Alan Rapp

Spider-Gwen #2

/ / Comics

Spider-Gwen #2Set on an alternate Earth where Gwen Stacy was bitten by a radioactive spider, I felt a bit lost reading the first issue of the series that, other than the look of Gwen as this world’s Spider-Woman, did little to sell me on the concept. The second issue, which picks up following our heroine getting her ass kicked by the Vulture, is a little more entertaining thanks in large part to the appearance of Spider-Ham as a delusional sidekick only the heavily-concussed Spider-Gwen can see and hear.

The rest of the comic continues the storyline from the first issue as Gwen puts off dealing with both her father and the Mary Janes, each interested in finding Gwen for different reasons. We also learn George Stacy has been replaced on the Spider-Woman case by this world’s Frank Castle who appears only moderately more reasonable than the regular Marvel Universe version.

Other than Gwen (and the hallucinatory pig) the only variation of a well-known character that has caught my eye is that of crime lawyer Matt Murdock who is going to have to be given a much larger role to keep my interest (especially if the end of Gwen’s concussion means farewell to Spider-Ham). For fans.

[Marvel, $3.99]

Spider-Gwen #2 Read More »

Hawaii Five-0 – Kahania

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: Hawaii Five-0 – Kahania
  • wiki: link

Hawaii Five-0 - Kahania

Offering the return of Michael Imperioli as local barber Odell Martin, the latest episode of Hawaii Five-0 focuses largely on McGarrett (Alex O’Loughlin) who finds himself in a stand-off with the barber and a young man (Steven Krueger) being hunted by the Armenian mob. Trapped in the barber shop without a phone (or any neighbor capable of hearing the hundreds of shots fired), Five-0’s commander manages to get all three men out alive, although a late twist puts the series of events in an entirely different perspective for McGarrett (as is evident by the episode’s tearful final reaction).

…

Hawaii Five-0 – KahaniaRead More »

Hawaii Five-0 – Kahania Read More »

The Blacklist – The Major

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: The Blacklist – The Major
  • wiki: link

The Blacklist - The Major

The investigation into the death of harbor master Martin Wilcox (Michael Kostroff) puts Lizzie (Megan Boone) in front of a judge (John Finn) forced to tell the truth about the task force while doing her best to hide the truth about how the harbor master met his end. To convince the judge of the reasons for keeping the task force classified Lizzie reveals her odd relationship with Red Reddington (James Spader) as the episode relies on a collection of clips and flashbacks as an overview for the show’s first 36 episodes.

…

The Blacklist – The MajorRead More »

The Blacklist – The Major Read More »

Rocket Raccoon #9

/ / Comics

Rocket Raccoon #9Set 30 years in the future Rocket Raccoon #9 offers a glimpse at a possible dark future for Rocket and Groot. Long after their collective adventures have ended, and Groot has decided to stay on Earth without his friend (helping its heroes unlock the secret to his regenerative properties), a monster-sized Groot is terrorizing the planet destroying everything in sight. Who’s Tony Stark gonna call? Gundam-style Rocket Raccoon, that’s who!

Dark future stories of heroes are hardly anything new but writer Skootie Young still finds a way to infuse the comic’s zaniness and fun without getting lost in the grim future.

The twist near the end of the comic lessens the impact of the story a bit as it’s revealed we’re only seeing a simulation of one possible future of the pair. What makes the story work is Young flipping the idea that Groot keeps Rocket in line and that the raccoon’s loving friend might become something far more dark and dangerous without his questionable influence. Yeah, looks like Rocket Raccoon is a good influence after all (at least for a living tree turned Kaiju monster). Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

Rocket Raccoon #9 Read More »