2 Razors

Battlestar Galactica #1

/ / Comics

Battlestar Galactica #1With Battlestar Galactica #1 Dynamite Entertainment launches a new comic series based on the original late ’70’s sci-fi series. This means we get the classic versions of the characters, the original Colonial uniforms (including those kick ass jackets I’d kill for), and the design of the original Cylons.

As a fan of the original series I was cautiously hopeful, but despite a kick-ass cover from Alex Ross and a completely insane plot about Temporal Weapons (missiles used to make enemy starships disappear from existence), the first issue is a bit of a disappointment.

The art by Cezar Rezak isn’t bad but certainly doesn’t do much to make a story that’s focused mostly on explaining the basics of the classic storyline for new readers all that interesting. And despite the absurdity of time missiles, the plot to this first issue by co-writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning feels sluggish and even, at times, uninspired. As much as I’d like to give this title time, there’s not much here to prompt me to pick up next month’s issue. Pass.

[Dynamite Entertainment, $3.99]

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Red Hood and the Outlaws #20

/ / Comics

Red Hood and the Outlaws #20Red Hood and the Outlaws #20 picks up with Starfire and Arsenal trying to convince the magic monk who has wiped Jason Todd‘s mind clean to return his friend’s lifetime of horrible memories, whether he wants them or not. The question of whether or not we are more than the sum of our memories and whether bad memories are better than none at all is debated as it appears the New 52 editorial staff have decided what’s best for Red Hood is a clean slate.

We get flashbacks into Roy Harper’s first meeting with Jason Todd as well as the revelation that Starfire’s short-memory has been largely exaggerated (which should quiet some of the critics for this version of the character). I don’t like the idea of taking such a drastic step with the character after the hard road to redemption Jason Todd earned.

Whether or not it’s good for the character, or for the New 52, we’ll have to wait and see, but my initial reaction is this is an easy choice for DC Comics to give the character a completely new direction while thumbing their noses a decades of history. Well, this is the New 52. Pass.

[DC, $2.99]

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Transformers: Regeneration One #91

/ / Comics

Transformers: Regeneration One #91In a story arc that’s offered us Grimlock, Starscream, and Shockwave, and teased of the first showdown between Optimus Prime and Galvatron, the latest issue of Transformers: Regeneration One is something of a disappointment as it deals with the fallout of Scorponok‘s plan to release the “Warrior Gene” and turn all the Autobots into Decepticons (yeah, I know exactly how dumb that sounds).

Transformers: Regeneration One #91 primarily deals with the Autobots on Cybertron facing their own actions now that the Gene has been turned off and blaming Hot Rod‘s leadership for the entire misadventure, especially as he was deep inside Cyberton learning more about Primus and the primordial Transformers while this was going on.

Although the issue does have appearances by Soundwave and Prowl, and gives us the Dinobots willing to work with Hot Rod to return to the center of Cybertron in search of their fallen leader, it centers around the comic’s most ridiculous storline leading to mixed results. Pass.

[IDW, $3.99]

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Batman and Red Hood #20

/ / Comics

Batman and Red Hood #20How can a comic that starts off so well end in the kind of trainwreck that will damage two of DC’s Bat-books for months to come? The latest issue of Batman and… gives us a team-up of a more brutal Batman than we’ve seen in a while with Red Hood who has finally found some peace with his mentor after the fallout of mostly wretched Death of the Family.

The only good thing to come out of Death of the Family was bringing Jason Todd back into the fold. Well, that was short lived. When Batman tries to force Jason to face his death and resurrection, hoping for clues to do the same to Damian, the hard earned respect between the characters is thrown away in a handful of panels (perhaps for good).

Although I think Todd overreacts to Batman’s grief, the result is to push yet another member of the Bat-Family further from the Dark Knight Detective. Batman and Red Hood #20 also offers another appearance by Carrie Kelley looking for Damian, teasing that she’s not going away anytime soon. Pass.

[DC, $2.99]

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Bon Jovi – What About Now

/ / Music News & Reviews

Bon Jovi are certainly looking and feeling their age in the video for “What About Now,” the title track off the New Jersey band’s twelfth studio album. From the band that rocked my childhood, the song isn’t so much bad as tired and instantly forgettable. For those interested, you can currently listen to the rest of the album on SoundCloud.

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