2.5 Razors

Red Robin #15

/ / Comics

red-robin-15-coverTim Drake‘s been shot! Or has he? Plenty of twists and turns have been packed into “The Assassination of Tim Drake.” Although I like the idea of showcasing how far Drake will go to protect his legacy I do take some issue with a storyline that has him pretending to be severely injured by a gunshot in an issue that mentions, but doesn’t include, Barbara Gordon. It’s just a little…unseemly.

I’m assuming Babs will weigh-in on this elaborate plan to throw Vicki Vale off the scent of the Bat-family, and I’m hopeful that the moment will be given the time and weight it deserves. At the same time, if he had weighed the effect of such a plan on one of his closest allies and went forward anyway, it does help push Red Robin further into a morally ambiguous gray area which should give plenty of opportunities for new stories. Hit-and-Miss.

[DC $2.99]

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Birds of Prey #2

/ / Comics

birds-of-prey-2

The plot behind the mysterious assassin deepens as the Birds find themselves on the run from a foe who knows their secrets, is at least two-steps ahead, and is able to make everyone dance to the song they have decided to play. I have faith in writer Gail Simone, but I’m a little concerned with where the story is heading, the near omniscience of their opponent, and the long list of repercussions the book will have to deal with (perhaps for years) unless Oracle and her crew mount a comeback, quickly. Although I wasn’t a big fan of either Savant or Creote they deserve a better fate than they’re given here. Hit-and-Miss.

[DC $2.99]

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Batman #700

/ / Comics

batman-700-coverIt’s funny how many of Grant Morrison’s stories come with that caveat. For Batman’s #700 issue Morrison gives us a scientist, the Joker’s myserious joke book, and a “maybe machine” that can alter time. And yes, that’s the dumbest name for a time travel invention ever.

Story one involves Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson in an adventure from their earlier years. The story continues in the current continuity and in the future with Damian as Batman. There are short glimpses of the future involving Terry McGinnis as the Dark Knight and beyond.

What’s so interesting is in an attempt to give us an epic Batman story what Morrison hasn’t given us a Batman story at all. He’s given us a Matt Wagner story instead. It seems much like Grendel the shadow of the bat will continue across time in dystopian futures and beyond.

Is it worth picking up? For big-time Bat-fans, yes. For everyone else, probably not. The time mystery isn’t that interesting and of all the stories here only the current version of Batman and Robin is told all that well. Hit-and-Miss.

[DC, $4.99]

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Wax on, wax off (again)

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: The Karate Kid (2010)
  • IMDB: link

In 1984, director John G. Avildsen and writer Robert Mark Kamen presented the world with a coming-of-age story about young high school student named Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) who moved to California and learned karate from kindly handyman Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita).

The Karate Kid was a hit and cultural touchstone for anyone who grew up in the 80’s. It produced two sequels (and a third with Hilary Swank replacing Macchio), an animated series, a videogame for the NES, and countless merchandise. It also introduced the world to Elizabeth Shue, earned Morita a best supporting actor nomination, and forever cemented William Zabka (Johnny) in the minds of millions as a total dick.

…

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Serenity: Float Out

/ / Comics

serenity-float-out-coverWe finally get a post-Serenity comic (something I’ve been waiting for). And it’s written by…Patton Oswalt? Wait, what?

The entire comic seems ill-conceived. We’re given a memorial and flashbacks by characters we haven’t seen before (and couldn’t give two shits about) for a character that’s been dead for five years. If you wait that long to honor someone like Wash you better do it in style (and not a completely forgettable throwaway comic like this).

The art of Patric Reynolds doesn’t help either. The ships look fine, but the characters looked rush, blurred, and half-assed. A comic with a strong story can sometimes overcome bad art (and vice-versa), but when they both are unremarkable you end up with a turd like this. Oswalt is a funny guy and should stick to what he knows. We have enough mediocre comic book writers.

[Dark Horse $3.50]

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