2.5 Razors

Batman #0

/ / Comics

batman-new-52-0-coverAlthough the stories presented in Batman #0 work fine independently (even if the writing seems to be hand-holding the audience far more than necessary) the timeline makes absolutely no sense. In the first story, set six years prior to the present New 52 DCU, we see Bruce Wayne‘s early days after his travels working on becoming a vigilante before becoming Batman. And that’s only the beginning.

The back-up story jumps one year in the future and gives us the all three Robins (Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, and Tim Drake) in the early days of Batman before the Dark Knight had chosen a partner. Not only does the tale suggest all three are roughly the same age (an enormous change in Batman continuity) but it presents Jason, who is an accomplice to murder, as the most likable and least brash of the trio.

To tie the two stories together we get a Red Hood Gang which feels more than a little trite and appearances by Jim Gordon. The second story also gives us the origin of the Bat-Signal and the first glimmer of Batgirl.

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Worlds’ Finest #0

/ / Comics

worlds-finest-0-coverIt’s kind of ridiculous to do a zero issue for a title that’s been around for four months, especially one that’s spent as much time as Worlds’ Finest (about half the pages of each issue) filling in the characters’ pasts.

The main problem with Worlds’ Finest #0 is how rushed everything feels. We get Helena‘s first adventure as Robin, the death of her mother (Catwoman), her first meeting with Kara, and the pair becoming super best friends forever all in a few pages. Things aren’t helped by some of writer Paul Levitz’s awkward dialogue (such as Helena’s final words to her new best friend).

Some may not like the art by Kevin Maguire but I think it’s one of the issue’s saving graces (although I’m not of fan of his Catwoman design) along with the Kara story which is given far less time but is much tighter than the rambling main story with Helena. Worlds’ Finest #0 isn’t a bad issue as much as an unnecessary one with a couple of good moments. Hit-and-miss.

[DC, $2.99]

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #13

/ / Comics

tmnt-8-coverI’ve been very happy with the IDW’s new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, which makes this month’s issue all that more perplexing. The biggest difference is Andy Kuhn, and his far rougher style, stepping in for artist Dan Duncan who, until now, had done the art for every issue of the series. Although I prefer the art from the original Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird run I had grown accustomed to Duncan’s style. The difference in the book’s look is striking, and not in a good way.

Also problematic is how much exposition and plot summarization of the comic up until this point is passed off as attempts at natural dialogue. I assume the idea was to use the issue to help get readers up to speed who reading the title for the first time, but the effect doesn’t do the actual story any favors.

The main story points have to do with the Turtles killing time after saving Splinter while The Shredder (who is drawn for the first time with pupils instead of zombie eyes) finds only disapproval with his granddaughter Karai. There’s also the return of the subplot of Casey Jones and his abusive father. For fans.

[IDW, $3.99]

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Green Lantern #12

/ / Comics

green-lantern-new-52-12-coverAs Hal Jordan and Sinestro fight off Black Hand and his army of raised zombies the Guardians of the Universe continue their plans to raise the “Third Army” which will destroy the various Lantern Corps including the Green Lanterns.

If you’ve been missing zombies since Blackest Night ended this issue is for you. Howver, if you were thankful that Blackest Night ended and hoped never to see the Black Lanterns again (like me) then there’s little worth noting except for the what is teased to happen in the coming months including (God help us) Hal Jordan becoming a Black Lantern.

The main story between Jordan and Sinestro and the zombies isn’t all that interesting, and the reveal of the Book of Black’s prophecy is troubling if that’s Geoff Johns’ plan for the character. Sligthly more interesting is the Guardians plans for the other Green Lanterns of Earth who have been singled out as their biggest obstacle to removing the Corps. The choice of Renato Guedes to replace Doug Mahnke‘s art on the title also means the comic has a less crisp look and feel than the previous issues of the title. Hit-and-Miss.

[DC, $2.99]

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ParaNorman

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: ParaNorman
  • IMDB: link

paranorman-posterParaNorman is a creepy kids film with a nice message delivered with about as much subtlety as a kick to the groin. Written and co-directed by Chris Butler, ParaNorman takes a simple premise about a boy who can see dead people and a town under a witch’s curse, and weighs it down with heavy issues and themes such as the effects of bullying and mob rule. Although Butler never loses the audience, he lacks the skill to continually keep the film interesting and entertaining while at the same time beating the audience over the head with its message.

The film, after a terrific opening having fun with late night horror movie tropes, opens by introducing the social outcast of the small New England town of Blythe’s Hollow – Norman Babcock (Kodi Smit-McPhee). Norman has the ability to see and talk with the dead, which of course no one including his parents (Casey Affleck, Leslie Mann), the local bully (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), or generic teenage sister (Anna Kendrick) believes.

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