unlikely ally in the woman only known as Jet Girl but before any escape plans can be put into action, the head of Water & Power, Kesslee, decides to use Rebecca as bait to lure out the half-mythical, all-violent, genetically-modified kangaroos known as Rippers.

THE SQUEE

• I originally saw this prior to reading any comics (way back in the Before DVD Time), which means I came into it with fresh eyes and was immediately was captivated by the world that had been created for the character. Tank Girl's whole theme is this – she has a tank. It's awesome. IT'S AWESOME. TANKS YOU GUYS!
• Lori Petty does a great job as the anti-establishment rogue Tank Girl. She makes an interesting choice of portrayal but I think it works and makes Rebecca's type of comic book insanity come to life.
• Capturing the iconic look of the original comic really drives the point of this film, and it does a superb job of that. It's really well told and has some great story-telling techniques that are marks of a good director.

THE SUCK

• OK, the film in places is utterly ridiculous. There's an entire song and dance number that apparently just happens like the whole film has been a musical all along and is never mentioned again. Rebecca seemingly has an unlimited number of costume changes without any explanation for WHY these things actually exist in the first place (the ICBM shaped bra springs to mind). These are awesome homages to the comic, but for a film just make the whole thing seem bizarre.
• For such great costumes, the Rippers are actually pretty poorly done. The scenes where they talk are fantastic, partly thanks to Ice-T being so grouchy, but it's hard to believe the small band of creatures in awkward costumes are actually a real threat to anyone.
• Despite the valiant attempt to capture the aesthetic of the comics, there are just some things you can't get actors to do (and in some cases are illegal), so it's not an exact adaptation of the comics, which meant it's somewhat watered down from the anarchist style that made the comic so influential.

Tank Girl is a little underrated and does fall into the trap that a lot of 90s comic book movies did – the cardinal sin of “silliness”. There are problems with it and it does seem a little cheesy twenty years later, but it's still a lot of fun. If you're after a fun, action-packed film with great one-liners, this is the one you want.

Sunday Spotlight - Batgirl

With Gail Simone's recent announcement about leaving Batgirl, I thought we might go back to the start of her run on the character.



Barbara Gordon has made a miraculous recovery from her paralysis. She attempts to pick up her life where she left off – and that includes her career as the vigilante crimefighter Batgirl. But Gotham isn't a town that gives second chances easily – there's still masked criminals out there who would like nothing more than to take down one of Gotham's protectors, and there's a new one in town who not just after Batgirl but has his sights set on Barbara Gordon too. Not only that, but she has to prove to her allies that her skills are still just as sharp as they were three years ago.

The return of Barbara Gordon to the role of Batgirl carried with it some controversy as it erased the previous two incumbents to wear the cowl – Cassandra Cain and Stephanie Brown. While one of these characters has since returned, many fans were very upset about the return of a character who had not been Batgirl for over twenty years. Fortunately, Gail Simone's strong story and Ardian Syaf's amazing art won many people back. Simone found a strong voice for Barbara Gordon, drawing on the experience of writing her as Oracle in the Birds of Prey series prior to the New 52.

One of the major strengths of any of the Bat-family characters is their relationship with the others. Barbara has history both with Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson, but her strongest relationship is with her father, James Gordon. There's a heavy focus on family that makes the book all the stronger, a recurring theme that runs through each part of the story and it really makes the book stand above the others that were coming out at the same time.

This is a great series for new readers as it is a new start for the character. I definitely recommend this series, and from what Gail Simone has been saying about the new team on the book, it should remain one of the stand out DC titles.

Batgirl vol. 1: The Darkest Reflection – 9781401238148 – Gail Simone - $29.99 – 144 pages

Wednesday Weirdness - Villains United

Wednesday Weirdness is the day when we remember that sometimes, comics are just downright WEIRD! We take individual panels and present them out of context. If you’ve got a panel you’d like to submit, you can do so here.


Villains United #2, 2005, Gail Simone (writer), Dale Eaglesham & Val Semekis (artists).

Sailor Moon

Fighting evil by moonlight!
Winning love by daylight!
Never running from a real fight!
She is the one called Sailor Moon!

This weekend saw the launch of the rebooted Sailor Moon Crystal anime series, and I, as a child of the 90s, was guaranteed to watch it. So instead of Movie Monday, you get Sailor Moonday! I'll come up with a better name later.



Usagi is an everyday 14 year old girl in Japan. She likes jewellery, boys and sleeping. But after a run in with a magical talking cat and a creepy demon lady, it turns out she's actually the Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon!

