4 Razors

The Life Story of The Flash

/ / Comics
  • Title: The Life Story of the Flash
  • Comic Vine: link

“His legend will be emblazoned across the centuries, his heroism and unselfish sacrifce revered and remembered a thousand years hence.”

When I sit and ruminate on my favorite comic characters of all-time a certain Scarlet Speedster always finds himself racing up the list.

Part comic and part biography The Life Story of The Flash is one of the most unconventional graphic novels you will find.  Written by Mark Waid and Brian Augustyn, the life of the Flash is told from beginning to end (not counting our hero’s return in Final Crisis) through the eyes of his wife Iris Allen.

The majority of the material is written as a book with occasional pictures, comic panels, and pages inserted for clarification of the major events of Barry Allen’s life.  The book celebrates the first hero of the Silver Age from childhood through that fateful night that lightning stuck, his villains and comrades, his sidekick Wally West, marriage, the loss of his wife, his final act of saving the entire DCU, and his legacy.

…

The Life Story of The FlashRead More »

The Life Story of The Flash Read More »

The Return of the Secret Six

/ / Comics
  • Title: The Secret Six #1
  • Comic Vine: link

“Grant’s characters [from Final Crisis] are high-minded lunatics with visions of universal conquest, while mine are more like desperate carny roustabouts with the clap.”
—writer Gale Simone

The Secret Six return with this new series from writer Gail Simone and artist Nicola Scott.  For those unfamiliar, the Six are a group of villains banded together for mutual interest and money making endeavors.  The new team returns Catman, Deadshot, Ragdoll, and Scandal Savage. and introduces the newest member, Bane.

Here we’re introduced to a new behind-the-scenes villain (or better described as a villain in a box), and by the end of the issue the team has a mission which no one thinks is a good idea.

The first issue is a bit too much set-up, but once the story gets moving and we can see these guys interact, the fun really starts.  There are two great moments worth talking about.

…

The Return of the Secret SixRead More »

The Return of the Secret Six Read More »

The Lone Ranger #12

/ / Comics
  • Title: The Lone Ranger #12
  • Comic Vine: link

“There’s a reason I make them out of silver.”

Issue #12 picks up with the Lone Ranger back on the trail of Cavendish.  Reunited with Tonto and finally coming to terms with who and what he is, and what he’s willing to do to keep his vow, the Ranger sets out for justice.

There’s a lot going on in this single issue from the Ranger’s opening moments pumping Winthrop for information (in sharp contrast to Cavendish’s attempts later on),  to admitting his past mistakes to Tonto, to Cavendish’s gleeful reintroduction as the series major villain..

However my favorite scenes from this book come from the interaction between the Ranger and his brother’s widow and young son.  The scene with Linda peals away another piece of the Lone Ranger legacy by explain why the masked man uses sliver bullets and what they symbolize to the Texas Ranger turned outlaw vigilante of justice.

Brett Matthews and Sergio Cariello provide a great story with art to match.  And not to be outdone John Cassaday provides another cover that can only be described as damn cool.

…

The Lone Ranger #12Read More »

The Lone Ranger #12 Read More »

Traitor

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: Traitor
  • IMDB: link

“I need to know the truth.”

Samir Horn (Don Cheadle) is a bomb maker, a devout Muslim, and a terrorist.  Or is he?  Based on a story from wild & crazy Steve Martin (yeah, that Steve Martin) comes a suprisingly smart tale about the lengths people will go to both commit and stop terrorism.  If you were expecting a good action film you will get it, but oh so much more as well.

Cheadle is excellent in a role that has to carry the film, but not give away too much too soon.  This is one of those films I’d advise you not to watch the trailer which tells a bit too much of the plot.

So what is the plot?  The simple explanation is it’s about a man cut-off and immersed in a complicated world that expects several things from him – not all of which he’s comfortable delivering.

…

TraitorRead More »

Traitor Read More »

newuniversal: 1959

/ / Comics
  • Title: newuniversal 1959 (One-shot)
  • Comic Vine: link

“We know the rules of Natural Selection.”

Given his role in Civil War and its aftermath many have called for the head of Tony Stark.  Ask, and ye shall receive.  Here, in this special one-shot from the mind of Kieron Gillen, come the beginnings of Project Spitfire, the event known as “the Fireworks,” and how, in this world, the Marvel Age was killed in its infancy.

This new one-shot looks back into events mentioned in the newuniversal mini-series (read the review) which describes a previous celestial event and the actions taken by Philip Voight and Project Spitfire to stop what they fear might be coming.  It begins with the reveal that Tony Stark was chosen to be his generation’s Cipher, which gave him an increased ability with technology that led to the Iron Man armor and other inventions – and doomed him to a gruesome death at the hands of the secret branch of the US Government.

…

newuniversal: 1959Read More »

newuniversal: 1959 Read More »