Detective Comic (2011) #23.4 Review

A very descriptive piece on the problem of substance abuse and obsession.

This issue focuses on Kirk Langstrom, first fighting against his wife, who has stolen his formula and become She-Bat and then goes on to have him work obsessively to make himself into a better, faster and stronger Man-Bat in order to fight crime and corruption with the Batman gone.

I do love the descent Langstrom has into madness and the way he becomes addicted at the end, turning into the very thing he wanted to protect the world from... a "monster." The characterisation is strong as well, giving us a new and darker look at Francine Langstrom, who when she first appeared seemed to be neutral, having connections to people stealing Langstrom's formula. 

I do think the formula is a meant to be a reference to the powerful nature of drugs and the long term affects on the user and if it it, I think this comic is both entertaining as well as being a positive educator without being blatant and in your face. 

Overall I would rate this comic highly. It has one of my favourite characters and the story is simple, strong and effective in it's portrayal.

Aquaman (2011) #23.2 Review

Hey everybody, before I do this review, I  wish you all a very happy Halloween.

Okay, so I absolutly love this comic and love what The New 52 has done with the Ocean Master.

The premise of the story is Ocean Master's journey back to Atlantis after all the criminals are broken out of Belle Reve Prison by Deathstorm and Power Ring (chronologically before Forever Evil #1.)

This comic is rather slow pace as he makes his way to the sea, but it also gives a more genlte and "human" look on Orm.It also has some great dialogue and a surprising twist at the end that will surprise the reader and possibly make the charcter more likable, without making him repent and turn to a superhero. I like slow pace when it is worthy of the speed, choosing to go down a diffrent route to the more action packed Forever Evil central series and I feel the speed and tone of this issue is just perfect for the story it's trying to tell. This is Orm learning about both humanity and the act of humanity.

I would recommend this title for fans of the original Ocean Master in the early Aquaman comics, but would suggest for a tiny bit of back story to read Justice League: Throne of Atlantis, just to learn about the Atlantean attack on America.

Dc Comics: The New 52 Villain's Month (Review)

I am going to review each one individually, but as I haven't read them all I will just to a collected on my thoughts so far of this event.

For those of you who don't know, the Villain's month is a group of comics that were dedicated to the villains of the Dc Universe last Halloween and lead into Forever Evil and I must say I wish they continued with other villains, because from what I have read currently, it is nice to see what goes on in some of the greatest evil minds in Dc Comics. They also are single issues that you don't need to know read any other issues and recaps what has happened in Forever Evil and the Crime Syndicate's pledge to the villains and chilling message to the world.

The idea is also great as comic books focus too much on the heroes, so giving the villian/ anti-hero a chance to take the spotlight is both exciting and fascinating.  Out of the ones I have read, I must say my personal favourite was either Ocean Master or Man-Bat, with stories that is both consice and fast paced with some very good charaterisation and a specific character doing something both heroic and sweet that it touched at my heart.

Overall I must say I am thourilly enjoying the set and I love this concept of bad guy being the front and center of a title.

Individual review titles will be posted as soon as I have done with them all (most likely as my Halloween posts)

Earth 2 (2012) #15.2 Transcript

WHERE THE RIVER RAN RED

SCENE #1: Earth 2: Now

AN R.V IS DRIVING THROUGH THE DESSERT IN THE DARK. A CHILD HAS HIS HANDS PRESSED AGAINST THE GLASS, LOOKING INTO THE NIGHT SKY.

BOY:

Holy cow! Look at that, mom!

HIS EYES AND MOUTH WIDEN IN EXCITED ASTONISHMENT. HE CAN SEE A BALL OF FIRE HURTLE THROUGH THE AIR.

BOY: (CON'T)

That's the brightest shooting star I've ever seen!

SCENE # 2:

A YOUNG COUPLE ARE LYING ON THE BONNET OF A CAR. THE MALE HAS HIS ARM SUPPORTING THE FEMALE'S HEAD BEHIND HER AND SHE IS RESTING ON HIS SHOULDER.

THERE FACES CHANGE TO EVEN MORE PLEASURE AT THE SIGHT OF THE FIREBALL, MOVING TOWARDS THEM.

YOUNG FEMALE:

Oh, my god! Look! A shooting star! Quick make a...

THERE FACE'S TURN TO FEAR AND ALARM AS THE FIREBALL CONTINUES TO HURTLE TOWARDS THEM AND THEY GRAB EACH OTHER IN TERROR.

YOUNG FEMALE: (CON'T)

...wish.

