Hey everyone, Jason Todd here after an extended break with some big news. First things first I wanna give you guys some info about myself and this blog. In 2009 I joined the Batman: Arkham Asylum Eidos Message board because I was eagerly awaiting that awesome game. There I met a lot of cool people and myself and a few friends decided to start a blog known as Batmania Reviews! to pass the time, we did reviews on comics, movies, games, everything Batman based and even held contests. After the game came out the blog lost steam though, so I stopped blogging. I was still big into comics though, and while looking up some Nightwing comic book story arcs, I came across the blog of a guy that would become one of my best friends, http://xmanscomicblog.blogspot.com.
X would soon convince me to start my own blog which I did, and two years later here we are. I met a lot of cool people through this blog but near the end of 2011, blogging felt like a chore. I'd always have to fit blogging in around spending time with my girlfriend, Falisha, as well as working and doing things I enjoyed like playing video games and watching movies. So reviewing and comic-reading just seemed more like a job and less fun. So I decided to take a quick break from blogging and I enjoyed it a lot, I didn't have to review things and I could read comics, enjoy them and move on. I didn't have to take notes, read and review at once or anything else. I'd been considering when to come back and blog again and I'd though about changing things up but I wasn't that excited about it, until a few days ago when I had a talk with X.
He offered me a chanc to write for his blog, considering his hectic posting, the fact that he's been going through some stuff lately and since I'm infinitely more awesome than him, he figured that having me post at his blog would give him a chance to relax, have a new contributor with different thoughts and views, as well as give me a way to post without the pressure of having to, as I can post what I want when I please, as well as having my reviews seen by a wider audience, as X's blog gets WAY more traffic than my own. So this worked great for myself and X, and I agreed. So as of today, I am now a contributor for X-Man's Comic Blog, and I hope anyone who reads my blog that isn't following X's will come over with me as well.
I won't be closing this blog, I put a lot of time into it and I appreciate everyone that's followed it and commented, so I'm not going to delete it and act like it's never been here. Thank you all for reading what I've posted and you guys have been great friends to me. Here's hoping things are this great over at X's blog, since I plan on adding some class to the place. Until next time, I'm your friendly neighborhood Blogger-Man, JT, signing off.
Showing posts with label Blog Stuff. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blog Stuff. Show all posts
Monday, January 30, 2012
Monday, December 12, 2011
Christmas Break?
Hey Todd Squad, JT here with an update. The last few weeks of this blog have been weird for me, I've been forcing myself to post when I'm not in the mood, barely pulling down four books some weeks, and pretty much just posting for the sake of posting. I love comics but blogging is starting to seem like more of a chore and less of a hobby, so I'm going to take a little hiatus, depending on how quickly I start to miss it I'll be back, but as of right now I plan on coming back fresh in January, or maybe a bit sooner for the Second Annual Red Hood awards, but until then, I'm your friendly neighborhood burned out blogger, Jason Todd, signing off.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
The New Ultimate Spider-Man
Hey everyone, I'm here with a topic that is lighting up most comic sites, the identity of the new Ultimate Spider-Man. In case you've been living under a rock the past few months, Marvel decided to kill off the Ultimate Version of Spider-Man. Not the adult, dated Mary Jane until it was retconned and now currently is apart of the Avengers and the FF version, but the teenage, high-school student version of Peter Parker. The news was everywhere, even on CNN for some reason, and what followed was one of the best issues of a comicbook I'd ever read. The issue where Peter died, protecting his family and friends while surrounded by them was one of the best things I've ever had the privilege of reading. So, obviously the next question is, what happens to Spidey now, is the mantle taken over by someone else? Harry Osborn? Gwen Stacey? Aunt May? Every idea was discussed online, some good, some not so good, but the news was finally leaked a few days ago and has the internet in an uproar, so if you'd like to avoid spoilers, stop reading now.
Alright, still here? Anyway, the news was that the new version of Ultimate Spider-Man would be a new character completely, named Miles Morales, but seemingly more important is the fact that he's half African-American and half Hispanic. That news alone has a bunch of people in an uproar. Now don't get me wrong, I understand people may be upset that Spidey's mantle isn't being taken by someone close to Peter, or someone like Ben Reilly, but some people are delivering harsh criticisms of a character they haven't read about or have no background information. Some people are solely judging this character based on his heritage of being Black and Hispanic, so frankly, their being racist. Don't believe me? Here are a few quotes of what people are saying about Miles Morales, a Black/Hispanic Spider-Man, and race in general.
"Well, that nails it. Spidey’s dead to me."
"More politically correct stupidity! If the Spider Man series I read in the Sunday papers EVER changes from good ole white Peter Parker, I’ll simply cease to read it. If the PC nuts want to have super heros who represent other ethnic groups along with various sexual perversions then let them create new ones from scratch and leave our time cherished traditional heros alone!"
"What will he say when he runs into a criminal? “Sup Foo? Dis is MY ‘hood!”"
"That’s just dangerous. With spider powers, just think how much stuff he could steal, if he was not so lazy."
Those comments, as a black man, a comic fan, and a human being disgusted me. In this day and age, to think that people can be so racially insensitive, and to get that angry and disrespectful over a comic book character that you know nothing about, and are not obligated to read about is just stupid and sad. And here's one more comment that caught my eye.
"Shame on Marvel Comics! This is not diversity; this is a disgrace! Spiderman was Peter Parker, and Peter Parker was white. Create a new character if you want to prove that Marvel Comics is “diverse”. Minorities are typically less than 18% of the population, but they seem to get nearly 100% of the history. Why should white children not have a comic book hero that they can identify with?"
The one above is my favorite, because it makes NO damn sense. Really? Minorities have all of the history of comics? That person must've missed the 90% Caucasian Justice League that's coming out at the end of this month. I was under the impression that characters like Wolverine, Captain America, Superman, Batman, Ironman, Daredevil and etc. were white, but now I see their actually minorities. And really? Is it worth getting THAT upset about the new Spidey being of Hispanic and African-American descent? First of all, he's not even the MAIN Spider-Man! He's a Spider-Man you can read about if you choose to, no one is making you. You still have Peter Parker in the main Marvel Universe, he's still going to be in the Spider-Man movie next year, so why the uproar about one character taking the Spider-Man name and trying to be the best Spider-Man he can be, to help New York and to pay respects to the original, courageous Spider-Man that died a heroes death?
Another thing I want to comment on is Brian Michael Bendis, since he's the driving force behind this character. Bendis is the man that crafted the excellent send of story for the Ultimate Universe's Peter Parker, and it was his idea to make the new Spider-Man and mixture of Hispanic and African-American. Bendis has said that this character is personal to him, as he has two adopted children, one African-American and one that was born in Ethiopia. So considering he's in a position to create characters and decides to create one that can have different views than the traditional Peter Parker as well as make him relatable to Hispanic and African-American fans is a great move. There are plenty of white characters I relate to as a black man, so who's to say a white man can't relate to a Black or Hispanic character? Bendis says one of the main things that really made him want to make the new Spider-Man half African-American was seeing Donald Glover dressed as Spider-Man on the season two premiere of Community.
Bendis was quoted as saying, “He looked fantastic! I saw him in the costume and thought, ‘I would like to read that book.’ So I was glad I was writing that book.” I loved reading that because I'm a huge fan of Donald Glover's acting, writing, comedy and music. And for those that don't know, Donald Glover's Spider-Man costume on "Community" was an inside joke. Donald Glover actually auditioned to play Spider-Man in the new Spider-Man movie, but lost the role to Andrew Garfield. It all started on Twitter where Donald mentioned how he'd like to play Spider-Man as a joke, which started a huge twitter campaign Donald4SpiderMan, which eventually got so big it earned Donald the chance to audition for the role of Peter Parker/Spider-Man, which he of course didn't get. Sadly, that also resulted in a bunch of racist comments about how Spider-Man shouldn't be Black, much like the news of Miles Morales being the new Ultimate Spider-Man.
So, in a world where people are ready to flip out when a minority character debuts or takes up the mantle of someone else, we can only hope that Miles Morales is a great character and can get a fanbase behind him. If not, then back to the drawing board, but hating a character we know nothing about does no good for anyone. This isn't an African Batman, this isn't a Black Iron-Man or One Black Green Lantern out of thousands, this is Miles Morales, the half Hispanic, half African-American, Ultimate Spider-Man, and with great power, comes great responsibility.
Alright, still here? Anyway, the news was that the new version of Ultimate Spider-Man would be a new character completely, named Miles Morales, but seemingly more important is the fact that he's half African-American and half Hispanic. That news alone has a bunch of people in an uproar. Now don't get me wrong, I understand people may be upset that Spidey's mantle isn't being taken by someone close to Peter, or someone like Ben Reilly, but some people are delivering harsh criticisms of a character they haven't read about or have no background information. Some people are solely judging this character based on his heritage of being Black and Hispanic, so frankly, their being racist. Don't believe me? Here are a few quotes of what people are saying about Miles Morales, a Black/Hispanic Spider-Man, and race in general.
"Well, that nails it. Spidey’s dead to me."
"More politically correct stupidity! If the Spider Man series I read in the Sunday papers EVER changes from good ole white Peter Parker, I’ll simply cease to read it. If the PC nuts want to have super heros who represent other ethnic groups along with various sexual perversions then let them create new ones from scratch and leave our time cherished traditional heros alone!"
"What will he say when he runs into a criminal? “Sup Foo? Dis is MY ‘hood!”"
"That’s just dangerous. With spider powers, just think how much stuff he could steal, if he was not so lazy."
Those comments, as a black man, a comic fan, and a human being disgusted me. In this day and age, to think that people can be so racially insensitive, and to get that angry and disrespectful over a comic book character that you know nothing about, and are not obligated to read about is just stupid and sad. And here's one more comment that caught my eye.
"Shame on Marvel Comics! This is not diversity; this is a disgrace! Spiderman was Peter Parker, and Peter Parker was white. Create a new character if you want to prove that Marvel Comics is “diverse”. Minorities are typically less than 18% of the population, but they seem to get nearly 100% of the history. Why should white children not have a comic book hero that they can identify with?"
The one above is my favorite, because it makes NO damn sense. Really? Minorities have all of the history of comics? That person must've missed the 90% Caucasian Justice League that's coming out at the end of this month. I was under the impression that characters like Wolverine, Captain America, Superman, Batman, Ironman, Daredevil and etc. were white, but now I see their actually minorities. And really? Is it worth getting THAT upset about the new Spidey being of Hispanic and African-American descent? First of all, he's not even the MAIN Spider-Man! He's a Spider-Man you can read about if you choose to, no one is making you. You still have Peter Parker in the main Marvel Universe, he's still going to be in the Spider-Man movie next year, so why the uproar about one character taking the Spider-Man name and trying to be the best Spider-Man he can be, to help New York and to pay respects to the original, courageous Spider-Man that died a heroes death?
Bendis was quoted as saying, “He looked fantastic! I saw him in the costume and thought, ‘I would like to read that book.’ So I was glad I was writing that book.” I loved reading that because I'm a huge fan of Donald Glover's acting, writing, comedy and music. And for those that don't know, Donald Glover's Spider-Man costume on "Community" was an inside joke. Donald Glover actually auditioned to play Spider-Man in the new Spider-Man movie, but lost the role to Andrew Garfield. It all started on Twitter where Donald mentioned how he'd like to play Spider-Man as a joke, which started a huge twitter campaign Donald4SpiderMan, which eventually got so big it earned Donald the chance to audition for the role of Peter Parker/Spider-Man, which he of course didn't get. Sadly, that also resulted in a bunch of racist comments about how Spider-Man shouldn't be Black, much like the news of Miles Morales being the new Ultimate Spider-Man.
So, in a world where people are ready to flip out when a minority character debuts or takes up the mantle of someone else, we can only hope that Miles Morales is a great character and can get a fanbase behind him. If not, then back to the drawing board, but hating a character we know nothing about does no good for anyone. This isn't an African Batman, this isn't a Black Iron-Man or One Black Green Lantern out of thousands, this is Miles Morales, the half Hispanic, half African-American, Ultimate Spider-Man, and with great power, comes great responsibility.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
My 100th Post featuring The Top Five 5!
