November 2012

47 Ronin #1

/ / Comics

47-ronin-1-coverDark Horse Comics founder Mike Richardson has been obsessed with bringing the Japanese legend of the 47 Ronin to comics for the better part of a quarter of a century. Now, with the help of artist Stan Sakai, he succeeds in beginning his tale of the Japanese legend (based in historical fact) of 47 former samurai turned ronin who attempt to avenge the honor of their former master.

Stan Sakai is the perfect choice to bring the story to life, although I’ll admit it does take a little getting used to him drawing humans rather than katana-wielding rabbits. As good as his work is here, for someone going through months of serious rabbit ronin withdrawal (Sakai’s work on Usagi Yojimbo was halted for him to work on this project), I can’t wait to see him return to new stories of his creation.

The first issue of the five-issue mini-series is presented in a way that should appeal both to those who already know the story and those discovering it for the first time. Worth a look.

[Dark Horse, $3.99]

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Scandal – Spies Like Us

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: Scandal – Spies Like Us
  • tv.com: link

“I really, really like killing people.”

scandal-spies-like-us

Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) receives an anonymous letter from a suicide victim (Richard Gilliland) shortly before his death asking her to protect a group of spies who were part of a top secret off-the-books CIA program from a master hacker who plans on exposing them all, included Huck (Guillermo Díaz). Despite Huck’s initial reaction to run, Olivia convinces him to stay and let her do what she does best by fixing the situation.

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Person of Interest – Critical

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: Person of Interest – Critical
  • tv.com: link

person-of-interest-critical

The latest number delivered by The Machine introduces some unusual problems for Reese (Jim Caviezel) and Finch (Michael Emerson). First, Reese has to save the life of a previous number second time when Leon (Ken Leung) gets mixed up with the Russian mob. Second, they have to find a way to protect a surgeon (Sharon Leal) who is being blackmailed by a mysterious businessman (Julian Sands) holding her wife (Erica Leerhsen) hostage to make sure the doctor’s latest patient doesn’t survive his surgery.

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Batman and Robin #14

/ / Comics

batman-and-robin-new-52-14-cover“Death of the Family” continues (albeit without the Joker) as Batman and Robin #14 concludes the story from last month by focusing separately on both Damian and Batman fighting with the army of hungry zombies kidnapping citizens for food. Even putting aside my dislike of zombies in general, I’ve got to say this is one of the most uninspired comics I’ve read so far this year.

Most of the comic focuses on Damian actually acting like a hero and fearful and irrational Batman needless berating him, first over the comms and later in person, before a 180-degree so fast it will give you whiplash.

Aside from Damain actually doing some justice to the Robin name (and not being the complete tool the New 52 has been so focused on delivering month after month) there’s almost nothing worthy of notice. The story is completely forgettable and the mix of both Patrick Gleason and Tomás Giorello’s art makes the comic look and feel uneven at best. Pass.

[DC, $2.99]

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Glee – Glease

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: Glee – Glease
  • tv.com: link

“You’re kind of my moose.”

glee-glease

On hearing the news that Mr. Shue (Matthew Morrison) plans on leaving the Glee Club until after Sectionals once the musical is complete the club panics and Sue (Jane Lynch) goes bananas when Schuester announces Finn (Cory Monteith) will be leading the club in his absence. Declaring war once again on the arts, Sue begins to undermine both the Glee Club and the musical beginning with convincing Wade’s parents (Mark Christopher Lawrence, Davenia McFadden) that it may not be safe for their son to play the role of Rizzo in Grease.

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