June 2020

Batman: The Animated Series – The Clock King

  • Title: Batman: The Animated Series – The Clock King
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Batman: The Animated Series - The Clock King television review

Throwback Tuesday takes us back to Gotham City for another episode of Batman: The Animated Series. The aptly named episode introduces the Clock King (Alan Rachins) as a disgruntled efficiency expert out for revenge. Opening with a flashback we see the unfortunate series of events that befalls Tempus Fugate when taking the advice of Hamilton Hill (Lloyd Bochner). Blaming Hill for the loss of his company, and wasting his time (an even greater offense), Fugate resurfaces seven years later attacking the now Mayor’s reputation at every opportunity. While far more toned-down and dapper than several other versions of the character over the years, Fugite’s eye to detail helps him plan the attacks down to the second and also allows him to come as close to any villain in the show’s history of taking out Batman (Kevin Conroy) for good. The episode is also memorable for Batman doing all of his crimefighting in the daytime for a change and the climax inside a clock tower where Batman is able to save the mayor, although the Clock King does manage to escape.

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Justice League #45

Justice League #45 comic reviewJim Corrigan has been separated from the Spectre and locked himself away in Tartarus. DC’s untethered Spirit of Vengeance is less than happy about the new arrangement as his thirst for vengeance infects the members of the Justice League pitting them against each other by inflaming old arguments and grudges.

The out of control Spectre is really just an excuse to pit hero against hero for the issue as the heroes try to see through the vengeance poured into them, but struggle against the base nature the Spectre’s wrath is fueling. Finally gathering their wits, the team comes to realize what has happened and where they must go to fix the situation. However, the locales of Themyscira may have something to say about that.

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Stargirl – Icicle

  • Title: Stargirl – Icicle
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Stargirl - Icicle television review

“Icicle” brings back the deadliest member of the Injustice Society of America to Blue Valley, Nebraska while continuing to hint at his larger plans for a “New America.” And neither friend nor foe appears to be safe from his icy wrath. Along with Stargirl‘s (Brec Bassinger) first encounter with the ice villain (who publicly calls out the new hero by putting a large icy star in the middle of Courtney’s walk home), the episode also delivers her first trip to the Justice Society of America’s headquarters where Pat‘s (Luke Wilson) plan to talk Courtney out of super-heroing backfires setting up the next several episodes with Courtney recruiting a new society to take down Icicle and company.

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Harley Quinn – A Seat At The Table

  • Title: Harley Quinn – A Seat At The Table
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“So we’re blowing up Todd after dinner.”

Harley Quinn - A Seat At The Table television review

When the Gods wish to punish us, they answer our prayers. In “A Seat At The Table” Harley Quinn (Kaley Cuoco) has achieved everything she thinks she’s ever wanted. She’s a card-carrying member of the Legion of Doom who listen to her opinions. And even the Joker (Alan Tudyk) is treating her like an equal for the first time in their life. However, things are not all that the seem. First, her crew is given a less cordial reception. While Harley earns a big office, they are sent down with the goons and henchmen to be rented out to any member of the league. Second, her attempts to learn more about how to get things done within the group by spending time with the Joker neglects both the crew and Ivy (Lake Bell) who Harley had agreed to help with an environmental attack (only to show up kissing Joker on the news instead).

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Suicide Squad #5

Suicide Squad #5 comic reviewSuicide Squad #5 opens in mid-battle in Australia with the Squad kicking the shit out of Captain Boomerang who some want to recruit and some want dead. Returning to base with Boomerang doesn’t clear things up as, after being ordered to execute the same target they just risked their lives to retrieve, Deadshot leads a mutiny beginning with ending Lok‘s short run with a bullet to the face.

This was my first check-in with the series since it’s premiere issue. Overall the comic feels a bit bloated with extra characters (although, in the tradition of Suicide Squad, you would expect many of these to be cannon fodder at some point). With everyone now after them, I’d expect some causalities in the issues to come.

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