If I Rebooted the DCU (Part One)

/ / Top Tens & Lists

In a couple of weeks DC Comics will be rebooting their entire universe with 52 new first issues. Some of the new comics intrigue me, but quite a few do not. This starting me thinking, what if I rebooted the DCU?

To keep each post a reasonable length, and to mirror DC’s own announcement structure, I’ve split the reboot into four posts each covering 13 issues. Where I could I kept ideas DC wanted to explore in the relaunch (when not incredibly stupid like Voodoo), and even included titles I’m personally not all that high on but characters I know have a devoted fan base. You’ll find I’ve also kept far more of the current titles than DC’s proposed reboot, and brought back a few personal favorites as well.

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If I Rebooted the DCU (Part One) Read More »

Morning Glories #11

/ / Comics

morning-glories-11-coverFollowing the recent trend to spend each issue focusing on a single character the latest issue of Morning Glories showcases Ike, the weaselly member of the group who has already betrayed the other new arrivals for a cushy new room an all kinds of special perks. Now Mr. Gribbs has another tempting offer for Ike: He will be allowed to leave the school just by doing it a small favor.

Much like the previous issues focused on the other members of the group we get plenty of flashbacks into Ike’s life including the aftermath of a murder he committed, being charged with the murder of his father, showing up drunk on a party bus at his father’s funeral, and acting like a real douche to the members of the board when he takes control of his father’s company.

The entire issue is centered around temptation. First Ike is offered his freedom by Gribbs, and then more amorous pursuits by Ms. Daramount, and all he has to do is commit one simple murder. However, in true Morning Glories style, the issue gives us a final twist when Ike learns the identity of his intending victim. Worth a look.

[Image, $2.99]

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Red Robin #26

/ / Comics

red-robin-26-coverIt’s all lead up until this moment where Tim Drake decides what kind of a hero, and what kind of a man, he wants to be. He’s taken on Ra’s al Ghul and the League of Assassins, an evil Internet, Catman, and even had time for a little romance, but nothing has prepared him for what happens next. Red Robin comes face-to-face with Captain Boomerang, the man who murdered his father.

In a logical manner Tim has left breadcrumbs for Captain Boomerang to follow, with each selfish decision further closing the noose around his neck and putting him in harm’s way. Red Robin actually carefully orchestrated Boomerang’s death at the hands of Mr. Freeze, only to have second thoughts at the last minute, deciding he needs to do the job himself.

In the end Red Robin can neither allow Mr. Freeze or himself to kill Captain Boomerang. He skates a thin line but still comes out the hero. The issue ends with short conversations with Dick Grayson and Batman receptively, which showcase how closely each was watching Tim’s methods.

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Red Robin #26 Read More »

Listen to three tracks from Muppets: The Green Album

/ / Music News & Reviews

To coincide with The Muppets Disney is set to release a new soundtrack of Muppet favorites entitled Muppets: The Green Album. Along with My Morning Jacket covering “Our World” (from Emmett Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas), Andrew Bird‘s version of “It’s Not Easy Being Green” and OK Go doing their version of The Muppet Show Theme Song (all of which you can listen to after the jump), the album also includes The Fray doing “Mahna Mahna,” Rachael Yamagata covering “I’m Going to Go Back There Someday” (Gonzo’s song from The Muppet Movie), Alkaline Trio doing “Movin’ Right Along,” Matt Nathanson with “I Hope That Something Better Comes Along,” and Weezer covering “Rainbow Conenction.” The album hits stores next Tuesday.

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Listen to three tracks from Muppets: The Green Album Read More »

Birds of Prey #15

/ / Comics

birds-of-prey-15-coverWhile Gail Simone‘s Secret Six has been consistently good, this run of Birds of Prey is best described as a shadow of its former self. Part of the blame has to go Brightest Day which saddled the team with a pair of members (Hawk and Dove) who never really meshed with the group, but although this volume has had its flashes (such as the Catman and Huntress issue) it has seemed in need of major tweaking for awhile now.

I was surprised that Simone wasn’t on hand to do the final two-issue adventure, but writer Marc Andreyko does manage to breathe a little life back into the book (with absence of Hawk and Dove), even if the story itself, involving a Nazi scientist, clones, and mental displacement, is pretty lame.

That said, the issue is an improvement over part one and does have some nice moments between Zinda Blake and the Phantom Lady. I also thought Manhunter worked pretty well with the team. Is it a great finale? No, not really, but for a comic that has struggled to live up to its own legacy (and struggles here without its trademark writer) it’s about what I expected. Hit-and-Miss.

[DC, $2.99]

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