3.5 Razors

The Intrepids #3

the-intrepids-3-coverThe series has given us killer cyber-bears and a trained battalion of baboons, but with the third issue The Intrepids starts to give us something new – a few answers.

We learn a little more about Dante, the inventor who over the years has taken in these four youngsters, genetically enhanced them, and forged them into his own team of operatives. There is some definite distrust among the ranks. The flashbacks we’re given shine some light on Dante’s past associations. It seems he has more than a passing knowledge of the mad scientists he sends his Intrepids to stop, and his motivations may not be as pure as he’s let on.

Part Oliver Twist, part spy thriller, and with more than a little in common with Dark Horse’s The Umbrella Academy, The Intrepids is a fun read with a little more going on under the surface than you first might assume.

The series does capture the feeling of family between the group members, although a uniquely dysfunctional one. With only three more issues left, I think I’ll stick around to see how things turn out. Worth a look.

[Image, $2.99]

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Kung Fu Panda #1

kung-fu-panda-1-coverOkay, let’s get this out of the way first. I adored Kung Fu Panda. Those without my love the property might not enjoy this one as much as I did, but then again, if you didn’t like the movie why would you be willing to shell out $4 for the comic?

With the film’s sequel only a couple of week’s away from hitting theaters Ape Entertainment has released a new four-issue mini-series centered around the adventures of Po and the Furious Five. I’ve never read a comic put out by Ape, but this one is worth a look.

Issue #1 finds Po and the Furious Five accidently locked in an impenetrable prison. It takes all of their combined skill to escape, with a little funny thrown in. The issue also includes a so-so back-up story involving Master Croc and his legendary victory over 173 assassins.

I enjoyed the issue which seems geared more to children and young adults, but I do have a bone to pick with the publisher for the $4 price-tag which makes it at least a dollar (if not two) too expensive for its main audience. Worth a look.

[Ape Entertainment, $3.95]

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Thor

  • Title: Thor
  • IMDB: link

thor-posterThere are quite a few challenges and obstacles laid at the feet of Thor given its main character and choice for both leading man and director. Could Kenneth Branagh direct an action-heavy comic book film? Could Chris Hemsworth carry the movie? Would Thor look cool or ridiculous as a live-action character? Is there another important post-credit sequence? How large is Jeremy Renner‘s role in the film? Would the movie start out the summer season with a whimper or a bang?

We need not have worried. Yes, Hemsworth does a great job carrying the weight of the film. Yes, Branagh not only succeeds in the character-driven scenes but also with the film’s not inconsiderable amount of both humor and action. Yes, Thor looks good. Even the character’s more ridiculous features (such as spinning the hammer to create whirlwinds and tornadoes) come off as impressive and very, very cool.

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Castle – To Love and Die in L.A.

  • Title: Castle – To Love and Die in L.A.
  • tv.com: link

The murder of her former mentor (Jason Beghe) sends Beckett (Stana Katic) and Castle (Nathan Fillion) to Los Angeles against orders on the trail of his killer (Dominic Purcell who you might recognize as the title character from John Doe or as Dracula in Blade: Trinity) and specialized bullets any hitman would be willing to kill for.

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Chuck Versus Agent X

  • Title: Chuck – Chuck Versus Agent X
  • tv.com: link

As Chuck (Zachary Levi) and Sarah’s (Yvonne Strahovski) wedding day grows closer the pair split up for the night to attend their respective bachelor and bachelorette parties. Chuck, Morgan (Joshua Gomez), Casey (Adam Baldwin), Awesome (Ryan McPartlin), Big Mike (Mark Christopher Lawrence), Jeff (Scott Krinsky), and Lester (Vik Sahay) head out into the wildereness as Ellie (Sarah Lancaster) throws her sister-in-law-to-be a party of her own. Both celebrations are put on hold when it’s discovered Vivian Volkoff (Lauren Cohan) has learned of the existence and location of Orion’s (Scott Bakula) computer.

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