Alan Rapp

Daredevil #1

/ / Comics

daredevil-1-coverMarvel’s latest reintroduction of Daredevil features the hero stopping a kidnapping by the Spot at a mobster wedding. Of course, our hero doesn’t leave before kissing the bride.

The comic, much like Matt Murdock himself, is less successful at attempting to reintroduce Murdock’s life now that everyone knows he’s Daredevil even though he still denies it publicly. His response is nothing more than “Am not!” If the choice isn’t to have Murdock embrace the public nature of his less-than-secret identity (as Tony Stark has) some form of retcon seems to be in order.

Although this gray area might provide plenty of ammo to help screw up Murdock’s personal life and his role as a lawyer, his response being nothing more than a blanket denial isn’t going to work for very long (nor should it).

The first issue is a good re-introduction to the character plopping the Murdock right back into his old life (even if it does skirt the consequences of Shadowland). Worth a look.

[Daredevil, $3.99]

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Cinderella: Fables are Forever #6

/ / Comics

cinderella-fables-are-forever-6-coverThe six-issue Fables mini-series concludes with a final confrontation between Cinderella and Dorothy Gale aboard a Zeppelin miles above the Deadly Desert.

We learn that though Dorothy (as a sociopathic mercenary) might be the more dangerous of the two, Cinderella knows how to outwit and opponent rather than just kill one. Cinderella proves there is a difference between a patriot and a mercenary (even if she does have to stoop to Dorothy’s level to get her victory).

Up until this mini-series I’ve never been all that interested in the Fables universe, but writer Chris Roberson has delivered a strong series centered around the idea of Cinderella as a super-spy that’s hard to not like.

Although I think it’s a good that the series was limited to six issues, I wouldn’t mind seeing Cinderella return (preferably without Dorothy) for a new adventure next year. Worth a look.

[Vertigo, $2.99]

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Girl Power

/ / Comics

Power GirlThere are many reasons to love this issue, including a great message to young female comic book readers which the entire story is centered around. Power Girl goes to speak at a convention, in front of fans of all ages dressed up their hero, and ends up relying on their help when one of the fans turns out to be an alien who abducts them all in an attempt to steal Kara’s powers.

The story stands out its own and it’s definitely worth a read, but I also want to spend time talking about the other takeaway from this issue which flies right in the face of DC’s massive reboot scheduled for September. Over the past fourteen issues, since Judd Winick took over the writing duties, the character has not only become fun to read but relevant as well. And now another writer, Matthew Sturges proves he can pick up the baton and not miss a beat.

We don’t need a chronological reboot and massive redesign to make heroes at the edge of the DCU relevant again. All we need are good writers telling good stories, just like this one. Must-read.

[DC, $2.99]

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The Eagle

/ / Home Video
  • Title: The Eagle
  • IMDB: link

the-eagle-dvd20 years after the mysterious disappearance of the Ninth Legion in the wilds of Northern Britain the son (Channing Tatum) of the legion’s commander goes in search to restore his family’s honor by recovering the Legion’s standard – a golden eagle. Along for the ride is his slave Esca (Jamie Bell) who knows the terrain and people north of Hadrian’s Wall. The pair trade places as the slave becomes the master and tensions fray near the breaking point as they discover the final resting place of the Legion, the fate of Marcus’ father, and the whereabouts of the eagle.

Similar to Centurion (read that review), The Eagle far less ambitious and poorly handled. The film is saddled with some astonishingly bad dialogue, a wooden leading man, a mind-dulling final hour, and a poorly thought-out ending.

The DVD and Blu-ray include the theatrical cut as well as an unrated version of the film, an alternate ending, deleted scenes, a behind-the-scenes featurette, and commentary by director Kevin Macdonald.

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Doctor Who – Series Six, Part One

/ / Home Video
  • Title: Doctor Who – Series Six (Part One)
  • tv.com: link

doctor-who-series-six-part-one-blu-rayIt begins with a trip to Nixon’s White House, a scared little girl (Sydney Wade) with the power to regenerate, the death of The Doctor (Matt Smith) and the first appearance of the Silence. And it ends with true identity of River Song (Alex Kingston) revealed.

The two-disc Blu-ray includes all seven of the first half of Doctor Who Series Six including pirates, Flesh created doppelgängers with minds of their own, the TARDIS in human form, and The Doctor and Rory (Arthur Darvill) mobilizing an army to save Amy Pond (Karen Gillan) and her young daughter from those who would use her as a weapon against The Doctor.

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