THE SQUEE

• OK, the first episode of the new series was basically exactly the same as the first one from the original run. The plot was the same, the scenes were pretty much the same, the character design is the same. THIS IS A GREAT THING. It means that you know exactly what you're getting from the show – fun magical girl adventures. DC and Marvel, take note. This is how we like our reboots.
• Usagi is adorable. Sure, she's a bit of a self-admitted crybaby, but that's part of her character. Her flaws are what make her endearing to the audience. The first episode actually gives the audience quite a bit of time to get to know Usagi before unleashing the whole 'Moon Prism Power' thing, so you can get an idea of why she reacts the way she does. She's not a hero straight away – she's just an average teenager suddenly thrown in over her head and discovering that she has these new talents. It's the best start to an arc that a hero could hope for.

THE SUCK

• Obviously, I watched the subtitled version (my Japanese wasn't that good even when I was studying it) and there were one or two translations that were a little off. That's a pretty minor complaint really. Any translation or closed captioning has some errors – that's how humans work.
• IT WAS TOO SHORT. I want more already.

Yeah, that's about it. I'm really excited for this series – not just for the nostalgia element, but also for what it represents. Sailor Moon is one of the most well-known anime that was imported to the English speaking world and it just goes to show how popular a female-driven show can be. For everyone saying that Wonder Woman is 'tricky', Sailor Moon is proof that a magical girl's adventures are not that difficult to do. If people can't see that, well, then,



We'd love to hear your thoughts on the episode too. Send an ask or leave a comment!

If you're feeling nostalgic, Kodansha has the manga series available up to volume 12 (see below).

Sailor Moon 12 – 9781612620084 – Naoko Takeuchi - $16.99 – 240 pages

Sunday Spotlight - Earth 2

The idea of alternate worlds is a common one in comics – just look at the number of alternate futures from X-Men alone. It was a great way for writers to explore different avenues for a character without messing with the status quo people love seem to love so much. Sometimes those ideas crossed over into regular stories, sometimes they stayed as one-offs. Probably the most memorable alternate universe of the modern era is the Ultimate range from Marvel, kicked off with Brian Michael Bendis's Ultimate Spider-man in 2001. When it came time to reboot the DC universe, the New 52 also delivered an alternate world, one where heroes other than the Trinity (Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman) were dominant. This was Earth 2.



Five years ago, on a world very much like one you'd recognise, a terrible battle against evil waged. The three greatest heroes the world had ever known gave their lives to save the Earth from the menace of Apokolips. However, as the world struggles to rebuild from the destruction wreaked, there are still forces that threaten the planet. Four heroes must answer the call and protect Earth from all menaces, whether alien or domestic. Learning as they go, these 'wonders' must find a way to work together despite differing goals in order to keep the world safe.

Launched with the rest of the New 52, Earth 2 was a world without a Justice League. Writer James Robinson presented a very different world to the one that everyone else was writing about, but one that still had connections to the main universe. It was basically an excuse to reimagine everything in the DC universe, which is a fantastic idea. There was a closer emphasis on the classic Golden Age heroes (minus the Trinity, of course), so the first volume introduces us to the Flash, Green Lantern, the Atom, and Hawkgirl but with new take on each of the characters. Nicola Scott's art on each them is simply gorgeous and clearly one of the best selling points of the series.

The first volume drops the reader right into the action – the first issue is basically explaining what happened to the Trinity in an awesomely heartbreaking sequence of seeing the Big Three heroes die before introducing the new heroes, five years later. They're then quickly called together to combat 'the Grey' – a supernatural force intent on destroying the Earth's power. There's a nice balance between the characters, with Green Lantern and the Flash only just becoming accustomed to their powers while Hawkgirl and the Atom are already familiar with theirs. The reader is given just enough information on each character to sate curiosity (a little bit) while still leaving mysteries for future stories. For new readers, it's a good start to reading comics, as it doesn't require them to read multiple series with numerous crossovers, while still using recognisable characters that can lead to reading their series in the main continuity.

Earth 2 vol. 1: The Gathering – 9781401242817 – James Robinson - $21.99 – 160 pages

Wednesday Weirdness - Batman: The Brave and the Bold

Wednesday Weirdness is the day when we remember that sometimes, comics are just downright WEIRD! We take individual panels and present them out of context. If you’ve got a panel you’d like to submit, you can do so here.


Batman: the Brave and the Bold #13, 2010, Sholly Fisch (writer), Robert Pope (artist), Sal Cipriano (letterer)

July recommendations

Here's the Comics Watchtower recommendations for July!


