Alan Rapp

G.I. JOE #2

/ / Comics

gijoe-2-coverCobra Commander may be dead, but that doesn’t mean COBRA is going away quietly. With Duke stuck in Washington for a series of bureaucratic meetings, COBRA sets out a two-pronged attack. The first sends in two of their best agents to infiltrate the Pit and the second attempts to take out the Joe’s leader in the nation’s capital.

Zartan creates all kinds of chaos here (although it’s a little unclear if the Joes know about him or he’s being reintroduced as a new character) taking out members of the team to assume their identities with one purpose – to silence the COBRA prisoner. As to what Storm Shadow‘s true mission is, I guess we’ll have to wait for that to be revealed next month.

Meanwhile Duke and Dial Tone fight their way out of a government facility, not knowing who to trust. Anyone could be an agent of COBRA. Remember, it’s not paranoia if they’re really after you. Although I’m not totally sold on Javier Saltares’ artwork, writer Chuck Dixon gives us pair of strong stories. Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]

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Transformers 3 brought to you by Michael Bay and Lenovo

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: Transformers: Dark of the Moon
  • IMDB: link

transformers-dark-of-the-moon-posterIt’s official, Michael Bay can now be legitimately named the serial rapist of my childhood. Three Transformers movies and the man still doesn’t know what the hell a robot is (let alone a Transformer). Short version: Despite showing a momentary early glimmer of promise of not totally sucking, the film wastes what little it had going for it by making a series of mistakes and beating you down with a level of stupidity it’s hard to believe was done on purpose. For the first, but certainly not the last, time in this review, let me just say: Fuck you Michael Bay.

What works? The special effects are well done. The 3D isn’t Avatar level but is still impressive. Everything else? Hold on to your seats boys and girls this is going to get messy. Spoilers be damned, I’ve got a hellova lot to talk about. You’ve been warned!

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Transformers 3 brought to you by Michael Bay and Lenovo Read More »

Ultimate Spider-Man #160

/ / Comics

ultimate-spider-man-160-coverI’ve largely stayed out of Marvel Comics’ Ultimate Universe. The revamped look at classic heroes never really caught my fancy. The one exception to this was Ultimate Spider-Man, which I read sporadically for a short while before eventually moving on to other titles.

The Ultimate Universe has gone through quite a few shakeups in recent years including the deaths of numerous heroes. This issue, however, delivers the death of the hero with the longest running on-going Ultimate title – Peter Parker.

Of all the choices involved in this version of Peter the best was took keep his youth intact throughout his run. This Peter never graduates high school, and after the events of this issue it’s clear he never will. This also makes his death, at such a young age, much more tragic.

I liked this Spidey, but I was far less impressed with the Ultimate version of the Green Goblin, who plans the villain of this issue. After taking a bullet for Captain America in the previous issue our wounded hero makes his way to Queens to save his loved ones from the Goblin’s latest attack. He’s successful, but at a high price.

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Ultimate Spider-Man #160 Read More »

Princess of Thieves

/ / Home Video
  • Title: Princess of Thieves
  • IMDB: link

princess-of-thievesWhen I learned there was a Robin Hood movie out there I hadn’t seen that starred Keira Knightley I knew I had to track it down. Princess of Thieves isn’t the most original tale of a headstrong young girl showing her father she can stand on her own, but it does provide its share of moments.

The film didn’t have the biggest budget (it was a made-for-TV project which premiered on The Wonderful World of Disney), but in look and style (if not writing) it compares favorably to similar projects including the recent Robin Hood BBC series.

The film centers around the daughter of Robin Hood (Stuart Wilson) and Marian (Hannah Cresswell) who has grown estranged from her father, whom she sees rarely. When news reaches that Richard the Lionheart is dying the king sends his chosen heir, his only son Phillip (Stephen Moyer), into Robin Hood’s keeping and away from the treacherous plans of Prince John (Jonathan Hyde).

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Princess of Thieves Read More »