June 2010

Amazing Spider-Man #634

/ / Comics

amazing-spider-man-634-coverWar between tribes? *Sigh* The “Grim Hunt” conclusion of The Gauntlet begins here, and for the life of me I can’t get Knightfall out of my head. And not in a good way. Here we have villains I couldn’t give two shits about (Ana, Alyosha, and Sasha Kravinoff) sending waves of former big name baddies after our hero to weaken him until they step in for the kill. Sound familiar? Throw in some fuzzy mysticism and human sacrifice and I’m groaning my way through a comic best forgotten.

Although I’ve liked individual stories in The Gauntlet, the story behind the scenes, which comes to the forefront here, has done more to weary me than our hero. Why am I supposed to care about forgotten Spider-Women, Madame Web (a character I’ve never liked), Ezekiel, Kaine, or Kraven’s wacky family? Hopefully Marvel can get through the “Grim Hunt” and on to better things for the wallcrawler as fast as possible. Pass.

[Marvel $3.99]

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Birds of Prey #2

/ / Comics

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The plot behind the mysterious assassin deepens as the Birds find themselves on the run from a foe who knows their secrets, is at least two-steps ahead, and is able to make everyone dance to the song they have decided to play. I have faith in writer Gail Simone, but I’m a little concerned with where the story is heading, the near omniscience of their opponent, and the long list of repercussions the book will have to deal with (perhaps for years) unless Oracle and her crew mount a comeback, quickly. Although I wasn’t a big fan of either Savant or Creote they deserve a better fate than they’re given here. Hit-and-Miss.

[DC $2.99]

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Toy Story 3

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: Toy Story 3
  • IMDB: link

With Toy Story 3 Pixar moves into uncharted territory. The studio has shied away from movie franchises and, other than Toy Story 2, has even stayed away from sequels. It’s been 15 years since the original Toy Story hit theaters and an entire generation has grown up with these characters. So the question is: Does the third film do the franchise proud?

The answer, thankfully, is yes.

As the third film opens Andy (John Morris) is no longer so young. Over the past decade-and-a-half the young boy who played with Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) and the rest of the toys has grown up. About to leave for college Andy is forced to make decisions on what vestiges of his youth to keep.

Without giving too much away, through a series of misadventures the toys find themselves packed away to a local daycare. The situation divides the group as to whether they should return to Andy or make new lives for themselves with the young children eager to play with them.

…

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Batman #700

/ / Comics

batman-700-coverIt’s funny how many of Grant Morrison’s stories come with that caveat. For Batman’s #700 issue Morrison gives us a scientist, the Joker’s myserious joke book, and a “maybe machine” that can alter time. And yes, that’s the dumbest name for a time travel invention ever.

Story one involves Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson in an adventure from their earlier years. The story continues in the current continuity and in the future with Damian as Batman. There are short glimpses of the future involving Terry McGinnis as the Dark Knight and beyond.

What’s so interesting is in an attempt to give us an epic Batman story what Morrison hasn’t given us a Batman story at all. He’s given us a Matt Wagner story instead. It seems much like Grendel the shadow of the bat will continue across time in dystopian futures and beyond.

Is it worth picking up? For big-time Bat-fans, yes. For everyone else, probably not. The time mystery isn’t that interesting and of all the stories here only the current version of Batman and Robin is told all that well. Hit-and-Miss.

[DC, $4.99]

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Prince of Power #2

/ / Comics

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Cho vs. Thor, what more do you want? I was never a big fan of Hercules, but I’ve got to say I’m really starting to warm to Amadeus Cho. Cho walks right into the trap left by Loki’s bastard Vali Halfling and finds himself defending himself against a very angry God of Thunder. Vali Halfling is after the secret to immortality and has convinced everyone that Cho is helping him (which is bad news for our hero). There are some nice sequences here, and I especially love Thor’s consternation with the Prince of Power. Definitely worth a look.

[Marvel $2.99]

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