Larfleeze vol. 1: Revolt of the Orange Lanterns | Keith Giffen | 9781401245214 | Paperback | $29.99

LARFLEEZE! Sole possessor of the Orange Lantern, using the power of greed to claim more and more of the universe for the only person that matters – himself. Imagine if someone gave Daffy Duck phenomenal cosmic power and you get an idea of what Larfleeze(!) is like. This series from long time writer Keith Giffen is much lighter in tone than many of the other titles in the New 52. Beginning as back up stories in the Threshold series, these are now collected as part of Larfleeze’s own title – and he’s not sharing anything with anyone. In this first volume, Larfleeze is chosen as prey by a pan-dimensional hunter who, horror of horrors, DARES TO STEAL FROM LARFLEEZE. With lots of action and humour, Larfleeze was a breakout hit when it was released in single issue form.


Justice League of America vol. 1:The World’s Most Dangerous | Geoff Johns, Jeff Lemire | 9781401246891| Paperback | $29.99

The Justice League has been rocked by scandal and the United States decide that they can no longer rely on the goodwill of the superhero group to protect U.S. interests. With that in mind, Amanda Waller creates her own team of heroes – Green Arrow, Catwoman, Katanna, the Martian Manhunter, Hawkman, a Green Lantern, Stargirl and Vibe, under the leadership of Steve Trevor.  Written by Geoff Johns and Jeff Lemire, the two writers who have done so well with other Justice League titles, this title deals with the idea of a manufactured supergroup. While not the most well-known heroes, the book works well with the relationships between the characters and their place in the DC Universe.


Dead Boy Detectives vol. 1: Schoolboy Terrors | Toby Litt | 9781401248895 | Paperback | $16.99

Originally appearing in the pages of Sandman, the two main characters are young schoolboys who were killed horribly soon after arriving at their boarding school – one in 1916 and the other in the 1990s. When Death never arrived for them, they decided to wander off and solve crime!  In classic teenage detective style, the Dead Boy Detectives are on the case. Edwin and Rowland have a pretty good afterlife existence – until Rowland insists on stepping in and foiling a major art heist, saving the life of the daughter of two performance artists in the process. Intrigued by the two spectres, she enrols in the boarding school the two boys both died in, hoping to learn more. Feeling responsible, Edwin and Rowland must head back to the school that killed them, hoping to protect the young girl from the other things that haunt the halls. Highly enjoyable, this series from Vertigo combines the classic genres of teenage mystery and boarding school stories. It’s perfect for readers who love slightly darker comics but aren’t interested in superheroes.


Injustice: Gods Among Us vol. 1 | Tom Taylor | 9781401248437 | Paperback | $26.99

Ties in with the popular ‘Injustice’ video game. Down into a paperback, this title has topped the New York Times bestselling graphic novel list. In another universe, the Joker had destroyed Metropolis by tricking Superman into attacking his friends and allies, killing millions. His mind broken, Superman tells the other heroes to make a choice – his way, or death. Batman attempts to mount a resistance against the Man of Steel as the world slowly becomes a dictatorship under Superman’s rule.


Injustice: Gods Among Us vol. 2 | Tom Taylor | 9781401246013 | Hardcover | $34.99

Ties in with the popular ‘Injustice’ video game. Tom Taylor is a Melbourne-based writer who’s creator-owned work, The Deep has just been made into an animated series. A rising star in the DC writers stable, he has begun writing the Earth 2 series. This volume continues the battle between the tyrannical Superman and Batman’s Resistance. Which heroes have chosen their side? Who has doubts? And who will fall before the might of Superman’s World Government?


EVE True Stories | Daniel Way | 97816165525725 | Hardcover | $22.99

A fascinating idea that should appeal to video game players everywhere. EVE Online, the massive multiplayer game, has been hugely popular since it’s inception. With a large amount of user-created content, the game experience varies depending on how the player decides to play. This series, created by the game developers and Dark Horse, focuses on some of the incredible events that have occurred in the game universe – events that usually have been initiated and controlled by the players themselves.



Art of Sin City | Frank Miller | 9781616552473 | Paperback | $49.99

One of the most visually striking comic books to date, Sin City combined the shadowy style of film noir with the ultra-violence of Quentin Tarantino. Frank Miller is one of the foremost artist/writers of the 1980s comics scene, delivering outstanding images drawn from the contrast between light and dark. Each page of this collection is amazing, influenced heavily by the original film noir style, which originally drew on German Expressionism. Miller’s stories were always gritty and dark but his art shines, capturing the mood of a scene through stark lines. Often monochrome, occasionally there will be a burst of colour to emphasise something that stands out in the world of gumshoes, private investigators, mobsters and enforcers.



Sherlock Bones 6 | Yuma Ando | 9781612625553 | Paperback | $17.99

Takero and Sherdog are on the case again! The reincarnation of Sherlock Holmes in a small terrier, able to talk to his owner through the means of an antique pipe, is one of the most adorable characters you will ever encounter. A great series aimed at boys 10-14, but also suited for girls who love a good mystery, Sherlock Bones has exciting adventure as well as strong friendship themes.