Hey everyone, welcome back to Jason Todd's Comic Spot for my 100th post. I wanna thank all my readers, the commenters and non-commenters, the followers and the readers that just come back every once in a while, and the readers that have followed from the first post all the way to this one. It's because of you guys I continue to blog and I enjoy doing it. I love seeing what you guys think, whether you agree or disagree and why, and this has made comics an even bigger part of my life, so I thank you for that.
A lot of people ask me things about my blog, and instead of saying a bunch of things in one big boring post, I figured I'd cut them up into a nice Q&A of my frequently asked questions. If anyone has any other questions that I don't answer here, feel free to ask them in the comments.
Q: Why is your screen name Jason Todd?
A: I'm a big Jason Todd fan, but that's not why I chose the screen name. Back when Batman Arkham Asylum was going to come out I joined the message boards as Jason Todd. After being there for a while a buddy from the boards by the name of Amputechture came up with the idea of us starting a comic review blog. Long story short, Batmania Reviews was born, and after a great three months, closed due to lack of posts. Also, Poison Quinn a.k.a. Falisha did posts there as well, so I'd recommend checking it out if you're ever bored.
Q: What made you start JTCS?
A: X-Man75. Simple as that, I stumbled onto his blog while googling Nightwing comics trying to find some good arcs. Since X, like the OCD-freak he is, reviewed the entire Nightwing run, i found his blog and started reading for a while. I eventually commented and we quickly became like brothers. When Batmania came up, X convinced me to give blogging another go almost a year ago, and now here I am with my 100th post. So X helped me start it, and great commenters like Falisha, Kello, Marc, Paul, Benicio, Landry Walker, and even Nagash and Jozeph have helped keep this comic blog afloat.
Q: What are some of your more memorable posts?
A: I'd say... the Mad Hatter review only due to the surprise reply by Landry. The huge post on Jason Todd because it was the longest post I've ever done. The review of Deadpool: Suicide Kings since it really reignited my fandom for Deadpool. Of course the Animated Film reviews and the Green Blogger Corps. Also reviewing Spider-Man Noir, because since that Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions game came out, whenever people look up Spider-Man Noir they find my blog.
Q: What are your favorite and least favorite Reviews?
A: Favorite would probably be What I Learned From Blackest Night/Cry For Justice because they were so fun due to the absurdity of things when spelled out. I can guarantee there will be one for Brightest Day. Least favorite would be Wonder Woman: Hiketeia, which is one of my least favorite comics ever.
But that's all I really wanted to say guys, once again thanks for helping me get to 100 posts, I appreciate you guys reading my half-assed reviews, and I'll continue to type them as loing as you guys are willing to read them. So, one more time, Thanks. Now, enough of that mushy stuff, it's time for the Top Five 5! We're gonna do things just like always, I'm going to list each category along with each person's picks. So let's get into it. And just to remind everyone, here's the color guideline:
Jason Todd
Top Five Memories/Posts/Favorite Things about Jason Todd's Comic Spot
JT watching Batman: Under the Red Hood approximately 500 times and then telling us about it :D
Catwoman
Two Face
Joker
Hush
Scarecrow
Bart Allen
Inertia
Wally West
Barry Allen (All hail St. Barry Allen)
Jay Garrick (He's soooo old!)
Barry Allen
Jimmy Olsen
A lot of people ask me things about my blog, and instead of saying a bunch of things in one big boring post, I figured I'd cut them up into a nice Q&A of my frequently asked questions. If anyone has any other questions that I don't answer here, feel free to ask them in the comments.
Q: Why is your screen name Jason Todd?
A: I'm a big Jason Todd fan, but that's not why I chose the screen name. Back when Batman Arkham Asylum was going to come out I joined the message boards as Jason Todd. After being there for a while a buddy from the boards by the name of Amputechture came up with the idea of us starting a comic review blog. Long story short, Batmania Reviews was born, and after a great three months, closed due to lack of posts. Also, Poison Quinn a.k.a. Falisha did posts there as well, so I'd recommend checking it out if you're ever bored.
Q: What made you start JTCS?
A: X-Man75. Simple as that, I stumbled onto his blog while googling Nightwing comics trying to find some good arcs. Since X, like the OCD-freak he is, reviewed the entire Nightwing run, i found his blog and started reading for a while. I eventually commented and we quickly became like brothers. When Batmania came up, X convinced me to give blogging another go almost a year ago, and now here I am with my 100th post. So X helped me start it, and great commenters like Falisha, Kello, Marc, Paul, Benicio, Landry Walker, and even Nagash and Jozeph have helped keep this comic blog afloat.
Q: What are some of your more memorable posts?
A: I'd say... the Mad Hatter review only due to the surprise reply by Landry. The huge post on Jason Todd because it was the longest post I've ever done. The review of Deadpool: Suicide Kings since it really reignited my fandom for Deadpool. Of course the Animated Film reviews and the Green Blogger Corps. Also reviewing Spider-Man Noir, because since that Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions game came out, whenever people look up Spider-Man Noir they find my blog.
Q: What are your favorite and least favorite Reviews?
A: Favorite would probably be What I Learned From Blackest Night/Cry For Justice because they were so fun due to the absurdity of things when spelled out. I can guarantee there will be one for Brightest Day. Least favorite would be Wonder Woman: Hiketeia, which is one of my least favorite comics ever.
But that's all I really wanted to say guys, once again thanks for helping me get to 100 posts, I appreciate you guys reading my half-assed reviews, and I'll continue to type them as loing as you guys are willing to read them. So, one more time, Thanks. Now, enough of that mushy stuff, it's time for the Top Five 5! We're gonna do things just like always, I'm going to list each category along with each person's picks. So let's get into it. And just to remind everyone, here's the color guideline:
Jason Todd
Marc
Kello
X-Man Falisha
Top Five Mutants
Daken
Wolverine
Gambit (due to Cartoons)
Magneto
Juggernaut
Wolverine
Cyclops
Storm
Gambit
Psylocke
Cyclops
Storm
Gambit
Psylocke
Colossus
Magneto
Wolverine…remember when he was only in X-Men titles?
Mystique
Namor
Nate Grey
Daken
Madrox
Vulcan
Magneto
Namor (since I guess Marvel is intent on him being a mutant now...)
Banshee
Cyclops
Wolverine
Magneto
Top Five Memories/Posts/Favorite Things about Jason Todd's Comic Spot
The Mad Hatter Review
Reviewing The Red Hood Animated Film
Green Blogger Corps
The First Ever Top Five
Can Jason Todd Regain Glory post
Your first post, I remember how excited you were about it.
Meeting X and the crew through your blog. :)
The invention of Top 5.
The Posting of Green Blogger Corps, lol, best story ever.
Celebrating of your 100th post!!! Woo congrats!!!
Meeting X and the crew through your blog. :)
The invention of Top 5.
The Posting of Green Blogger Corps, lol, best story ever.
Celebrating of your 100th post!!! Woo congrats!!!
I originally thought Jason Todd was a personality made up by X-Man because they were so similar (No joke. Like in Fight Club). (Lmao... that would explain SO much.)
That I got quoted at the top of the page. I enjoy that every time I visit. Thanks!
Two letters: N/A. He doesn’t just review the material, he determines whether it has the right to exist within the realm of things that can be reviewed.
Top 5’s!
The amazingness of the Green Blogger Corps one-shot. Poozers.
The Infamous Mad Hatter post
The Return of Bruce Wayne #2 review
The sweet logo
Seeing my comments :P
Umm, everything? Can I just say that? (I would've accepted your sixth choice X, but you wanted to be nice, haha.)JT watching Batman: Under the Red Hood approximately 500 times and then telling us about it :D
The Green Blogger Corps
JT getting more into Marvel with Wolverine: Enemy of the State and The Adamantium Men
The "Mad Hatter" Incident
And, more generally, just getting to know JT and all of the other fine bloggers who post here over the last year, which has been fantastic! (Awww that's nice. And I watched Red Hood THREE times :P)
Top Five Batman Villains
The Joker
Hush
Clayface
Harley Quinn
Black Mask (Roman)
Two Face
Joker
Hush
Scarecrow
Joker
Two-Face
Penguin (Screw all y’all!) (PLEASE tell us why Kello.)
Does Roxy Rocket count? (Yes...yes she does)
Firefly
Joker
Hush
Ra's Al Ghul
Scarecrow
Two-Face
Two-Face
Deadshot
Riddler
Ra's Al Ghul
Joker
Top Five Speedsters in Order of Most Favorite to Least
Bart Allen
Wally West
Inertia
Zoom
Jay Garrick
Jay Garrick
Inertia
Wally West
Barry Allen (All hail St. Barry Allen)
Jay Garrick (He's soooo old!)
Wally West
Barry Allen
Jay Garrick
Reverse Flash
Bart Allen
Bart Allen
Wally West
Inertia/Kid Zoom
Quicksilver
Speed
Barry Allen
Jay Garrick
Wally West
Bart Allen
Quicksilver :D
Top Five Comic Characters You'd Punch in the Face if you could
Tony Stark
Damian Wayne (I know he's a kid)
Beast Boy
Norman "Gobby" Osborn
Hush for what he did to Catwoman
Green Arrow
Damian Wayne
Lex Luthor
Grant Morrison
Booster Gold. Lol.(BLASPHEMY!!! Lol)
Damian Wayne
Lex Luthor
Grant Morrison
Booster Gold. Lol.(BLASPHEMY!!! Lol)
Darkseid
Norman Osborn
Magog
Larfleeze
Batman (Just to say I did) (That's an excellent choice...)
Jimmy Olsen
Saint Barry Allen (yeah I know, blasphemy!)
Plastic Man (sorry, Kello!)
Cyclops
Wasp (hey, it worked for Pym!) (Lmao...)I would use all five punches on just one character -- Gambit! (And I'd probably kick him too.) (Marc wins, Flawless Victory.)
Category Winners
Most Favorite Mutant(s): Wolverine and Magneto
Top JTCS Memory: The Green Blogger Corps
Most Favorite Batman Villain: The Joker
Most Favorite Speedster: Bart Allen
Character(s) most deserving a punch to the face: Norman Osborn and Damian Wayne
So, I'm not shocked at all Wolvie won but I was shocked to see more Magneto votes than I expected. Glad he could shake things up a bit. I'm also glad you guys liked the Green Blogger Corps so much, I promise I'll do a part two one day... I just need some inspiration. The Joker winning as the favorite Batman Villain was pretty obvious, I should've excluded him in hindsight. I was surprised that Bart was the first Speedster picked on three outta five lists with Wally and Barry each getting one top vote. And lastly Damian Wayne and Stormin' Norman deserve a punch in the face. Maybe it's time to market them as attack dummies? So that's it for my 100th post, thanks for reading and being apart of this big post, you guys are the best. Don't forget to vote on the newest poll as well. So that's it for me, until next time I'm your friendly neighborhood Blogger-Man, Jason Todd, signing off.
