3.5 Razors

Batman and Robin #18

/ / Comics

Batman and Robin #18Following the events of Batman Incorporated #8, writer Peter J. Tomasi and artist Patrick Gleason offer us this silent issue of the Dark Knight quietly dealing with the death of his son Damian. Even without a single word spoken (or even showing up in an old fashioned thought balloon) Batman and Robin #18 is the first of the “Requiem” crossovers to focus on the fallout of Robin’s death (and not just stick it in as a B-story).

Although Gleason offers several strong splash pages, some of the smaller individual panels of Batman out and about in Gotham aren’t quite as strong. This is certainly a comic that would have been better off to showcase more than one artist to carry so much of the weight of the storytelling.

On one hand, the issue puts Damian’s loss at the forefront and showcases the toll it’s taking on Batman. On the other hand it’s still a bit of a cheat as the hard but necessary conversations after such an event have still yet to take place. However, the set-up certainly makes the only words we do see, Damian’s final message to his father, certainly have a greater impact. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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Fairest #13

/ / Comics

Fairest #13“The Hidden Kingdom” concludes with Rapunzel in full control of her bezoars and a war brewing on the streets of Tokyo between two sets of Fables. Not only does Fairest #13 resolve the dispute between the two groups, it also allows Rapunzel to keep a promise to her old lover Tomoko and return her Foxfire (despite Tomko’s attempts to control and kill Rapunzel in this very arc).

We still don’t know what happened to Rapunzel’s actual children, although we do learn that Frau Totenkinder does indeed know their fate (but, despite what her daughter believes, may not actually be responsible for their kidnapping). And I’ll admit I would have liked to see Rapunzel stay with Tomoko rather than return to Fabletown with Joel Crow, but as the saying goes you can’t go home again.

I enjoyed Rapunzel’s story, and hope to see more of her in the future, but I’m glad to see this story arc wrapped up here and move on to something new. The tone of the last couple issues took a darker turn than I was expecting, and, although it works, I’m hoping for a little more wacky fun with Bill Willingham‘s return next issue. Worth a look.

[Vertigo, $2.99]

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Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman

/ / Home Video
  • Title: Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman
  • IMDB: link

Batman: Mystery of the BatwomanBatman: Mystery of the Batwoman was the third and final straight-to-DVD animated film put out by Warner Bros. Animation following the cancellation of Batman: The Animated Series (Mask of the Phantasm doesn’t fit into this group as it was made a decade earlier and saw a limited theatrical release). The movie keeps the Bruce Timm style of the series as well as most of the show’s regular voice cast including Kevin Conroy returning as the voice of Batman.

The show returns familiar villains the Penguin (David Ogden Stiers) and Rupert Thorne (John Vernon) as well as introducing mid-level gangster Carlton Duquesne (Kevin Michael Richardson) and his impetuous daughter Kathy (Kimberly Brooks), who acts as Bruce Wayne’s love interest for the movie. The movie also introduces a new version of Batwoman (Kyra Sedgwick) who uses lethal force to stop Penguin and Thorne’s illegal arm sales leading her into confrontation with Batman.

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Pretty Little Liars – I’m Your Puppet

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: Pretty Little Liars – I’m Your Puppet
  • wiki: link

Pretty Little Liars - I'm Your Puppet

With Spencer (Troian Bellisario) psychiatric’s hold finally complete Aria (Lucy Hale), Hanna (Ashley Benson), and Emily (Shay Mitchell) head to Radley to talk with their friend for the first time since her meltdown in the woods. Despite delivering the news that the police found a body in the woods which isn’t Toby (Keegan Allen), the Liars are unable to convince Spencer, who looks far too at home in the mental institution for their liking, that she might be mistaken about what she saw that night that earned her the one-way trip to the looney bin. While stuck in the asylum Spencer learns more about Alison (Sasha Pieterse) hiding her own secrets in the days leading up to her death while continuing to investigate and retrace Mona‘s (Janel Parrish) steps during her time in Radley.

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Pretty Little Liars – I’m Your Puppet Read More »

47 Ronin #3

/ / Comics

47 Ronin #3Writer Mike Richardson and artist Stan Sakai’s retelling of the classic Japanese legend continues as the loyal samurai to Lord Asano learn about the seizure of his lands and make plans to set things right by their lord’s widow and restore his honor.

The samurai agree not to fight the forces who show up to claim the lands for the man responsible for their lord’s death. Instead they scatter as ronin and wait in secret, first for news that the petition to the Emperor has been successful, and when that fails to continue to wait and prepare to strike back and get revenge for Asano.

Three issues in 47 Ronin is still quite a bit of politics and set-up without delivering much action. That said, the story is well told and I’m willing to read anything drawn by Sakai (although I prefer it to center around a rabbit with a samurai sword). Worth a look.

[Dark Horse, $3.99]

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