Alan Rapp

Samurai Jack – Episode XII: Jack and the Gangsters

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: Samurai Jack – Episode XII: Jack and the Gangsters
  • wiki: link

Samurai Jack - Episode XII: Jack and the Gangsters television review

Throwback Thursday takes us back to the adventures of the time-displaced samurai and his quest to make his way home. “Episode XII” is an odd episode, even for Samurai Jack. Stumbling into a den of low-level gangsters working for Aku (Mako), Jack (Phil LaMarr) decides to join the group in hopes of being taken his enemy. Prior to getting there, the samurai will get an old school gangster makeover and will have to battle three elemental warriors for control of a gem that offers the user control over water. While not one of the shows’ most memorable episodes, “Episode XII” does offer enjoyable action sequences, the odd styling of Jack dressed in a pinstripe suit, and it’s the closest Jack gets to defeating Aku up until the show’s finale. Only the “help” of his new friends prevents Jack from destroying the evil that is Aku and thus forcing his quest to continue.

…

Samurai Jack – Episode XII: Jack and the GangstersRead More »

Samurai Jack – Episode XII: Jack and the Gangsters Read More »

Darth Vader #19

/ / Comics

Darth Vader #19 comic reviewOne of the interesting concepts introduced in Star Wars Rebels was the role of the Inquisitors. Force-trained minions sent to hunt the remaining Jedi, the concept opened a new world of characters and potential stories to explore. Darth Vader #19 returns these characters (including an appearance by the Grand Inquisitor) as Vader and his Dark Side army show up to kill a former member of the Jedi Council and take his newborn for nefarious purposes.

While Vader appears on several pages, his dialogue is clipped here allowing for the Dark Lord of the Sith’s menacing actions to speak for him. Taking on the Jedi himself, Vader sends the Inquisitors after the child who they savagely pry from his mother’s arms.

…

Darth Vader #19Read More »

Darth Vader #19 Read More »

Red Hood and the Outlaws #25

/ / Comics

Red Hood and the Outlaws #25 comic reviewThings get pretty bleak for the Outlaws in the over-sized twenty-fifth issue. After fleeing from the police, the Red Hood runs into one pissed-off Batman who isn’t too happy with his former partner’s recent actions (such as murdering the Penguin on live television). Having broken their agreement that Jason could operate in Gotham City under the sole condition that he wouldn’t take a life, the Red Hood must face the music. Lucky for him, his friends step in to avoid him from getting his ass kicked any more than necessary.

…

Red Hood and the Outlaws #25Read More »

Red Hood and the Outlaws #25 Read More »

Spenser: For Hire – Autumn Thieves

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: Spenser: For Hire – Autumn Thieves
  • IMDb: link

Spenser: For Hire - Autumn Thieves television review

For Throwback Thursday we turn we turn our attention back to the mean streets of Boston (or in this case lush New England countryside). While looking for a missing person (Mark Keyloun), Spenser (Robert Urich) stumbles into a museum robbery which will lead him to the Berkshires and a family of thieves both responsible for the theft and in far over their heads with Boston gangsters. Although “Autumn Thieves” features Spenser getting shot and a young man getting beaten savagely, its a surprisingly breezy episode partly due to its beautiful setting and partly do to the thieves’ patriarch (Alfred Drake). For a show that deals with all manner of villains from gangsters to pedophiles, gentlemen thieves turn out to be rather charming.

…

Spenser: For Hire – Autumn ThievesRead More »

Spenser: For Hire – Autumn Thieves Read More »

Domino #5

/ / Comics

Domino #5 comic reviewWhile the overall plot of Domino versus her new arch-nemeses doesn’t progress much, there’s still quite a bit to enjoy this issue including our girl grasping a measure of insight while fighting off a club full of enemies alongside Shang-Chi. Finding calm in the storm, Domino realizes that her powers can work for her (and why that can terrify all those around her).

There’s a noticeable weight taken off Domino’s shoulders when she stops trying to force her powers and just let them work naturally for her. Of course, there are still questions about what happens when her adversary either takes those powers away or decides to ramp them into high-gear again. Has she learned enough from Shang-Chi? Time will tell.

…

Domino #5Read More »

Domino #5 Read More »