Top JTCS Memory: The Green Blogger Corps
Most Favorite Batman Villain: The Joker
Most Favorite Speedster: Bart Allen
Character(s) most deserving a punch to the face: Norman Osborn and Damian Wayne
So, I'm not shocked at all Wolvie won but I was shocked to see more Magneto votes than I expected. Glad he could shake things up a bit. I'm also glad you guys liked the Green Blogger Corps so much, I promise I'll do a part two one day... I just need some inspiration. The Joker winning as the favorite Batman Villain was pretty obvious, I should've excluded him in hindsight. I was surprised that Bart was the first Speedster picked on three outta five lists with Wally and Barry each getting one top vote. And lastly Damian Wayne and Stormin' Norman deserve a punch in the face. Maybe it's time to market them as attack dummies? So that's it for my 100th post, thanks for reading and being apart of this big post, you guys are the best. Don't forget to vote on the newest poll as well. So that's it for me, until next time I'm your friendly neighborhood Blogger-Man, Jason Todd, signing off.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Top Five 5 Reminder
Hey guys, just reminding everyone that I'll be posting the Top Five 5 tomorrow, the deadline for picks is tonight and I only have mine and Paul C's so If anyone wants to be included be sure to send your picks to KevinKavalier@gmail.com. Remember to send me your top five choices for each category, the categories are:
Top 5 Marvel/DC Team-Ups You'd like to see
Top 5 Marvel vs. DC Fights You'd like to see (for the first time or a rematch)
Top 5 Comic Characters who you wish had a TV Show, Cartoon or Movie
Top 5 Most Overrated Characters
Top 5 Five Characters you'd like to put on a team together
Here's hoping I get a few more picks from you guys, and I'll be back tomorrow with the main post.
Top 5 Marvel/DC Team-Ups You'd like to see
Top 5 Marvel vs. DC Fights You'd like to see (for the first time or a rematch)
Top 5 Comic Characters who you wish had a TV Show, Cartoon or Movie
Top 5 Most Overrated Characters
Top 5 Five Characters you'd like to put on a team together
Here's hoping I get a few more picks from you guys, and I'll be back tomorrow with the main post.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Ratings and Rantings
Hey everyone, JT here, welcoming back to my Red Hood for another edition of Ratings and Rantings! Last week's was a little late, but we're back on schedule this week. I was gonna review Dark Wolverine #90 but I didn't know Time Masters came out this week so I picked that up instead. I'll review Dark Wolverine's final issue next week though. Other than that, I'm not gonna stall or keep you guys bored because I know ya come here for reviews, yes I know where my bread is buttered. But I do wanna ask anyone who isn't to follow the new blog started by myself and X-Man75 of X-Man's Comic Blog dedicated to Saint Barry Allen. So make sure you check out our fun little blog and be sure to follow it and get all the Saint Barry Allen-Goodness at the All Hail Saint Barry Allen blog!
The second issue in the two-part mini where we see what happened to Batman between the events of Batman R.I.P. and Final Crisis has finally arrived. As you guys and gals may or may not remember, I enjoyed the last issue, but with Grant Morrison stuff is either hit or miss with me, so hopefully I'll have good things to say about this issue. We start off with Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman updating the JLA on the seriousness of the fact that a New God has been killed and how dangerous whatever and whoever killed him must be. They put the JLA on condition Amber. The little things, like Batman calling Wally West "Wallace" are things that help you remember that this is Bruce and not Dick Grayson after a year of him under the cowl. We see things that we've seen clips of in the past like Batman talking to Superman about the time traveling bullet, and when he confronted Alpha Lantern Kraken in Final Crisis. All the while we see excerpts from his diary or a note he's writing, discussing how he's a man who tries to fight against Aliens and Gods. We also find the back story between the Batman that was resurrected in the Lazarus Pits in Batman and Robin a few months ago. We also see the huge scene where Batman stands face to face with Darkseid before taking him out with the Radion bullet. This issue was really well done so I've gotta commend Grant, I may not like some of his work but I do love some of his other comics, and this is a great one. Although he just showed us scenes we've seen already from Batman's point-of-view it was still interesting and kept me wanting to know more. I'm sure it also unlocked some secrets for Return of Bruce Wayne readers but I'm not following that series, anyway this was a really good comic, nothing epic or mind-blowing but a good solid comic. I'd give this issue an 8.5/10.
Batman: I made a very solemn vow about firearms. But for you, I'm making a once-in-a-lifetime exception.
Generation Lost, my favorite Bi-Weekly comic right now, picks up where issue seven left off with our heroes, Booster Gold, Rocket Red, Blue Beetle, Fire and Ice, dressed up in their Rocket Red attires surrounded by a bunch of armed Checkmate guards. Booster takes control and has Skeets patch the Checkmate computers to find Maxwell Lord's location, then has Rocket Red talk some communist stuff at Checkmate to stall them, but sadly they discover that Max isn't in the building. Our heroes, stuck in a stalemate with Checkmate decide to resign from the game. (I love Chess lingo :P ) Anyway, during their escape from Checkmate, Rocket Red takes some office via some type of electric scrambler that was placed on his suit. Fire gets angry and causes her suit to explode off of her, so the rest of the team decides to stop hiding and use their powers to subdue the Checkmate guards. With a little help from Captain Atom, the former JLI make their way back to their base. While there, Ice talks about how she never asked to be apart of any of this and doesn't want to do it anymore. We also see a nice moment between Fire and Rocket Red, who I think may become the resident couple, if Red isn't killed or something, which I hope he isn't since I'm starting to like him. The ending caught me by surprise, a common theme in this series, as I gotta say I didn't expect what happened to happen this soon, but I'll be waiting for the next issue to see how this goes from there. I'd give this issue an 8/10 rating.
Rocket Red: I love this woman! I know vhy she is called Fire!
This issue starts off with Lex, Lois and Slade Wilson getting off of Lex's personal Jet in Antarctica. It's said that Lex has brought Deathstroke to help him find a remaining Black Lantern Ring, as they are near the residual energy source. They eventually find the black source of the ring. Slade goes first to check out the energy because he has a bad feeling about it, as he should. While he's by the power source, Lex starts talking about how great an accomplishment this is, and Slade freaks out for some reason and rushes towards Lex. Lex has his people keep Slade occupied by being killed by him while Lex puts on his portable power suit. The former President of The United States takes on Deathstroke and sends his scientists to go scan the power source. Another one of his scientists succumbs to the power of the black sphere and it causes her to become homicidal as well. We also finally find out why Lex's head is unprotected when we see him in his power suit, because he has a force field surrounding it. Not the best explanation but it's better than him being so stupid that he leaves his head vulnerable. Our Bald Genius also figures out that strong emotions cause you to lose control quicker. The ending of this issue leads us to a showdown of the minds for the next issue that should be pretty good. This wasn't a bad comic, the pacing just seemed kinda slow and hard stay interested in so I'll give this issue a 6.5/10. Oh, and the Superboy Co-Feature made me 100% that I have no interest in reading the series now... man that was bad.
Lex Luthor: I'll deal with Deathstroke.
I wasn't aware this came out this week until I saw it in the store so this was a pleasant surprise. We kick things off with a young Rip Hunter and his father watching a great moment in time. They're watching the moment Superman's rocket lands on the planet earth. Rip's father tells him that he has to protect moments like this in the time stream to make sure no one ever ruins them and changes history or the future, and that one day it will be Rip's job. We then jump up to present time, whenever that may be, and see Rip fighting some type of savage man that thinks Rip is a murderer. With some help from Skeets, Rip subdues the Savage and talks to him, telling him he's not the man he's looking to kill. Rip decides to help the savage known as Claw on his mission, due to there being a stream of chronal energy, and maybe it will lead him back to Booster Gold, Green Lantern and Superman. From there we see Black Beetle (whose red for some reason) and a team he's put together consisting of Despero, Degaton and Ultra-Humanite from different moments in time so they can work together and get control over time. We then catch up with Green, Gold and Big Blue, in the middle of a war zone where some armed guys are shooting at unarmed humans, so Supes decides to jump in, even though Booster reminds him Rip said not to. They help and Superman and Green Lantern, like the arrogant jerks they are take shots at Booster for being a glory hound and such. Then like the hero he is, Booster saves GL. We then see Rip and Claw heading forward to find this evil wizard when they are attacked by some tentacles that pull them under water, when they arise, Rip see's that he can see various moments in time in the water. We then jump to Booster's sister Michelle (Goldstar) and his cousin Daniel (Super Nova) in Rip's lab. The ending of this issue was a bit surprising, but the comic overall was a good read, nice pacing and a really well done story. I'd give this issue a 9/10.
Green Lantern: I can see why you'd like to help find Batman. A guy like you could parlay that into a million-dollar payday. Maybe even get your own Reality show.
It's the historic 75th issue of Superman/Batman! Who would've thought that by combining the two biggest names in DC Comics and you'd get a nice ongoing series? Well this big action packed issue kicks off with some dude who looks kinda like Lex but greenish in the future, fighting past the Legion of Superheroes and going back in time. Supes, in our present time is flying around relaxing and hears the time barrier cracking around his favorite tree (who the hell has a favorite tree?!) and heads there expecting the Legion. The Lex-look-alike pops out and socks Supes in the face, drawing blood. We then jump over to The Dark Knight in his Batcave, listening to the bats fly around as he stitches himself up. Suddenly, Dawnstar flies in with Superman cradled in her arm asking Batman to help him. We soon see Batman has been sent on some errand at Lexcorp and he's not too happy about it. Batman finally gets in and finds a Luthor cloning speciman which is in a tiny test tube. Shrinking Violet (Too many Legionnaires!) pops out of Bats' utility belt, drops something into the tube then they replace it and leave. We eventually find out that it was a Kryptonite powered Lex clone that poisoned Supes....well thanks for telling us now! After some arguing the Legionnaires go back in time while Batman takes care of Superman like a big burly nurse on Halloween. The Legion then go back and help Superboy beta the Kryptonite Lex clone...then end. well if that were the only story I'd give this issue a 1 because that was awfully boring. Then we see a two page story that was boring.... very boring. Then there was another two page story that took place at a comic-con where I chuckled. There was a nice little quick story where Tim Drake asks Dick Grayson if he should tell Superboy he kissed Wonder Girl, and SB asks Superman what he'd do it Bruce kissed Lois. There's also a funny page long story with Joker and Lex that's clearly channeling the old Calvin and Hobbes comic strips. Overall there was more bad than good in this 75th issue which is sad because I like most of the series so far, but this one doesn't keep up with the other issues. I'd give this issue a 2/10. I wanted to like it but I felt like I ended up wasting my money, so I wouldn't recommend it.
Dick Grayson: I can't believe you made out with Cassie... I'd never be stupid enough to make out with Selina.
It's that time of the month again, for the lovely ladies of Gotham's former crime elite, The Gotham City Sirens, take center stage. We start things off with Catwoman and Harley Quinn armed with two tanks of defoliant on their backs looking for Poison Ivy and her new "ally" from the last issue. Harls and Selina use the defoliant to clear a path from the many plants that have sprouted up due to some pollen being spread, if ya catch my drift. *wink wink* For the record, I don't even catch my drift, so if you don't that's fine. We finally see Poison Ivy and she's turning purple for some reason, but unlike Violet Beauregard I don't think she's eaten any Willy Wonka chewing gum. Oh yeah, I'm dropping all types of references today. Ivy tells the plant-alien how she used to be human until Jason Woodrue injected her with some compounds that changed her Dioxy-Ribonucleic Acid or DNA (Told ya I could use it in a review X!) and made her into a Plant-woman. Selina and Harley continue to burn down all the plants in their way until Ivy steps out of the plants. She confronts the other two Sirens about killing her plants and gets angry, as a fight breaks out between Catwoman and Harley versus Ivy and her new "boyfriend." The best part of this issue was Harley comparing Ivy and the plant guy to herself and The Joker, because it was a great comparison and a nice way to show that Harley is evolving from just being Joker's sidekick. The ending seemed kinda last minute, I would've liked something better but it was fine for what it was, as was this issue. The next issue is billed ad "The Return of Talia Al Ghul" so hopefully that should be the start of a good arc. I'll give this issue a 6.5/10.
Harley Quinn: He's using you... just like you use normal guys... like Mister J used Me...