THERE IS A BIG EXPLOSION AS THE FIREBALL HITS THE CAR, KILLING THE COUPLE. A TYRE IS SENT ROCKETING FROM THE WRECKAGE, BOUNCING AND ROLLING AWAY. A CRATER HAS FORMED AND SUDDENLY A HAND ERUPTS FROM THE SMOKE AND FLAMES, HAULING THE OWNER OUT. THE SMOKE CLEARS TO REVEAL... GRUNDY.

HE MAKES SLOW MOVEMENTS TOWARDS A LONE CACTUS, THE ONLY SOURCE OF LIFE AROUND IN THE DESSERT.

GRUNDY:

Life.

IT PUTS HIS HAND AROUND THE CACTUS, TURNING IT TO GREY DUST ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, CRUMBLING AND TURNING INTO DUST IN HIS HAND.

GRUNDY: (CON'T)

Rot.

Gotham: (2014) Season 1 Episode 4 Review: Arkham

A game changer in the crime underworld and we see the job interview of a lifetime that would put "the Apprentice" to shame.

The premise of this episode is the fight between Maroni and Falcone for control of the "Arkham" project, that had also been in the interests of the Waynes. Penguin is trying to rise up in the ranks and has to deal with a very irate Gordon, who isn't too pleased to see him. Meanwhile Fish Mooney is looking for a "secret weapon" in her own personal mission to take down Falcone.

I do like this episode, but I'm not to fond of the villain. This sharp spike weapon freaked me out, but I can look past this and say it is great to see the dynamics between the crime bosses and their mobs. The auditions for the singers "Mooney's weapons" are really quite interesting to observe how well she has planned to take Falcone out. As for the dock scene near the end of the episode, it made me laugh and remember the scene in The Dark Knight, where Joker has two people fight for the position in his gang with a halved pool cue. Nygma is getting more lines and I'm loving the condescending and patronising tone he uses when he talks to Bullock. 

What I am also enjoying is the progression Cobblepot is taking to become the crime boss we know he is in the comic books. Last episode it was blackmail, this week it's manipulation. He is moving people in a game that will cost the city dearly and it is just so flawless. He is one of the best characters in the show.

Overall, despite my complaints about the assassin and his method of killing (due to me being a wuss), this episode is strong and is getting to be quite the remarkable series.

Gotham: (2014) Season 1 Episode 5 Review: Viper

A story that introduces an already twisted dark plot-line into a new war.

This episode is really interesting as it not only focuses on "the villain of the week", but also the bigger picture and tension between the Crime Famalies and the possible upcoming war between Falcone and Maroni. They are going tit for tat on each other, trying to one up themselves in who can do as much damage to the other without killing them and it is really brilliant to see the depths they go to .

Edward Nygma is starting to creep from the shadows and we can start to see a very Riddler-esk style to him and finding it fascinating when things turn quite grizzly. I am also really enjoying the Penguin's rise through the ranks of Maroni's inner circle and think this will be an exciting lead to battle.

I do like the "Viper" drug and love how the episode is foreshadowing the arrival of "venom" and Bane. As for other aspects of the episode, it was a pretty firm job as is starting to pick up a fast pace rhythm that is doing a great job at characterisation. I personally love the scene with the Crime Family meeting together and can't wait to see how long it takes before they turn on each other.

Overall I think this episode is great and is part of the reason I am hooked to this series. The ending scene is also pretty cool, as it shows a nice side to Falcone (proves there is humanity to everyone deep down.)

Gotham: (2014) Season 1 Episode 6 Review: Spirit of the Goat

I will try to be considerate and not share any of the major plot spoilers, but I have to say this is a great episode to play in with Halloween this Friday.

This episode is  Harvey Bullock based, venturing into his past as he has to face "The Spirit of the Goat", who he had met in a previous case 10 years before the current episode.

Overall it has to be one of my favourite episodes of the series. I love what they are doing with Edward Nygma and the fact that he is getting more and more visible is brilliant... I have always been a massive Riddler fan, so it's good to see an origin story and a portrayal that I think could work in real life. The relationship with Oswald and his mother is both creepy and interesting and the ending is one of the biggest W.T.F moments of the series. As for the Selina Kyle scene, it is just so fascinating to watch her interactions and movements, almost as though she was feline herself.

If I did have a complaint, it would be that they didn't have Maroni, Falcone or Mooney appear. Judging by the ending and the promo for next week, I think we are preparing for a large mob boss feast, but I do just love a good Fish scene and her plots to remove Don Falcone from power.

Overall a brilliant treat and I am looking forward to see how everything will continue it's downwards spiral and how it is all connected to Arkham and the Waynes.