3.5 Razors

The Intrepids #6

/ / Comics

the-intrepids-6-coverI really enjoyed the first couple of issues of this mini-series about a team of children raised to take down mad scientists. The last couple of issues have lost a little steam, but this finale brings back pieces of what made those first few issues so strong (including killer cyber-bears, a trained battalion of baboons, and cyborgs) as The Intrepids turn their attention on the real villain in their midst, the man who trained and “improved” them: Dante.

I happy the Dante storyline was wrapped up with the final issue of the mini-series. If the team does earn a second mini-series, or an on-going title, I’ll be glad to see them start fresh without the spectre of Dante still hanging over them.

Issue #6 is a good conclusion to a series that’s given us some great moments (and memorable panels). It might not be as strong from beginning to end as I’d like, but where else do you see a grizzly bear with a mini-gun strapped to his back? There’s enough here that I’d be willing to give a second mini-series a chance as well. Worth a look.

[Image, $2.99]

The Intrepids #6 Read More »

Doctor Who – Let’s Kill Hitler

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: Doctor Who – Let’s Kill Hitler
  • tv.com: link

doctor-who-lets-kill-hitler

After a mid-season break Doctor Who returns with an episode centered around River Song’s (Alex Kingston) first encounter with the Doctor (Matt Smith). The episode, involving a friend of Amy (Karen Gillan) and Rory’s (Arthur Darvill) named Mels (Nina Toussaint-White), a trip to Nazi Germany, and tiny time police in a human-sized robot, has all the markings of a classic Doctor Who serial. And on that level it works well. However, there can be only one episode where River meets the Doctor for the first time, and that means there’s an entirely different scale on which to judge “Let’s Kill Hitler.”

…

Doctor Who – Let’s Kill HitlerRead More »

Doctor Who – Let’s Kill Hitler Read More »

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1

/ / Comics

teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-1-coverIn 1984 Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird released the first issue of a comic book which centered around four teenagers who just happened to tbe turtles… and ninjas. Over the years the franchise would span several publishers, inspire four television series, a Japanese anime, three live-action theatrical films, an animated feature film (which is pretty damn good, by the way).

Things have come full circle yet again as Eastman teams with IDW to return his creations back to comics. Along with writer Tom Waltz and artist Dan Duncan, Eastman re-imagines the Teenange Mutant Ninja Turtles for a new generation.

As the story opens we learn the Turtles have only been in action for less than 18 months, and have already lost one of their number. The comic opens with a battle between Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Splinter against Old Hob and his gang. Through flashbacks we’re also shown the early days of the turtles and rat as lab animals at Stock Gen Research who are given their names by young lab tech April O’Neil.

…

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1Read More »

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 Read More »

Daredevil #2

/ / Comics

daredevil-2-coverIssue #2 of the latest relaunch of Daredevil certainly has its moments, most notably the fight between Captain America and Daredevil which kicks off the issue. While the fight itself, involving the pair switching weapons, is actually pretty cool, I’m with Daredevil in my confusion of how quickly the battle starts and ends. Some may say Cap is simply taking his grief over Bucky on Daredevil, but that doesn’t sound too much like Captain America (who, as America’s top cop, would by now have access to all of the Shadowland data proving Murdock wasn’t in control of his actions) to me.

The issue also includes a fun conversation between Foggy Nelson and Kirsten McDuffie and Daredevil trying to hunt down who is behind the railroading of Ahmed Jobrani. Sadly, I’m less impressed with the issue’s reveal of the first big bad of the series. I’ve never been a fan of Klaw. Sure, a “master of sound” makes for an intriguing villain for Daredevil, but I’ve always found him fairly ridiculous. The second issue isn’t without a misstep or two, but it does have its moments. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

Daredevil #2 Read More »

Batman #713

/ / Comics

batman-713-coverAfter more than 70 years and 700 issues another one of DC Comics longest running monthly titles comes to an end. This final issue of Batman gives us a look back at Batman’s history through the narration of his adventures to a young audience. I won’t spoil who the narrator is, but there are plenty of clues if you watch for them.

Rather than a solo adventure, of some kind of final tip of the hat to Dick and Damian adventure as the Batman and Robin this issue focuses on putting the entire history of Batman to rest with an underlying story that actually plays out over the course of Batman’s history.

Some might find it a little schmaltzy, but I thought this story worked well as a Coda for the series and a nice send off for this version of Batman and Robin. I also enjoyed art recreating the various looks of Batman over the years and the outline of the big moments in Batman’s history. There’s also a nice splash page of the Bat-Family. It may not have been my first choice for the Caped Crusader’s final issue, but it’s a solid one. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

Batman #713 Read More »