And the comic with second longest wait of the year, hailing from DC Comics..... Superman: Secret Origins!!!! The first issue came out in September of 2009, this blog hadn't even debuted yet, now here I am reviewing issue number six. Things start off big with General Lane and his men commandeering the Daily Planet. When Lois confronts her father and claims Superman would never attack the U.S. Military without being attacked first, Gen. Lane asks his Lois trusts Superman. When she replies, "More than I trust you." he drops the bombshell and asks if Superman ever told her that he was an alien, leaving Lois, Perry and the rest of the D.P. staff shocked. Elsewhere we see Lex Luthor in a lab, operating on someone before breaking into a huge grin says "He's alive." From there we see some members of the military in the sewers looking for the Man of Steel, they stumble upon him but he uses his super speed to dodge their bullets, take their guns apart and then burst out of the sewer, and asks everyone to hold their fire so they don't harm innocents but they continue to bombard him with Rocket Launchers and bullets. Back in the Daily Planet, General Lane explains that Superman is an alien and they know his weakness, then plans to shut down the Daily Planet. Jimmy and Lois hatch a plan so she can get out of the office and to Superman. Back with Superman, he's trying to subdue the men and women of the military when he's attacked from behind by Sergeant Corben wearing a new suit. Lois warns Big Blue to leave the planet so they don't kill him with the meteorite, he doesn't back down and rushes towards Corben to fight him, punching off his helmet, revealing what's basically a corpse in a big metal suit, and starts calling himself Metallo. Eh, I like the other version better. I won't ruin the rest of the fight, but afterwards a very well-written (by Geoff not Supes) speech by The Man of Steel shows us why he is the embodiment of hope... and not Saint Barry Allen. :P Other great moments were the big Superman/Lex Luthor confrontation that was expected, and the Superman/Lois Lane confrontation the dialogue was very strong and seemed true to the characters. Overall I think this was a really good ending to the mini-series, there's not much you can deviate from with the history of Superman but Geoff did a fine job, I'd give this issue a 9/10.
Superman: Because I can't. And even if I could, I wouldn't. This is my home. And I'm not going to let you ruin it anymore.
This cover is so gruesome that it looks awesome. It's definitely one of my favorite covers this year, maybe ever. How fitting is it that Green Arrow gets "Prometheus'd." We start this issue off with Green Arrow lying there with an arrow in his skull, waiting to die, as he compares it to his days on the island, waiting to die until he found a reason to live. We even see a few panels that reminded me of the fantastic Green Arrow: Year One comics. He lies there, surprisingly not dead, while three big dogs run toward him, until he's saved by the big guy that X-Man called Thor over on his blog not too long ago. The man picks Ollie up and takes him to a part of the forest and holds him underwater in a lake, where it asks "Do you deserve to live?" In Ollie's thoughts, he mentions that he's abandoned his son, murdered, alienated everyone he loves and couldn't keep anyone safe, including Star City. We see flashbacks that show us Ollie as a kid, and his parents, who had problems of their own, as Mr. Queen was unfaithful and was suggested to have done things with his secretary. After this, we see Ollie rise out of the water, and the flying water makes the White Lantern symbol. Oliver, being the jerk he is, blames the man who saved his life for trying to kill him, but the Mystery Man deflects all of Ollie's attacks until he can convince him he didn't try to murder the Emerald Archer. We then jump to Mary, the chick Ollie saved in the forest in issue one, trying to help sick people, but not having the resources due to Queen Industries snatching up all the health contracts. Back with Green Arrow we see he was saved by someone who believes he's Knight Galahad, of King Arthur's Round table. After discussing why he's there, Oliver interrupts by saying he doesn't know what's more confusing, why the forest saved him, or who tried to kill him. With another flashback we see the life of a young woman who encountered Robert Queen back in the past, he was drawn to her and even called her "Pretty Bird." We come to find out that this is the woman that is currently the new owner of Queen Industries. Back with Oliver and Galahad, they discuss like in the forest before a blinding white light shines, and Oliver, looking for answers, runs into the light. While there he sees the forest go through all four seasons, in a matter of seconds while Star City remains unchanged, before the issue abruptly ends. I mean like, next page ends. I liked this comic but the ending was so random and abrupt that it threw me off guard. But the majority of this issue was damn good and interesting, I'll give this issue a 9/10 rating as well.
Green Arrow: As Green Arrow, I've stood up to every adversary to cross my path. But as Oliver Queen, it seems I'm my own worst enemy.
So that's all for this week's Ratings and Rantings everyone, as always thanks for reading and feel free to comment. Also, this weekend since I couldn't last week, we're going to have another Top 5 Five! Oh yeah, I can hear that excitement rumbling in the pit of your stomach, or it may just be gas. Either way, the categories are below, so make sure you send me your top five for each of the five topics at KevinKavalier@Gmail.com by Sunday Noon EST. Time and I'll make sure your picks are counted.
Top 5 Marvel/DC Team-Ups You'd like to see
Top 5 Marvel vs. DC Fights You'd like to see (for the first time or a rematch)
Top 5 Comic Characters who you wish had a TV Show, Cartoon or Movie
Top 5 Most Overrated Characters
Top 5 Five Characters you'd like to put on a team together
The sooner the better people so send those picks in! I'll make sure I post the results this weekend, until then, I'm your Neighborhood Blogger-man and Saint Barry Allen worshiper, JT!
Brightest Day #9, Red Hood: Lost Days #4, Dark Wolverine #90 and Shadowland #3...That's it?! I guess so....
Batman #702
The second issue in the two-part mini where we see what happened to Batman between the events of Batman R.I.P. and Final Crisis has finally arrived. As you guys and gals may or may not remember, I enjoyed the last issue, but with Grant Morrison stuff is either hit or miss with me, so hopefully I'll have good things to say about this issue. We start off with Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman updating the JLA on the seriousness of the fact that a New God has been killed and how dangerous whatever and whoever killed him must be. They put the JLA on condition Amber. The little things, like Batman calling Wally West "Wallace" are things that help you remember that this is Bruce and not Dick Grayson after a year of him under the cowl. We see things that we've seen clips of in the past like Batman talking to Superman about the time traveling bullet, and when he confronted Alpha Lantern Kraken in Final Crisis. All the while we see excerpts from his diary or a note he's writing, discussing how he's a man who tries to fight against Aliens and Gods. We also find the back story between the Batman that was resurrected in the Lazarus Pits in Batman and Robin a few months ago. We also see the huge scene where Batman stands face to face with Darkseid before taking him out with the Radion bullet. This issue was really well done so I've gotta commend Grant, I may not like some of his work but I do love some of his other comics, and this is a great one. Although he just showed us scenes we've seen already from Batman's point-of-view it was still interesting and kept me wanting to know more. I'm sure it also unlocked some secrets for Return of Bruce Wayne readers but I'm not following that series, anyway this was a really good comic, nothing epic or mind-blowing but a good solid comic. I'd give this issue an 8.5/10.
Justice League Generation Lost #8
Generation Lost, my favorite Bi-Weekly comic right now, picks up where issue seven left off with our heroes, Booster Gold, Rocket Red, Blue Beetle, Fire and Ice, dressed up in their Rocket Red attires surrounded by a bunch of armed Checkmate guards. Booster takes control and has Skeets patch the Checkmate computers to find Maxwell Lord's location, then has Rocket Red talk some communist stuff at Checkmate to stall them, but sadly they discover that Max isn't in the building. Our heroes, stuck in a stalemate with Checkmate decide to resign from the game. (I love Chess lingo :P ) Anyway, during their escape from Checkmate, Rocket Red takes some office via some type of electric scrambler that was placed on his suit. Fire gets angry and causes her suit to explode off of her, so the rest of the team decides to stop hiding and use their powers to subdue the Checkmate guards. With a little help from Captain Atom, the former JLI make their way back to their base. While there, Ice talks about how she never asked to be apart of any of this and doesn't want to do it anymore. We also see a nice moment between Fire and Rocket Red, who I think may become the resident couple, if Red isn't killed or something, which I hope he isn't since I'm starting to like him. The ending caught me by surprise, a common theme in this series, as I gotta say I didn't expect what happened to happen this soon, but I'll be waiting for the next issue to see how this goes from there. I'd give this issue an 8/10 rating.
Action Comics #892
This issue starts off with Lex, Lois and Slade Wilson getting off of Lex's personal Jet in Antarctica. It's said that Lex has brought Deathstroke to help him find a remaining Black Lantern Ring, as they are near the residual energy source. They eventually find the black source of the ring. Slade goes first to check out the energy because he has a bad feeling about it, as he should. While he's by the power source, Lex starts talking about how great an accomplishment this is, and Slade freaks out for some reason and rushes towards Lex. Lex has his people keep Slade occupied by being killed by him while Lex puts on his portable power suit. The former President of The United States takes on Deathstroke and sends his scientists to go scan the power source. Another one of his scientists succumbs to the power of the black sphere and it causes her to become homicidal as well. We also finally find out why Lex's head is unprotected when we see him in his power suit, because he has a force field surrounding it. Not the best explanation but it's better than him being so stupid that he leaves his head vulnerable. Our Bald Genius also figures out that strong emotions cause you to lose control quicker. The ending of this issue leads us to a showdown of the minds for the next issue that should be pretty good. This wasn't a bad comic, the pacing just seemed kinda slow and hard stay interested in so I'll give this issue a 6.5/10. Oh, and the Superboy Co-Feature made me 100% that I have no interest in reading the series now... man that was bad.
Lex Luthor: I'll deal with Deathstroke.
Time Masters: Vanishing Point #2
I wasn't aware this came out this week until I saw it in the store so this was a pleasant surprise. We kick things off with a young Rip Hunter and his father watching a great moment in time. They're watching the moment Superman's rocket lands on the planet earth. Rip's father tells him that he has to protect moments like this in the time stream to make sure no one ever ruins them and changes history or the future, and that one day it will be Rip's job. We then jump up to present time, whenever that may be, and see Rip fighting some type of savage man that thinks Rip is a murderer. With some help from Skeets, Rip subdues the Savage and talks to him, telling him he's not the man he's looking to kill. Rip decides to help the savage known as Claw on his mission, due to there being a stream of chronal energy, and maybe it will lead him back to Booster Gold, Green Lantern and Superman. From there we see Black Beetle (whose red for some reason) and a team he's put together consisting of Despero, Degaton and Ultra-Humanite from different moments in time so they can work together and get control over time. We then catch up with Green, Gold and Big Blue, in the middle of a war zone where some armed guys are shooting at unarmed humans, so Supes decides to jump in, even though Booster reminds him Rip said not to. They help and Superman and Green Lantern, like the arrogant jerks they are take shots at Booster for being a glory hound and such. Then like the hero he is, Booster saves GL. We then see Rip and Claw heading forward to find this evil wizard when they are attacked by some tentacles that pull them under water, when they arise, Rip see's that he can see various moments in time in the water. We then jump to Booster's sister Michelle (Goldstar) and his cousin Daniel (Super Nova) in Rip's lab. The ending of this issue was a bit surprising, but the comic overall was a good read, nice pacing and a really well done story. I'd give this issue a 9/10.
Superman/Batman #75
It's the historic 75th issue of Superman/Batman! Who would've thought that by combining the two biggest names in DC Comics and you'd get a nice ongoing series? Well this big action packed issue kicks off with some dude who looks kinda like Lex but greenish in the future, fighting past the Legion of Superheroes and going back in time. Supes, in our present time is flying around relaxing and hears the time barrier cracking around his favorite tree (who the hell has a favorite tree?!) and heads there expecting the Legion. The Lex-look-alike pops out and socks Supes in the face, drawing blood. We then jump over to The Dark Knight in his Batcave, listening to the bats fly around as he stitches himself up. Suddenly, Dawnstar flies in with Superman cradled in her arm asking Batman to help him. We soon see Batman has been sent on some errand at Lexcorp and he's not too happy about it. Batman finally gets in and finds a Luthor cloning speciman which is in a tiny test tube. Shrinking Violet (Too many Legionnaires!) pops out of Bats' utility belt, drops something into the tube then they replace it and leave. We eventually find out that it was a Kryptonite powered Lex clone that poisoned Supes....well thanks for telling us now! After some arguing the Legionnaires go back in time while Batman takes care of Superman like a big burly nurse on Halloween. The Legion then go back and help Superboy beta the Kryptonite Lex clone...then end. well if that were the only story I'd give this issue a 1 because that was awfully boring. Then we see a two page story that was boring.... very boring. Then there was another two page story that took place at a comic-con where I chuckled. There was a nice little quick story where Tim Drake asks Dick Grayson if he should tell Superboy he kissed Wonder Girl, and SB asks Superman what he'd do it Bruce kissed Lois. There's also a funny page long story with Joker and Lex that's clearly channeling the old Calvin and Hobbes comic strips. Overall there was more bad than good in this 75th issue which is sad because I like most of the series so far, but this one doesn't keep up with the other issues. I'd give this issue a 2/10. I wanted to like it but I felt like I ended up wasting my money, so I wouldn't recommend it.
