3.5 Razors

Birds of Prey #11

/ / Comics

birds-of-prey-11-coverSince it’s relaunch I’ve had mixed feelings with Birds of Prey. When compared to writer Gail Simone’s other major title I’ve always preferred Secret Six. Until now. Of course, the fact that the entire issue revolves around Catman may have something to do with that.

The issue is centered around the Huntress and Catman reconnecting, and spending the night together working to track down a small gang of thieves. The mutual attraction we saw back in the previous volume of Birds of Prey is still present, as are Helena’s growing concerns with the changes to Thomas Blake.

The story’s climax is more convoluted than I’d like, but I actually like this pair together. It’s also nice to see the screwed-up but still noble side of Catman that’s been missing since before the storyline involving the kidnapping his son. I also quite enjoyed the final conversation between Catman and Deadshot. Their friendship (something else I’ve been missing from Secret Six lately), definitely deserves more page time. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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Justice League: Generation Lost #23

/ / Comics

generation-lost-23-coverBatman has rejoined the team, they’ve finally found Wonder Woman… and all hell has just broken loose. Maxwell Lord has begun his endgame by releasing the OMAC Prime with one purpose: to kill Wonder Woman.

As super-evil-mastermind-plans go it’s a little anti-climactic, but there’s plenty of action this time around as Max has used the JLI once again to his own ends. Now he’s located Wonder Woman and only the former Justice Leaguers stand in his way to completing his revenge.

This still leaves quite a bit to be taken care of in the maxi-series’ extra-sized finale including 99.9% of the world’s heroes not knowing who Maxwell Lord is, oh, and saving Wonder Woman, too.

However this ends, and I feel pretty safe in assuming Wonder Woman isn’t going to die, writer Judd Winick has given us a DC year-long event I really enjoyed. I’m going to be sorry when this one’s over. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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Batgirl #20

/ / Comics

batgirl-20-coverThis issue marks the end of “Team Batgirl” as we’ve known it. Oracle pulls back, trusting that Stephanie Brown and Proxy can stand on their own and take down Slipstream and solve the mystery of the Reapers.

I understand the idea of Barabara stepping away to let Steph stand on her own two feet, but I have to say I’m disappointed that the relationship between the two Batgirls, which has been central to the comic’s success, seems to be going away.

On the positive side, we do get a good wrap up to “The Lesson: Tunnel Vision” and Stephanie learns she can stand on her own without relying on Oracle. Good for her, but is it wrong of me to still want her to?

Even if the central relationship to the comic seems to be going away, it’s tongue-in-cheek humor is still very much in display here (including an impatient Steph struggling to get through class). Batgirl also creates some new super-duper Batarangs and takes her new ride, “The Compact,” out on its first mission. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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Win Win

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

win-win-posterWin Win is writer/director Thomas McCarthy‘s weakest effort. Now that might sound bad, but only until you realize the man has put together a pretty impressive resume so far.

McCarthy both wrote and directed The Visitor and The Station Agent, as well as penning the original story Pixar’s Up was based on. That’s a pretty high mark to live up to, and so I can forgive him if his latest is only a very solid indie flick rather than hands down one of the best films of the year.

Paul Giamatti, in the kind of role he’s known for in indie flicks like this, plays lovable loser Mike Flaherty. Mike is a struggling attorney in a small town who helps make ends meet by moonlighting as the wrestling coach for the local high school. He’s also dealing with financial problems, stress attacks, and a kind, but needy, elderly client (Burt Young) – all of which he’s trying to keep from wife (Amy Ryan) and children (Clare Foley, Sophia Kindred).

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Teen Titans #93

/ / Comics

teen-titans-93-coverThe Red Robin era gets started as Tim Drake takes over the leadership duties of the team and the Teen Titans take a trip to Pakistan to help out a friend of Wonder Girl. The parents of Solstice have been taken by a demon, and its up to the Titans to get them back.

There’s quite a bit going on in this issue including a couple of members chaffing under the team’s new leadership (we’ll have to wait to find out what Ravager‘s issues with Red Robin are), the introduction of a new character who seems to be slotted in as a potential new team member, and the stark differences between Solstice and Raven.

The action itself isn’t all that special, but the interplay between characters and emotions of the team’s shakeup work quite well. I’m glad the team has its leader back, and even if their first test isn’t something I’d choose, it’s still a good beginning. It also doesn’t hurt that we get another issue drawn in the clean, sleek and vibrant style of Nicola Scott. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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