March 2011

New Avengers #10

/ / Comics

There are two stories going on here. The first is the current squad of New Avengers fighting Superia and her squad of former H.A.M.M.E.R. troops. One Avenger is already down and the team has their hands full with villains they were just joking about last issue.

The second takes place years before and follows Nick Fury on his mission to recruit the very first team of Avengers consisting of Silver Sable, Sabertooh, Kraven, Namora, Ulysses Bloodstone, Dominic Fortune, and Dum Dum Doogan. Aside from historical clusterfuck this presents with this team being the Avengers before the Avengers (and thus tying the Star Trek franchise for the worst idea of another Enterprise being the best ship in Starfleet decades before the original Star Trek), it’s a pretty good tale. Oh, and did I mention I hate that they’re called the Avengers?

Even if I do have issues with the flashback storyline it’s by far the more intriguing of the two. (Sorry if I can’t get choked up on the apparently imminent death of a C-List West Avengers character Marvel kills and brings back whenever it fits their whimsy.)

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Batgirl #19

/ / Comics

batgirl-19-coverAfter last month’s magical romp with Klarion the Witch Boy (that sounded way dirtier than I meant it to), Batgirl returns to the streets to track down the speedster thief (Slipstream), try and lose her biggest fan (The Grey Ghost), and get used to the improved digs (thanks to a generious contribution by the Wayne Foundation).

We also get more of Stephanie’s unsuccessful juggling of her school life, home life, and nighttime activities, as well as a couple of great panels (like this one) showcasing the humor of the character.

On the negative, I’m not sure the reveal of Slipstream’s big plan makes more sense than simply emptying the various bank vaults he’s hit. That said, I’m still willing to wait and see how things play out. I also thought the Barbara/Proxy showdown (i.e. here’s your lesson kiddos) was a tad forced for my tastes.

Even with these minor quibbles Batgirl continues to deliver yet another good story. Worth a look.

[DC $2.99]

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Red State

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: Red State
  • IMDB: link

red-state-posterI’ve been saying for years I wanted to see Kevin Smith try something different. With Red State, the writer/director attempts to create a horror film based loosely on the Westboro Baptist Church. It’s a departure of sorts (Smith still finds a way to slide in his usual assortment of dick jokes), and even if its not entirely successful, Red State does have its moments.

The film centers around the fictional Five Points Church led by the charismatic Reverend Abin Cooper (based on Fred Phelps and played by Michael Parks). No longer content to just protest at funerals of homosexuals, Cooper and his brethren have begun entrapping and executing those who they see as a blight on their community.

In true teen sex comedy fasion Red State begins with the lustful dreams of three teens (Michael Angarano, Kyle Gallner, Nicholas Braun), but, after more than a few twists and turns, ends with a shoot-out between the ATF and the Five Points Church.

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For a Better Future

/ / Comics

morning-glories-volume-oneA new group of six students, the best and the brightest, make their way to Morning Glories, one of the most prestigious prep schools in the country. They soon find themselves tested, tortured, and locked inside a facility far more insidious than the brochures would have you believe.

Writer Nick Spencer’s tale has been compared to everything from Lost to The Prisoner. For me, if feels much more like a modern teenage take on the later (and thankfully lacks the all the flashbacks of the former). What Spencer and artist Joe Eisma do give us is a tale of dark secrets which aren’t going to be revealed easily about an organization that will do whatever it takes to fulfill its mysterious goals.

Volume One collects the first six-issue mini-series of the now on-going Image Comics title. The story centers around six new students: Casey (the most promising), Ike (the sociopath), Hunter (the nerd), Zoe (the bitch), Jun (the tough silent type), and Jade (the emo chick).

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