Gotham City Sirens #15
It's that time of the month again, for the lovely ladies of Gotham's former crime elite, The Gotham City Sirens, take center stage. We start things off with Catwoman and Harley Quinn armed with two tanks of defoliant on their backs looking for Poison Ivy and her new "ally" from the last issue. Harls and Selina use the defoliant to clear a path from the many plants that have sprouted up due to some pollen being spread, if ya catch my drift. *wink wink* For the record, I don't even catch my drift, so if you don't that's fine. We finally see Poison Ivy and she's turning purple for some reason, but unlike Violet Beauregard I don't think she's eaten any Willy Wonka chewing gum. Oh yeah, I'm dropping all types of references today. Ivy tells the plant-alien how she used to be human until Jason Woodrue injected her with some compounds that changed her Dioxy-Ribonucleic Acid or DNA (Told ya I could use it in a review X!) and made her into a Plant-woman. Selina and Harley continue to burn down all the plants in their way until Ivy steps out of the plants. She confronts the other two Sirens about killing her plants and gets angry, as a fight breaks out between Catwoman and Harley versus Ivy and her new "boyfriend." The best part of this issue was Harley comparing Ivy and the plant guy to herself and The Joker, because it was a great comparison and a nice way to show that Harley is evolving from just being Joker's sidekick. The ending seemed kinda last minute, I would've liked something better but it was fine for what it was, as was this issue. The next issue is billed ad "The Return of Talia Al Ghul" so hopefully that should be the start of a good arc. I'll give this issue a 6.5/10.
Harley Quinn: He's using you... just like you use normal guys... like Mister J used Me...
Superman: Secret Origins #6
And the comic with second longest wait of the year, hailing from DC Comics..... Superman: Secret Origins!!!! The first issue came out in September of 2009, this blog hadn't even debuted yet, now here I am reviewing issue number six. Things start off big with General Lane and his men commandeering the Daily Planet. When Lois confronts her father and claims Superman would never attack the U.S. Military without being attacked first, Gen. Lane asks his Lois trusts Superman. When she replies, "More than I trust you." he drops the bombshell and asks if Superman ever told her that he was an alien, leaving Lois, Perry and the rest of the D.P. staff shocked. Elsewhere we see Lex Luthor in a lab, operating on someone before breaking into a huge grin says "He's alive." From there we see some members of the military in the sewers looking for the Man of Steel, they stumble upon him but he uses his super speed to dodge their bullets, take their guns apart and then burst out of the sewer, and asks everyone to hold their fire so they don't harm innocents but they continue to bombard him with Rocket Launchers and bullets. Back in the Daily Planet, General Lane explains that Superman is an alien and they know his weakness, then plans to shut down the Daily Planet. Jimmy and Lois hatch a plan so she can get out of the office and to Superman. Back with Superman, he's trying to subdue the men and women of the military when he's attacked from behind by Sergeant Corben wearing a new suit. Lois warns Big Blue to leave the planet so they don't kill him with the meteorite, he doesn't back down and rushes towards Corben to fight him, punching off his helmet, revealing what's basically a corpse in a big metal suit, and starts calling himself Metallo. Eh, I like the other version better. I won't ruin the rest of the fight, but afterwards a very well-written (by Geoff not Supes) speech by The Man of Steel shows us why he is the embodiment of hope... and not Saint Barry Allen. :P Other great moments were the big Superman/Lex Luthor confrontation that was expected, and the Superman/Lois Lane confrontation the dialogue was very strong and seemed true to the characters. Overall I think this was a really good ending to the mini-series, there's not much you can deviate from with the history of Superman but Geoff did a fine job, I'd give this issue a 9/10.
Lex Luthor: You don't belong here! You never will! Why don't you go back to your own world?
Green Arrow #3
This cover is so gruesome that it looks awesome. It's definitely one of my favorite covers this year, maybe ever. How fitting is it that Green Arrow gets "Prometheus'd." We start this issue off with Green Arrow lying there with an arrow in his skull, waiting to die, as he compares it to his days on the island, waiting to die until he found a reason to live. We even see a few panels that reminded me of the fantastic Green Arrow: Year One comics. He lies there, surprisingly not dead, while three big dogs run toward him, until he's saved by the big guy that X-Man called Thor over on his blog not too long ago. The man picks Ollie up and takes him to a part of the forest and holds him underwater in a lake, where it asks "Do you deserve to live?" In Ollie's thoughts, he mentions that he's abandoned his son, murdered, alienated everyone he loves and couldn't keep anyone safe, including Star City. We see flashbacks that show us Ollie as a kid, and his parents, who had problems of their own, as Mr. Queen was unfaithful and was suggested to have done things with his secretary. After this, we see Ollie rise out of the water, and the flying water makes the White Lantern symbol. Oliver, being the jerk he is, blames the man who saved his life for trying to kill him, but the Mystery Man deflects all of Ollie's attacks until he can convince him he didn't try to murder the Emerald Archer. We then jump to Mary, the chick Ollie saved in the forest in issue one, trying to help sick people, but not having the resources due to Queen Industries snatching up all the health contracts. Back with Green Arrow we see he was saved by someone who believes he's Knight Galahad, of King Arthur's Round table. After discussing why he's there, Oliver interrupts by saying he doesn't know what's more confusing, why the forest saved him, or who tried to kill him. With another flashback we see the life of a young woman who encountered Robert Queen back in the past, he was drawn to her and even called her "Pretty Bird." We come to find out that this is the woman that is currently the new owner of Queen Industries. Back with Oliver and Galahad, they discuss like in the forest before a blinding white light shines, and Oliver, looking for answers, runs into the light. While there he sees the forest go through all four seasons, in a matter of seconds while Star City remains unchanged, before the issue abruptly ends. I mean like, next page ends. I liked this comic but the ending was so random and abrupt that it threw me off guard. But the majority of this issue was damn good and interesting, I'll give this issue a 9/10 rating as well.
So that's all for this week's Ratings and Rantings everyone, as always thanks for reading and feel free to comment. Also, this weekend since I couldn't last week, we're going to have another Top 5 Five! Oh yeah, I can hear that excitement rumbling in the pit of your stomach, or it may just be gas. Either way, the categories are below, so make sure you send me your top five for each of the five topics at KevinKavalier@Gmail.com by Sunday Noon EST. Time and I'll make sure your picks are counted.
Top 5 Marvel/DC Team-Ups You'd like to see
Top 5 Marvel vs. DC Fights You'd like to see (for the first time or a rematch)
Top 5 Comic Characters who you wish had a TV Show, Cartoon or Movie
Top 5 Most Overrated Characters
Top 5 Five Characters you'd like to put on a team together
The sooner the better people so send those picks in! I'll make sure I post the results this weekend, until then, I'm your Neighborhood Blogger-man and Saint Barry Allen worshiper, JT!
Next Time on Ratings and Rantings
Brightest Day #9, Red Hood: Lost Days #4, Dark Wolverine #90 and Shadowland #3...That's it?! I guess so....
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Top Five 5 Reminder
Hey guys, just reminding everyone that I'll be posting the Top Five 5 tomorrow, the deadline for picks is tonight and I haven't gotten many so If anyone wants to be included be sure to send your picks to KevinKavalier@gmail.com. Remember to send me your top five choices for each category, the categories are:
Top Five Characters you want back from the Dead
Top Five Characters with untapped potential (Ex: Ravager)
Top Five One-Shots
Top Five Worst Comic Series
Top Five Male/Female Team-Ups
Here's hoping I get a few more picks from you guys, and I'll be back tomorrow with the main post.
Top Five Characters you want back from the Dead
Top Five Characters with untapped potential (Ex: Ravager)
Top Five One-Shots
Top Five Worst Comic Series
Top Five Male/Female Team-Ups
Here's hoping I get a few more picks from you guys, and I'll be back tomorrow with the main post.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Quick Change of Plans
Hey everyone, Jason Todd here as always, gladly welcoming you to my Red Hood. So today I was supposed to be reviewing an animated film, but surprisingly we had a draw. Now I could easily flip a coin or something but I've decided to put the poll back up, just with two choices, that way the people who voted for Wonder Woman and Hulk Vs. Thor/Wolverine can vote again as well as the people who voted for Mystery of Batwoman and Ultimate Avengers. That poll will be right under this paragraph.
Also, the new weekly poll is on the right side of the blog as always, we sure to check that out and vote there too. And lastly for those who are curious the result of the last weekly poll, which asked the question, "What was the worst series of 2009?"
Last Place with 9.1% - Something not listed. Whoever picked this, feel free to comment and let me know what you thought it was.
Second Place with 18.2% - Tie between Red Robin & Teen Titans. Red Robin is better now at least..
Winner (or loser?) with 27.3% - Tie between Green Arrow & Black Canary and Batman and Robin. Interesting to say the least considering one of those series has now ended.
Well everyone, thanks for voting and please continue to. As always it's been a pleasure, I return for more Ratings and Rantings later this week, until next time I'm your friendly neighborhood blogger man, Jason Todd.
Also, the new weekly poll is on the right side of the blog as always, we sure to check that out and vote there too. And lastly for those who are curious the result of the last weekly poll, which asked the question, "What was the worst series of 2009?"
Last Place with 9.1% - Something not listed. Whoever picked this, feel free to comment and let me know what you thought it was.
Second Place with 18.2% - Tie between Red Robin & Teen Titans. Red Robin is better now at least..
Winner (or loser?) with 27.3% - Tie between Green Arrow & Black Canary and Batman and Robin. Interesting to say the least considering one of those series has now ended.
Well everyone, thanks for voting and please continue to. As always it's been a pleasure, I return for more Ratings and Rantings later this week, until next time I'm your friendly neighborhood blogger man, Jason Todd.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Top Five 5's
Hey everyone to the Top Five 5's! If this is well received I may make it a monthly thing since there are a lot of categories to work with. So, the way we're gonna do this is I'm going to list each category along with each person's picks. Sounds simple enough right? So let's get into it. And just to make this simple I'm assigning everyone who sends in their picks a color. So this is the color guideline:
X-Man75 (and his are in order!)
Bruce Wayne/Batman
Dick Grayson/Nightwing
Aquaman
Martian Manhunter
Thugboy (of Empowered)
Superman
Aquaman
Spider-Man
Lex Luthor
Batman (Bruce Wayne)
Supergirl (Kara Zor-El)
She-Hulk (Jen Walters)
Lois Lane
Mera
Wonder Woman
Gail Simone
Geoff Johns
Brad Meltzer
Paul Dini
Chuck Dixon
Geoff Johns
Grant Morrison
Mark Millar
Peter David
Alan Moore
Generation Lost
Zatanna
Batgirl
Gotham City Sirens
Birds of Prey
Amazing Spider-Man
Batman and Robin
Green Lantern
Invincible Iron Man
Supergirl
Fantastic Four
Flash
Batgirl
Birds of Prey
Red Robin
Aquaman
Martian Manhunter
Vixen
Two Face
Creeper
Matter Eater Lad
Maxima
Madam Fatal
The Ray
Jimmy Olsen
Jason Todd
Falisha Ann
Paul C.
NagashX-Man75 (and his are in order!)
