3.5 Razors

Checkmate #2

/ / Comics

Checkmate #2 comic reviewThe six-issue mini-series continues as Brian Michael Bendis and artist Alex Maleev remind us that Talia al Ghul can be a hell of a character when put in the hands of the right creative team as Leviathan’s captive starts causing trouble for the cabal. (Although I’m not quite sure where the Damian part of the plotline is going). She’s not the only female highlighted here, as Lois Lane‘s investigation into Leviathan’s actions leads her to being kidnapped by the group leading to an inevitable showdown.

Speaking of Superman, although the Man of Steel is given only a cameo here, the second issue of the series has some fun exploring Mark Shaw‘s obsession with the Kryptonian and his struggle to bring the hero over to his side. So far things aren’t going all that well on that front and I don’t know that kidnapping his wife will help matters.

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Leverage: Redemption – The Rollin’ on the River Job

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: Leverage: Redemption – The Rollin’ on the River Job
  • IMDb: link

Leverage: Redemption - The Rollin' on the River Job TV review

While she proved helpful in the previous episode, “The Rollin’ on the River Job” works as Hardison‘s (Aldis Hodge) foster sister Breanna Casey’s (Aleyse Shannon) first job with the team as their new hacker. She quickly discovers filling her brother’s shoes is easier said than done (especially given the team’s unreasonable expectations and demands). The team targets a greedy riverboat owner (Piter Marek) forcing out locals in New Orleans to build for the expansion of his new casino. Targeting both the man’s greed and competitive nature by creating the illusion of another potential casino headed into area, the team also works in several unknown extras (obviously part of the larger Leverage team developed over the years, none of whom get introduced here) to rig the games in his casino making it unable for him to pay-out in front of a representative (Bernard Hocke) from the gaming commission. It’s a solid con with some nice twists and even includes an old-school safe-cracking scene.

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G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero #284

/ / Comics

G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero #284 comic reviewPart 4 of “Murder by Assassination” sends the Joes to Southeast Asia in search of the Cobra operative known only as Al Kawbra. The team on the ground consists of Chuckles, Sherlock, Lady Jaye, Multo, Black Hat, and Roadblock. Despite Sherlock’s first-rate tracking and deduction, the Joes are consistently one-step behind their prey who enjoys leaving explosive presents for them.

Most of the story comes from the Joes on the hunt, although we do get some panels from the perspective of Al Kawbra continuing to elude capture and make his escape with the deadly warheads (whose destination remains a mystery from our heroes).

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G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero #284 Read More »

Superman & Lois – Fail Safe

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: Superman & Lois – Fail Safe
  • wiki: link

Superman & Lois - Fail Safe television review

With Smallville still reeling from the machinations of Morgan Edge (Adam Rayner), the Kent boys ditch some school for cute girls, Lois (Elizabeth Tulloch) has a crisis of faith over hiding the details of Edge’s plans to keep her family’s secrets safe, and the Lang family continues to feel the backlash of their friends and neighbors who appear all too willing to lay the blame of recent events at their feet. “Fail Safe” is a mostly transitionary episode focusing on bringing the troubles of Smallville to light while getting its name from Superman (Tyler Hoechlin) suggesting Project 7334 should continue as the world needs protection from its greatest hero if something like this happens again (something his wife is less than pleased with).

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Leverage: Redemption – The Panamanian Monkey Job

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: Leverage: Redemption – The Panamanian Monkey Job
  • IMDb: link

Leverage: Redemption - The Panamanian Monkey Job television review

The team follows Fletcher Maxwell (Reed Diamond) to Panama in the second episode to stop their mark from accessing family funds kept in a private bank catering to unscrupulous clients. Since the bad guy remains the same, “The Panamanian Monkey Job” doesn’t require as much time in the way of setup. Instead that time is used to introduce the show’s other new cast member in Hardison‘s (Aldis Hodge) foster sister Breanna Casey (Aleyse Shannon) who will take over for Hardison as the team’s new hacker with Hodge’s exit due to other contractual responsibilities. The episode offers up the idea that the work Hardison does outside the team is more needed than being present on their individual jobs while leaving Breanna in the hands of Parker (Beth Riesgraf).

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