4.5 Razors

Our ‘Knight’ In Shining Armor

  • Title: The Dark Knight
  • IMDB: link

Though there are plenty unsure of him, it’s made clear at the beginning of The Dark Knight that Batman (Christian Bale) has done a lot to clean up Gotham since the events in 2005’s Batman Begins.  But he never saw a foe as strange and evolved as the Joker (who you are probably pretty aware was played by the late Heath Ledger).  Like a virus that evolves to survive the new antibiotics that is Batman, he’s a permutation of the typical criminal unpredictable, gets results and worst of all, seems immune to the power and threats of the Caped Crusader.

It makes for terrible timing – it was just looking like the day Bruce Wayne could quit his night job was within sight, with the newly elected Gotham District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) looking like a serious figure to unwaveringly enforce the law onto a corrupt city.  A real man to serve the city is going to be easier to follow than a grown man playing dress-up.  But by the time the Joker settles into front page news, it’s clear that Gotham’s never been worse off.

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I am the Night, I am Batman! (Volume 3)

  • Title: Batman: The Animated Series – Volume Three
  • tv.com: link

The third volume of Batman: The Animated Series continues with final 28 original episodes from the series which includes the few episodes that were released under the title The Adventures of Batman and Robin.  All three volumes make a great collection, but this final volume is no exception including some of the best episodes of the series.  With a host of returning villians and a stable of new characters introduced here the creators have enlarged Batman’s world and allowed for more variation from episode to episode.

The art deco animated Batman series won over fans and critics alike with its stylish retelling of the Batman mythos.  Bruce Wayne prowls the streets of Gotham with the sometime help of his ward and young college student Dick Grayson to fight crime and dispense justice as Batman and Robin.

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The Animated Dark Knight Detective

  • Title: Batman: The Animated Series – Volume Two
  • tv.com: link

Season One (read that review) dealt with setting up the major Bat-villains, the city, and dealing with Bruce Wayne.  Season Two delves deeper into the Batman universe in examining the more of the characters’ origins, motivations, and roles in the series.  Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski really begin to knock out some winners as the series begins to hit it’s stride.

Season Two brings back the villains and Gotham natives from Season One while expanding the universe and adding a few new characters.  We get some more Robin episodes, most notably the retelling of the Dick Grayson Robin origin story.  Finally a Riddler episode “If You’re So Smart Why Aren’t You Rich?” tells the origin tale of the Mr. Edward Nigma and his life of crime involving riddles, a maze and a Minotaur.  Commissioner Gordon will be shot in “I am the Night” prompting Bruce Wayne to consider hanging up the cape and cowl.  The episode is also of interest for the sly reference O’Neil and Adams.

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Hellboy…Hell Yeah!!

  • Title: Hellboy II: The Golden Army
  • IMDB: link

Ron Perlman might have began his career in 1975, but certainly has been one hell of a project man since the mid-1980’s from then to date he has worked on over 150 projects from voice over, TV, monsters and priests, Mr. Pearlman is still hitting it strong with his stone fisted sarcastic creature of the underworld, Hellboy. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, one of the few men on this planet I would consider dating as long as he stays in one of his monstrous costumes; he wears big muscles in red and horns with a tail well. Selma Blair has found her calling, between all the phony little characters she has played over her career I would say the strong and oh not so quiet type fire girl who’s in love with the big red hunk of burning love is certainly the part for her. The new characters Prince Nuada played by Luke Goss and Princess Nuala played by Anna Waltong add a fresh change to the story, it’s interesting to see a Tokenistic twist put on the everlasting battle of good verses evil in a modern world.

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Silver Surfer: Requiem

  • Title: Silver Surfer: Requiem
  • Comic Vine: link

“My name is Norrin Radd.  The Silver Surfer.  Wielder of the Power Cosmic, former herald to Galactus, Devourer of Worlds.  I have travelled the galaxy, seen more than other eyes could hope to behold in a hundred lifetimes.  And I am dying.”

“As he rose into the sky, I thought..how sad that we did not know him better.  How sad that his voice was heard so little, when he had so much to say.”

In four issues J. Michael Straczynski weaves a heart-wrenching tale of the final days of the Silver Surfer.  A speck has appeared on outer covering of his body, and is growing.  The shell which has kept him alive through space and inside suns has begun to break down.  As it fails, so will Norrin Radd’s nervous system, providing a painful death for our hero.

The first two issues, and the beginning of issue three, deal with the realization of the Surfer’s condition and his final moments on the planet Earth, visiting the people and places he has come to love.  In these pages we get Reed Richards’ frustration, Sue‘s despair, Doctor Strange‘s final gift, and Spider-Man offering comfort.

The third issue deals with a sacred war between two neighbouring planets which has lasted for 50 generations.  The last big effort of the Surfer is to single-handedly end the conflict, and, as always, promote tolerance, peace, and understanding.  Although not as moving as the rest of the book it does allow the hero one final big moment before his voyage ends.

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