Kello
Top Five Male Characters
Batman (Bruce Wayne)
Jason Todd
Booster Gold
Bart Allen
The Joker
Bruce Wayne/Batman
Dick Grayson/Nightwing
Aquaman
Martian Manhunter
Thugboy (of Empowered)
Superman
Aquaman
Spider-Man
Lex Luthor
Batman (Bruce Wayne)
Batman (it's the cowl, not the man behind it)
Arthur Curry (I refuse to call him Orin)
J'onn J'onzz
Oliver Queen
Victor Von DOOM
Flash (Barry Allen….by default)
Captain America
Tim Drake
Mighty Thor
Reed Richards
Vril Dox
Steve Rogers
Captain America(Bucky Barnes)
Kid Flash
Hawkeye
Flash (Barry Allen….by default)
Captain America
Tim Drake
Mighty Thor
Reed Richards
Top Five Female Characters
Black Canary
Power Girl
Harley Quinn
Ravager
Batgirl (Steph Brown)Wonder Woman
Black Canary
Oracle
Harley Quinn
Batgirl
Black Canary
Oracle
Harley Quinn
Batgirl
Supergirl (Kara Zor-El)
She-Hulk (Jen Walters)
Lois Lane
Mera
Wonder Woman
Kate Kane
M'gann Morse
Megan Gwynn
Molly Hayes/Nico Minoru
Stephanie Brown
Huntress
Black Widow
Black Canary
Wonder Woman
Batgirl
Barbara Gordon
Supergirl
Red Sonja
Susan Storm
Stephanie Brown
Barbara Gordon
Supergirl
Red Sonja
Susan Storm
Stephanie Brown
Top Five Writers
Gail Simone
Geoff Johns
Paul Dini
Judd Winick
Brian Q. MillerGail Simone
Geoff Johns
Brad Meltzer
Paul Dini
Chuck Dixon
Geoff Johns
Grant Morrison
Mark Millar
Peter David
Alan Moore
Brian K Vaughan
Bryan Q Millar
Greg Rucka
Kevin Smith
Mark Millar
Geoff Johns
Jonathan Hickman
Sterling Gates
Ed Brubaker
Matt Fraction
Ed Brubaker!!!
Daniel Way
Gail Simone
Paul Dini
Tony Bedard
Jonathan Hickman
Sterling Gates
Ed Brubaker
Matt Fraction
Top Five Ongoing Comics
Batgirl
Birds of Prey
Booster Gold
Wolverine Origins
Green LanternGeneration Lost
Zatanna
Batgirl
Gotham City Sirens
Birds of Prey
Amazing Spider-Man
Batman and Robin
Green Lantern
Invincible Iron Man
Supergirl
Batgirl
Can't choose anything else as they've only had two issues each max, and anything else is ending real soon, so doesn't count as ongoing, or has been cancelled.
Captain America
REBELS
Dark Wolverine
Birds of Prey
Hawkeye & Mockingbird
Flash
Batgirl
Birds of Prey
Red Robin
Top Five Most Underused Characters
Jason Todd
Wally West
Geo-Force
Lobo
Ravager
Lobo
Ravager
Aquaman
Martian Manhunter
Vixen
Two Face
Creeper
Matter Eater Lad
Maxima
Madam Fatal
The Ray
Jimmy Olsen
Cassandra Cain
J'onn J'onzz
Kate Kane
Lorena Marquez
Rose Wilson
Nate Grey
Wally West
Ra's Al Ghul
Meltdown
Wolverine :P (Lol What a Jerk!)
WALLY WEST!
Spectre
Captain Marvel / the entire SHAZAM family
Plastic Man
G’Nort (everything else in the GL got retconned into something cool, why couldn’t he?)
WALLY WEST!
Spectre
Captain Marvel / the entire SHAZAM family
Plastic Man
G’Nort (everything else in the GL got retconned into something cool, why couldn’t he?)
Category Winners
Top Male Character: Batman
Top Female Character: Batgirl (Stephanie Brown)
Top Writer: Geoff Johns
Top Ongoing Comic: Batgirl & Birds of Prey
Top Underused: Wally West
Very interesting picks everyone. I'm surprised after one year as Batgirl, Stephanie made mostly everyone's list. That really says something about how well Bryan Q. Miller is writing her. Birds of Prey taking the Top Ongoing Comic shows that after only two issues Gail has struck gold once again, and that shows her talented writing along with the beautiful art of Ed Benes. Batman winning Top character isn't surprising but I think we're all ready to see how Bruce is inserted into storylines upon his return. Geoff beats Gail Simone by one vote for best writer and he has had a few big years, I'm interested in seeing how everyone feels about him next year. And lastly Wally West, the Flash for over 20 years is now the most underused person, and also the ONLY former Titan to not be in any other comic, interesting. Well here's hoping DC realizes that there's a bunch of Lanterns, we can have one more Flash. We want Wally West!
Thanks everyone for the emails and replying, I think this turned out really well, I'm interested in seeing what you all think. Remember I'll be back tomorrow with an Animated Movie Review, if you haven't voted you can still vote on the post below. Until then, this is your friendly neighborhood Blogger Man, Jason Todd.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Ratings and Rantings
It's that time again, the weekly review of comics by yours truly, so allow me to welcome you back to my Red Hood with another edition of Ratings and Rantings! Before we jump into the groove of things I want to make a few announcements.
The first announcement is this weekend I'll debut a new article called "The Top Five", and that will include five categories along with the top five choices for that category. So, I figure it may be boring if it's just my top five, so if anyone wants to participate in listing your top five, I'm going to name the categories at the bottom of the article. Then I'll have you guys send me your top five for each category, and we'll see how everything adds up. It's just something I figured would be fun to see how everyone thinks. The deadline for that will be Saturday at Noon Eastern time, so make sure if you want to take part, to send me what you think before Saturday afternoon since it'll be up that day.
The second announcement, This Sunday you guys can look forward to an Animated Movie Review. Which one? I haven't decided yet, but you guys will, because I'll allow you to vote for it, in this column at the bottom. So yeah, I'm turning up the heat on the blog, just trying to make it more enjoyable for everyone. Man this is a LONG opener, so let's get to some comics!
Action Comics is now about the former President of the United States and our favorite alien hating bald man, Alexander "Lex" Luthor. Funny thing is it's not under the Brightest Day banner but the Blackest Night Aftermath banner. We start off seeing Lex hanging off of a building... well hanging by a building, yet he isn't worried at all about being dropped by the person who's holding him there, he just wants to know what their goal is. He then thinks about how this all started. Lex of course is being Lex and fired a dude then says spread rumors so he never works in this field again, and he does this right in front of the man. I'd say Lex had some hair on his boys if I didn't know he had alopecia. (That's loss of hair from the body FYI.) The guy attacks Lex and lets just say that doesn't work in his favor. Later Lex has dinner with a woman he calls Lois... It's damn sure not Lois Lane and if it is it'd gotta be a robot or something because come on dude. Lois would NEVER leave Clark for Lex. I'm going with a clone or a robot. So it turns out Lex wants a power ring, not just one but one of each if possible. It's funny seeing Lex's thoughts and he pictures everyone bowing to him from Supes, Batman, and Wonder Woman to Darkseid, The Joker and even Brainiac. The end was underwhelming only because of the reveal but other than that it was a very solid issue, I love Lex's character so I'm loving him taking over this comic, it should be interesting. This issue gets a 7.5/10.
Lex Luthor: I've made up my mind about the former employee who assaulted me. Would you kill him now, please?
Isit just me or is this series going by REALLY slow? Especially when Gen Lost is bi-weekly this seems like it's taking forever. We jump in with Boomer getting checked out by the doctors after the guards beat the hell out of him in the previous issue. They beat him up some more after he fights back, then he magically forms a Boomerang, I'm guessing due to his "MYSTICAL RETURN FROM THE DEAD!!!!!" Or some crap. Anyway Barry lucks off because they believe he contaminated the scene like an amateur, because sure, he's THAT stupid. Later, he meets with Iris and then he's attacked again by the Renegades. who show that their pretty awesome. They also allude to Iris West possibly committing some crime in the near future, around Flashpoint maybe? Dun dun dunnnn! Anyway this issue ends with a bit of a surprise, I'm just happy it didn't end the exact same way it did with one and two, with someone telling Barry Allen he was guilty for killing someone. It was an okay issue but nothing special, I'll give it a 5/10.
Captain Boomerang: Well now gents, looks like I got me some Get out of Jail free cards!
So the return of Terry McGinnis at last. After seeing him pop up in Superman/Batman Annual #4 as well as Batman #700 I gotta say I have pretty high expectations for this mini-series. This issue starts with Amanda Waller walking around Cadmus labs which was recently broken out of by someone, we aren't told who yet though. Those who watched Batman Beyond of the Justice League Unlimited cartoons will recall Terry and Waller have an amicable relationship after she announced to him that Bruce is genetically his biological father. Anywho we finally see Terry, with Bruce in ear of course, fighting crime, including the Spellbinder. Turns out Terry's been fighting crime in Gotham for 12 hours straight but can't catch a break. Our newer Batman is once again offered a spot in the JLA (referring to Batman Beyond Season 3) but turns it down, he's told the door is always open as he takes off in his Bat-Plane. The escaped man goes on to kill former Batman Villain, Signalman, and he's killed by being stabbed in the heart Twice, and the Throat Twice with Two different knives. Got any ideas yet? Well... I won't ruin it for you but I loved the ending. It was one of those things that's in your face and you don't even realize it. I thought this was a fantastic opening issue and although not perfect it was very close. I'll give it a 9/10.
The first announcement is this weekend I'll debut a new article called "The Top Five", and that will include five categories along with the top five choices for that category. So, I figure it may be boring if it's just my top five, so if anyone wants to participate in listing your top five, I'm going to name the categories at the bottom of the article. Then I'll have you guys send me your top five for each category, and we'll see how everything adds up. It's just something I figured would be fun to see how everyone thinks. The deadline for that will be Saturday at Noon Eastern time, so make sure if you want to take part, to send me what you think before Saturday afternoon since it'll be up that day.
The second announcement, This Sunday you guys can look forward to an Animated Movie Review. Which one? I haven't decided yet, but you guys will, because I'll allow you to vote for it, in this column at the bottom. So yeah, I'm turning up the heat on the blog, just trying to make it more enjoyable for everyone. Man this is a LONG opener, so let's get to some comics!
Action Comics #890
Action Comics is now about the former President of the United States and our favorite alien hating bald man, Alexander "Lex" Luthor. Funny thing is it's not under the Brightest Day banner but the Blackest Night Aftermath banner. We start off seeing Lex hanging off of a building... well hanging by a building, yet he isn't worried at all about being dropped by the person who's holding him there, he just wants to know what their goal is. He then thinks about how this all started. Lex of course is being Lex and fired a dude then says spread rumors so he never works in this field again, and he does this right in front of the man. I'd say Lex had some hair on his boys if I didn't know he had alopecia. (That's loss of hair from the body FYI.) The guy attacks Lex and lets just say that doesn't work in his favor. Later Lex has dinner with a woman he calls Lois... It's damn sure not Lois Lane and if it is it'd gotta be a robot or something because come on dude. Lois would NEVER leave Clark for Lex. I'm going with a clone or a robot. So it turns out Lex wants a power ring, not just one but one of each if possible. It's funny seeing Lex's thoughts and he pictures everyone bowing to him from Supes, Batman, and Wonder Woman to Darkseid, The Joker and even Brainiac. The end was underwhelming only because of the reveal but other than that it was a very solid issue, I love Lex's character so I'm loving him taking over this comic, it should be interesting. This issue gets a 7.5/10.
Lex Luthor: I've made up my mind about the former employee who assaulted me. Would you kill him now, please?
The Flash #3
Isit just me or is this series going by REALLY slow? Especially when Gen Lost is bi-weekly this seems like it's taking forever. We jump in with Boomer getting checked out by the doctors after the guards beat the hell out of him in the previous issue. They beat him up some more after he fights back, then he magically forms a Boomerang, I'm guessing due to his "MYSTICAL RETURN FROM THE DEAD!!!!!" Or some crap. Anyway Barry lucks off because they believe he contaminated the scene like an amateur, because sure, he's THAT stupid. Later, he meets with Iris and then he's attacked again by the Renegades. who show that their pretty awesome. They also allude to Iris West possibly committing some crime in the near future, around Flashpoint maybe? Dun dun dunnnn! Anyway this issue ends with a bit of a surprise, I'm just happy it didn't end the exact same way it did with one and two, with someone telling Barry Allen he was guilty for killing someone. It was an okay issue but nothing special, I'll give it a 5/10.
