April 2011

Chuck Versus the Wedding Planner

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: Chuck – Chuck Versus the Wedding Planner
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chuck-vs-the-wedding-planner

The theme of this week’s episode, “Chuck Versus the Wedding Planner,” was fathers and daughters. After Chuck (Zachary Levi) and Sarah (Yvonne Strahovski) get taken in a con by their wedding planner they turn to the best con man they know for help – Sarah’s father (Gary Cole). In the B-story episode Casey (Adam Baldwin) and his daughter Alex (Mekenna Melvin) decide to tell her mother (Clare Carey) he’s still alive. We also get a short sequence with Awesome (Ryan McPartlin) and his baby daughter. What’s surprising, in a story about fathers and daughters, is we don’t get any movement on Ellie’s (Sarah Lancaster) investigation into her father’s work.

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Cinderella: Fables are Forever #3

/ / Comics

fables-are-forever-3-coverMonth after month Cinderella: Fables are Forever continues to be a pleasant surprise. Who would have thought a fairy tale princess turned super spy would make such a fun read? And Cinderella, master spy, has somehow quickly become one of my favorite current leading ladies in comics.

In the latest issue Cinderella’s search for Dororthy Gale continues. Issue #3 also delivers a few more flashbacks filling in the years between the character’s interactions to give us an idea what Dorothy has been doing since she left Oz. I like that the pair seem evenly matched, though Dorothy’s insanity and bloodthirsty nature give her a definite advantage.

The confrontation with the Chiss (think giant porcupine) has a satisfactory, even humorous, conclusion and Cinderella decides the only way to track down the elusive assassin is to put herself inside spider’s den. The spy has made herself the bait, but that’s fine with me. I’m ready to go wherever she wants to lead. Worth a look.

[Vertigo, $2.99]

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Birds of Prey #11

/ / Comics

birds-of-prey-11-coverSince it’s relaunch I’ve had mixed feelings with Birds of Prey. When compared to writer Gail Simone’s other major title I’ve always preferred Secret Six. Until now. Of course, the fact that the entire issue revolves around Catman may have something to do with that.

The issue is centered around the Huntress and Catman reconnecting, and spending the night together working to track down a small gang of thieves. The mutual attraction we saw back in the previous volume of Birds of Prey is still present, as are Helena’s growing concerns with the changes to Thomas Blake.

The story’s climax is more convoluted than I’d like, but I actually like this pair together. It’s also nice to see the screwed-up but still noble side of Catman that’s been missing since before the storyline involving the kidnapping his son. I also quite enjoyed the final conversation between Catman and Deadshot. Their friendship (something else I’ve been missing from Secret Six lately), definitely deserves more page time. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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Justice League: Generation Lost #23

/ / Comics

generation-lost-23-coverBatman has rejoined the team, they’ve finally found Wonder Woman… and all hell has just broken loose. Maxwell Lord has begun his endgame by releasing the OMAC Prime with one purpose: to kill Wonder Woman.

As super-evil-mastermind-plans go it’s a little anti-climactic, but there’s plenty of action this time around as Max has used the JLI once again to his own ends. Now he’s located Wonder Woman and only the former Justice Leaguers stand in his way to completing his revenge.

This still leaves quite a bit to be taken care of in the maxi-series’ extra-sized finale including 99.9% of the world’s heroes not knowing who Maxwell Lord is, oh, and saving Wonder Woman, too.

However this ends, and I feel pretty safe in assuming Wonder Woman isn’t going to die, writer Judd Winick has given us a DC year-long event I really enjoyed. I’m going to be sorry when this one’s over. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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Amazing Spider-Man #658

/ / Comics

amazing-spider-man-658-coverWith this issue we get yet another “first day with the Future Foundation” story. Not that I mind, but how much blood can Marvel squeeze from a stone? The story showcases Spider-Man being thrust into several missions all at once, but it does start off with a very questionable opening joke.

Spidey shows up for his first real day on the job wearing a modified Fantastic Four costume, much to the horror and disgust of his new teammates. Is it a funny joke? Sure, but it’s also completely oblivious and far from the what we’d expect from the current Peter Parker who took Franklin Richards under his wing and shared his grief with the rest of the FF.

I have to say the amount of whining Spidey does in this issue troubles me a little. It looks like the decision is to make Peter far more kid-like than we’ve seen him in recent years in an attempt to better the team dynamic (which I think is a really, really bad idea). We also get the first rumblings of a major problem with Peter and Carlie‘s relationship which could lead to a big confrontation in the next issue. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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