Captain Boomerang: Well now gents, looks like I got me some Get out of Jail free cards!
Batman Beyond #1 of 6
So the return of Terry McGinnis at last. After seeing him pop up in Superman/Batman Annual #4 as well as Batman #700 I gotta say I have pretty high expectations for this mini-series. This issue starts with Amanda Waller walking around Cadmus labs which was recently broken out of by someone, we aren't told who yet though. Those who watched Batman Beyond of the Justice League Unlimited cartoons will recall Terry and Waller have an amicable relationship after she announced to him that Bruce is genetically his biological father. Anywho we finally see Terry, with Bruce in ear of course, fighting crime, including the Spellbinder. Turns out Terry's been fighting crime in Gotham for 12 hours straight but can't catch a break. Our newer Batman is once again offered a spot in the JLA (referring to Batman Beyond Season 3) but turns it down, he's told the door is always open as he takes off in his Bat-Plane. The escaped man goes on to kill former Batman Villain, Signalman, and he's killed by being stabbed in the heart Twice, and the Throat Twice with Two different knives. Got any ideas yet? Well... I won't ruin it for you but I loved the ending. It was one of those things that's in your face and you don't even realize it. I thought this was a fantastic opening issue and although not perfect it was very close. I'll give it a 9/10.
Terry: Ace, Tell me he's not upstairs watching that Zorro DiGi again...
Bruce: I only watch that move once a year. Once.Gotham City Sirens #13
This is the last issue of the second Joker's Asylum run. This time we get to see a story about Basil Karlo a.k.a. Clayface, called Mudnight Madness. Pretty nice title compared to some of the others. He attacks a kid at the movie theater who insults his work, because the kid was unaware that he was Karlo. Afterwards we see a flashback to before Clayface became the mud monster he is today. He has an argument with his co-star who tells him no one remembers the guy who plays the monster, they just remember the star. Basil tells him that he disagrees and he'll prove it. Back in the present timeline Clayface is pissed off about his movie being used in a "shlockfest" so he rampages the movie theater until he comes upon someone dressed like his character. Clayface's description of how he was going to kill this guy was excellent. It was so chilling and descriptive that it really makes you think about how a guy like Clayface is the last person you wanna run into. The smoke shot of Batman was amazing, and his return to the theater after it's closed down was pretty cleverly written. This is the first Joker's Asylum of his run to heavily feature Batman instead of just having him in one or two pages and it really works here. The Joker's dialogue on the last page really comes off like The Clown Prince of Crime should be written. As you can see from all the text I thoroughly enjoyed this issue, while not as good as the Killer Croc or Penguin issues its still very well done and definitely made me want to see more Clayface in the future. I'll give this an 8.5/10.
Newspaper Headline: "Clayface Kills at The Box Office!" (Much like the Joker, I also love a good pun.)
I'm really starting to dread this comic now. There's no cohesiveness to the team, there's far too many members (TEN?!) and the storyline is so rehashed. They've been searching for Raven since Dick Grayson was a Teen Titan, now he's Batman. How do you justify her being SO powerful yet always getting kidnapped? And Beast Boy's boring as hell, with or without Raven now. I'd say the team needs to be Superboy, Wonder Girl, Kid Flash, Static, Ravager, Aquagirl and Miss Martian. There's a perfectly well-rounded team. Anyway, due to all of those reasons, I've decided to drop this comic. Maybe I'll pick it up after this Raven arc ends to see where it goes from there but right now I'd rather just avoid it all than sit here and review a comic that I know I'll most likely dislike. So until they find Raven for the hundredth time, consider be dropping this comic.
That's it for the reviews this week, hope you enjoyed it. As always comments and such are appreciated. So now, like I mentioned up top if anyone want's their selections to be included in this weekend's post, just send me your picks via email. I say email so we can keep it secret and have people surprised about the picks this weekend, but if you're lazy then you can post it in the comments. :P Alright then, remember to pick your top five (doesn't have to be in order) for each category and email me at kevinkavalier@gmail.com. The five Categories are:
5 Favorite Male Comic Characters
5 Favorite Female Comic Characters
5 Favorite Comic Writers
5 Favorite Ongoing Comic Series
5 Most Underused Characters
So, I'm awaiting these answers because I'd LOVE to see what everyone chooses and how many matches we have. So be sure to send those in before Noon Eastern Time on Saturday. Now, for the voting to see which Animated Film I'll review on Sunday. The voting stops Sunday morning so get your votes in asap, also since this poll is up, I'll throw the new weekly poll along with the results from this week's on Sunday as well. So happy voting, until next time, I'm your Friendly Neighborhood Blogger Man, Jason Todd.
Batman & Robin #13 just to see how they explain this Joker thing, Brightest Day #5, Red Hood: Lost Days #2, and Red Robin #14.
Maggie Kyle gives a whole new meaning to the term "The Flying Nun" on this issue of Gotham City Sirens! That's be the solicitation if I were working for DC. Anyway, Selina tries to talk her crazy ass sister out of a fight but it doesn't work, so Selina and Harley both attack but are thwarted by the crazy nun chick that has the power of a demon or something. Yeah, it's not the easiest storyline to follow. The page that had Batman's Rogue gallery was very awesome to look at and was very well done. Harley's written very well, a few of her lines were hilarious but for a lot of this issue I just couldn't get into it. I mean as fast as that Nun chick was moving she could've cut Selina's throat twenty times. And the ending really... annoyed me. So I don't know where the Sirens go from here, but I'm not sure I'll be sticking around much longer to see if it doesn't improve. 4/10 rating for this issue.
Harley Quinn: Hey Sister Psycho! Here's something I owe ya!
Green Lantern #55
The return of Lobo. Oh hell's yeah Bastiches! I'm a fan of Lobo, and he's usually fun when he's around, minus that crap in 52 with him. And if the cover is right and he's fighting Atrocitus then this should be awesome. And... it has begun! Turns out an anonymous person has put out a bounty on Atrocitus and had "The Main Man" Lobo go after him. The two big men duke it out and the White Lantern tells Hal to help Atrocitus so he does. Hal makes the mistake of riding Lobo's "Fraggin" bike and hits Lobo with it. Lobo then gets beat up by Sinestro, so that's Sinestro, Hal, Carol and Atrocitus, man Lobo has some guts. Lobo breaks out of Carol's Hallucination Crystal, he then tells her what he really loves, which leads to her constructing a HUGE hand and slapping him. Eventually the four Corps members band together and Lobo takes off. We later find off why, and boy is it a good reason. All I'm gonna say is I can't wait to see what happens with The Main Man. Say what ya want about Geoff but this continues to be a solid series. The mini with Dex-Starr made this comic even better, I love his motivation for being with the Red Lantern Corps. I'll give this issue of Green Lantern a well deserved 10/10.
Sinestro: You sealed Lobo in your Hallucination Inducing Chrystal?
Carol: I thought it may sedate him. You've been encased in the Sapphire crystal before. It shows you your greatest love, which in your case I'd guess was a mirror.
Sinestro: Yes. A Mirror. How Humorous.The Joker's Asylum: Clayface
This is the last issue of the second Joker's Asylum run. This time we get to see a story about Basil Karlo a.k.a. Clayface, called Mudnight Madness. Pretty nice title compared to some of the others. He attacks a kid at the movie theater who insults his work, because the kid was unaware that he was Karlo. Afterwards we see a flashback to before Clayface became the mud monster he is today. He has an argument with his co-star who tells him no one remembers the guy who plays the monster, they just remember the star. Basil tells him that he disagrees and he'll prove it. Back in the present timeline Clayface is pissed off about his movie being used in a "shlockfest" so he rampages the movie theater until he comes upon someone dressed like his character. Clayface's description of how he was going to kill this guy was excellent. It was so chilling and descriptive that it really makes you think about how a guy like Clayface is the last person you wanna run into. The smoke shot of Batman was amazing, and his return to the theater after it's closed down was pretty cleverly written. This is the first Joker's Asylum of his run to heavily feature Batman instead of just having him in one or two pages and it really works here. The Joker's dialogue on the last page really comes off like The Clown Prince of Crime should be written. As you can see from all the text I thoroughly enjoyed this issue, while not as good as the Killer Croc or Penguin issues its still very well done and definitely made me want to see more Clayface in the future. I'll give this an 8.5/10.
Newspaper Headline: "Clayface Kills at The Box Office!" (Much like the Joker, I also love a good pun.)
Teen Titans Rant
I'm really starting to dread this comic now. There's no cohesiveness to the team, there's far too many members (TEN?!) and the storyline is so rehashed. They've been searching for Raven since Dick Grayson was a Teen Titan, now he's Batman. How do you justify her being SO powerful yet always getting kidnapped? And Beast Boy's boring as hell, with or without Raven now. I'd say the team needs to be Superboy, Wonder Girl, Kid Flash, Static, Ravager, Aquagirl and Miss Martian. There's a perfectly well-rounded team. Anyway, due to all of those reasons, I've decided to drop this comic. Maybe I'll pick it up after this Raven arc ends to see where it goes from there but right now I'd rather just avoid it all than sit here and review a comic that I know I'll most likely dislike. So until they find Raven for the hundredth time, consider be dropping this comic.
That's it for the reviews this week, hope you enjoyed it. As always comments and such are appreciated. So now, like I mentioned up top if anyone want's their selections to be included in this weekend's post, just send me your picks via email. I say email so we can keep it secret and have people surprised about the picks this weekend, but if you're lazy then you can post it in the comments. :P Alright then, remember to pick your top five (doesn't have to be in order) for each category and email me at kevinkavalier@gmail.com. The five Categories are:
5 Favorite Male Comic Characters
5 Favorite Female Comic Characters
5 Favorite Comic Writers
5 Favorite Ongoing Comic Series
5 Most Underused Characters
So, I'm awaiting these answers because I'd LOVE to see what everyone chooses and how many matches we have. So be sure to send those in before Noon Eastern Time on Saturday. Now, for the voting to see which Animated Film I'll review on Sunday. The voting stops Sunday morning so get your votes in asap, also since this poll is up, I'll throw the new weekly poll along with the results from this week's on Sunday as well. So happy voting, until next time, I'm your Friendly Neighborhood Blogger Man, Jason Todd.
Next Time on Ratings and Rantings
Batman & Robin #13 just to see how they explain this Joker thing, Brightest Day #5, Red Hood: Lost Days #2, and Red Robin #14.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
The Search for Bruce Wayne
Hey everyone, just dropping by with a few updates. Firstly I'll have my newest review this Saturday, that way I can put up a new poll as well, and this one is gonna be pretty interesting. As of this posting Deadman leads the way in our Brightest Day Poll but with two more days to vote anything can happen.
Also, I wanna say to anyone and everyone, that 2011 looks to be interesting with the solicits in the back of Flash #01 pointing to an upcoming storyline called Flashpoint. I may not be the biggest Barry Allen fan, (Bart > Wally > Barry > Jay in my book, no offense to Jay.) but I'm hyped about this, even though it's a year from now. With Batman, Supes and WW getting long arc's and recently Green Lantern, it's about time Flash got one and it looks to include the Trinity in a big way. You can't tell alot about one page but I'll be on the look out for Flashpoint.
Lastly the big announcement over at the DCU Blogs today was there will be a comic called Time Masters: Vanishing Point. This will feature Rip Hunter gathering a team consisting of three of my favorites, Superman, Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) and Booster Gold to travel through time and look for Bruce Wayne. The idea of this is genius. Why wouldn't they go looking for Bruce now that they know he's lost in time? Plus Booster standing side by side with the man who ended the Blackest Night and The Man of Steel does nothing but help him look better which is great. I'm extremely happy to hear about Rip's Trio searching for Bruce Wayne, and this apparently will go hand in hand with The Return of Bruce Wayne. Time Masters will also be a six issue mini-series. Also it will apparently have clues to the next big DCU event in it. So look for that in July, as I certainly will. And of course I gotta show you guys the awesome cover.
Tell me that's not awesome. Birds of Prey, Time Masters, Jason Todd's mini series, The Return of Bruce Wayne, End of Blackest Night, Brightest Day. Man the DC Universe is heating up in 2010. What else is coming? I'll be waiting on more announcements and I'll definitely update you guys, especially If I'm as giddy like I am now, haha.
- Jason Todd
Also, I wanna say to anyone and everyone, that 2011 looks to be interesting with the solicits in the back of Flash #01 pointing to an upcoming storyline called Flashpoint. I may not be the biggest Barry Allen fan, (Bart > Wally > Barry > Jay in my book, no offense to Jay.) but I'm hyped about this, even though it's a year from now. With Batman, Supes and WW getting long arc's and recently Green Lantern, it's about time Flash got one and it looks to include the Trinity in a big way. You can't tell alot about one page but I'll be on the look out for Flashpoint.
Lastly the big announcement over at the DCU Blogs today was there will be a comic called Time Masters: Vanishing Point. This will feature Rip Hunter gathering a team consisting of three of my favorites, Superman, Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) and Booster Gold to travel through time and look for Bruce Wayne. The idea of this is genius. Why wouldn't they go looking for Bruce now that they know he's lost in time? Plus Booster standing side by side with the man who ended the Blackest Night and The Man of Steel does nothing but help him look better which is great. I'm extremely happy to hear about Rip's Trio searching for Bruce Wayne, and this apparently will go hand in hand with The Return of Bruce Wayne. Time Masters will also be a six issue mini-series. Also it will apparently have clues to the next big DCU event in it. So look for that in July, as I certainly will. And of course I gotta show you guys the awesome cover.
- Jason Todd
Thursday, March 18, 2010
A Change of Plans
Hey everyone. Jason here, after dropping the news yesterday that my namesake was getting a six issue story written by Judd Winick (who's also taking over the Power Girl series at issue 13) I figured I'd be back with my weekly review a few right? Wrong because I only bought four comics, well five new releases yesterday. Batman 697, Green Lantern Corps 47, Booster Gold 30, Green Arrow 31 and Titans 23. I was gonna blog about them but Batman sucked SO bad I'd rather not discuss it. I did like Titans and GLC but I never got around to reading Green Arrow and Booster yet. So instead I'll review those this weekend, probably Sunday or so, and Saturday in honor of the upcoming TPB I'll review Deadpool: Suicide Kings. So be sure to be on the look out for those.Also that poll over there ------>
Ends on Saturday so expect a new one on Sunday, although I don't know about what yet but I'll come up with something. But that's all from me for today, just wanted to keep you guys updated. Thanks for reading.
- Jason Todd
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
This Made My Day....
via. http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/
The Red Hood’s very presence haunts the Dark Knight’s every waking hour.
But how did the Red Hood come to be? What trials did he go through before donning the gleaming red helmet, during those formative years before he crossed paths with Batman?
Writer Judd Winick and artist Pablo Raimondi hope to answer that question in June, with the debut of RED HOOD: THE LOST DAYS, a six-issue mini-series revealing the untold story of the man behind the Red Hood. It’s the tale of an angry young man’s transformation into a deadly villain.
What else is there to say? We went straight to, well, the source on this one - writer Judd Winick. Take it away, Judd:
“I’m thrilled to return to this character, and it’s both a joy and challenge to tackle this new story. LOST DAYS tracks the time from the Red Hood’s rebirth to his return to Gotham. In it, we get to understand this anti-hero in a new way. I think it explains both how he’s sympathetic, and an unrepentant monster. He’s a wonderfully complex character, and I hope this adds some even greater depth to his mythology.”
The series will ship its first two issues in anticipation of the arrival of BATMAN: UNDER THE RED HOOD DVD arriving in stores. The DVD, the next entry in the popular ongoing series of DC UNIVERSE Animated Original PG-13 Movies, hits this summer from Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation and showcases Batman confronting new enemies, old foes and painful memories as a powerful vigilante with a penchant for violence comes to Gotham to stake his claim on the city.
And hey, Judd’s got a few things to say about the DVD, too:
“I can barely describe the fun and terror that went into adapting two years worth of story into one film, but the results will be something that will knock everyone on their cans. I couldn’t be prouder, and I’m itching for everyone to get a look.”
I could not be happier by this news. Everyone knows I'm a huge Jason Todd fan. and Winick. writer of Under The Hood is an excellent writer for this. I won't get my hopes up because I'm used to how DC treats the second Robin, but hopefully this leads to other things. Also I found out that the Batman Beyond comic series will also return, and I was a fan of the show so that's also great. More Jason Todd, Birds of Prey and Batman Beyond? Yes please, lol.
Oh and btw, I added a weekly poll that I'll change um... weekly. So, feel free to vote on that, it's not an ad or anything that'll take you away from the site or open another window. Feel free to mention who you voted for and why, I'd love to hear your reasoning. Or if you have a poll question feel free to submit it as well.
J. Todd
The Red Hood’s very presence haunts the Dark Knight’s every waking hour.
But how did the Red Hood come to be? What trials did he go through before donning the gleaming red helmet, during those formative years before he crossed paths with Batman?
Writer Judd Winick and artist Pablo Raimondi hope to answer that question in June, with the debut of RED HOOD: THE LOST DAYS, a six-issue mini-series revealing the untold story of the man behind the Red Hood. It’s the tale of an angry young man’s transformation into a deadly villain.
What else is there to say? We went straight to, well, the source on this one - writer Judd Winick. Take it away, Judd:
“I’m thrilled to return to this character, and it’s both a joy and challenge to tackle this new story. LOST DAYS tracks the time from the Red Hood’s rebirth to his return to Gotham. In it, we get to understand this anti-hero in a new way. I think it explains both how he’s sympathetic, and an unrepentant monster. He’s a wonderfully complex character, and I hope this adds some even greater depth to his mythology.”
The series will ship its first two issues in anticipation of the arrival of BATMAN: UNDER THE RED HOOD DVD arriving in stores. The DVD, the next entry in the popular ongoing series of DC UNIVERSE Animated Original PG-13 Movies, hits this summer from Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation and showcases Batman confronting new enemies, old foes and painful memories as a powerful vigilante with a penchant for violence comes to Gotham to stake his claim on the city.
And hey, Judd’s got a few things to say about the DVD, too:
“I can barely describe the fun and terror that went into adapting two years worth of story into one film, but the results will be something that will knock everyone on their cans. I couldn’t be prouder, and I’m itching for everyone to get a look.”
Jason's Take
I could not be happier by this news. Everyone knows I'm a huge Jason Todd fan. and Winick. writer of Under The Hood is an excellent writer for this. I won't get my hopes up because I'm used to how DC treats the second Robin, but hopefully this leads to other things. Also I found out that the Batman Beyond comic series will also return, and I was a fan of the show so that's also great. More Jason Todd, Birds of Prey and Batman Beyond? Yes please, lol.
Oh and btw, I added a weekly poll that I'll change um... weekly. So, feel free to vote on that, it's not an ad or anything that'll take you away from the site or open another window. Feel free to mention who you voted for and why, I'd love to hear your reasoning. Or if you have a poll question feel free to submit it as well.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
A Marvel-ous Best of The Rest + More
Man it seems like forever since I did one of these. I swear I'm gonna start blogging more than once a week for my loyal readers, especially since X makes me look bad by posting every night. What a jerk :P But today's review is special because for the FIRST time ever at JTCS I will review Marvel Comics as well. JT says what?! That's right guys, Deadpool #19 & #20 featuring our favorite Merc with a Mouth and a team up with our Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man! Also the crossover between Batgirl and Red Robin starts and I'll be reviewing that, along with a few others so lets get into it.
Batgirl #08
Red Robin: So you're still playing "Dress-Up" then?
Batgirl: Let's not throw stones, "Boy Wonder." I'm not the one dressed like Dr. Mid-nite.
Red Robin #10
Vicki Vale: Oh I'm not here to see Bruce, I'm here to see Tim Drake.
Alfred: Master Timothy... is FAR too young for you.
Deadpool #19
Deadpool: Spidey! What's up, baby boy? Haven't seen you since Amazing Spider-Man #611!
Deadpool #20
The series so nice I reviewed it twice... in a row. Or something, anyway this issue picks up where #19 left off. Now that our Amazing Arachnid and the Regenerating Degenerate know who their facing, the super dangerous gun toting simian known as Hit-Monkey. Who thinks of this?! This is so stupid yet genius enough to be a Deadpool villain. Hell who wouldn't fear a trained monkey with guns?! Anyway the comedy continues in this issue and we even get to see our cute and furry and deadly Hit-Monkey in action. Also for those of you that are into it, we see Deadpool in a dress so... um, yeah. Anyway I really liked this issue and can't wait to read the third issue. If Spidey and Deadpool had a comic series I'm confident I'd get every issue but until then a guy can dream can't he? Once again this gets a solid 9/10 from me. I really liked this issue and I can't find anything wrong with it, so bring on issue 21 asap.
Spider-Man: You know it just occured to me that... he can't really kill you, can he?
Deadpool: Well, No. Not... permanently...
Spider-Man: Then why are you so freaked out?
Deadpool: Uhh... because getting shot hurts?!
So far I've loved Widening Gyre so to say I've been waiting for issue #05 to drop is an understatement. I'm a big fan of Kevin Smith's work and the story of Bruce Wayne/Batman, his use of guys like Grayson and Drake and people like Baphomet and Silver Sable has been a breath of fresh air. This issue didn't stand as well as the others. The ending was anti-climactic and with so many stories built from the last issue like Bruce's love Triangle, what's gonna happen with the newest Vigilante in Gotham and Joker's easy dismissal I can't say I enjoyed this as much as I want to. Kevin's really put all his eggs in one basket and I don't know if this last issue will wrap up everything nicely considering there's only one issue left. That's the main problem I had with this issue, it was solid but nothing was really resolved. That's why I give this issue a 6.5/10. Kevin really needs to step it up in this last issue because I'd hate for something that started so promising to end in such a lame way.
Tim Drake: He's relentless. He won't quit. He's like John McClane.
Bruce Wayne: Who?
Tim Drake: You've gotta crack open a DVD every once in a while, Bruce.
Justice League: The Rise and Fall Special
This takes place after JLA: Cry For Justice. I just want to say some moments of this comic were really deep. The talk between Wally and Dick wondering if what happened to Roy could have happened to them was really good to bring up, because they were all Titans together. That could have easily been Donna, Dick, Wally or anyone else. The stuff with Green Arrow was really dark and I don't know if I like it or not but as a man who's lost everything at the hands of Prometheus I can't really blame the guy. The line he said to Barry, which I won't mention for spoiler reasons was awesome, and Barry was quick to defend himself which made for great tension. The newspaper at the end was an excellent touch and I can say that for the first time since hearing out about Roy I think this may lead to a good storyline so I'm definitely captivated. Great start to hopefully a great story. This gets a 9/10 from me, here's hoping the streak continues.
Dick Grayson: He's missing a limb and you and I are still going.
Wally West: We're no better than Roy.
Dick Grayson: I know, so have we simply been luckier? And if so, for how long?
So, that's all from me. Six comics, for the most part very good ones I'd recommend. Definitely looking forward to the Deadpool/Spidey conclusion, the continuation of Batgirl & Red Robin and more of the Rise and Fall of Green Arrow/Arsenal. Before I get outta here I just want to wish myself a happy 20th Birthday. Why? Because I'm awesome and this is how I remind you guys :) But thanks for reading, hope to hear from you in the comments. Until next time, you've just been gobsmacked!
- Jason Todd
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