3.5 Razors

All-Star Superman

/ / Home Video
  • Title: All-Star Superman
  • IMDb: link

Based on the comic of the same name by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely All-Star Superman gives us the world’s first super-hero in his final days. Lex Luthor (Anthony LaPaglia) has finally won. He’s found a way to slowly kill the Man of Steel, but the last son of Krypton isn’t going to go away quietly.

The movie begins with Superman‘s (James Denton) overexposure to the Sun’s radiation and follows a series of adventures in his final days including fighting with the Parasite, dealing with newly arrived survivors of Krypton, and finally admiring the truth to Lois Lane (Christina Hendricks).

The straight-to-DVD film is a good adaptation of the original series, but does make some changes to the story. We don’t get Jimmy Olsen / Doomsday story or Superman’s adventure to Bizarro World, and Krypto, sadly, finds himself on the cuttting-room floor as well.

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Supergirl #61

/ / Comics

supergirl-61-coverBetter watch out Damian, you wouldn’t want Red Robin to find out you got saved by Supergirl. Although I’m still on the fence with Bernard Chang’s art, I’m always glad to see a team-up with Supergirl and Robin. I can hardly wait until Batgirl gets brought in to this story arc and the fun can really begin.

After fighting off her own gang of super-villains, who appear and disappear without a trace, Kara travels to Gotham to save Robin from the same fate. And if that’s not enough for you there’s a touching (if slightly forced) moment between Lois Lane and Supergirl that goes further in validating Kara than any super-villain knockdown ever could.

There are a couple of nagging issues here (the most obvious being the continuity issue surrounding Blue Beetle‘s involvement in this story), but it is FUN and a far cry from the dreary story arcs the character was stuck in just a few months ago. Definitely worth a look.

[DC $2.99]

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Red Robin #20

/ / Comics

red-robin-20-coverEnter the Catman. The first issue of a two-part crossover with Teen Titans begins here as Red Robin battles with Catman who has been hired by the Calculator to keep the hero out of the ubernet. His solution is simple, and deadly – he puts Tam Fox in danger.

I’ve got to say any comic can be helped by a little Catman, and the fight between the two is pretty good. I’m also glad to see how seriously Drake takes a threat like Thomas Blake. You’ve come a long way, baby (thank you Gail Simone!).

That said, the best part of this issue is the second-half where Red Robin reconnects with the Teen Titans (and Damian). The Empire Strike Back reunion scene is pretty good, as is the chemistry between Drake and his former teammates is enjoyable as well as telling on how much Drake has grown into his own character. Now if they can just survive the daunting task of taking out Calculator’s base of operation protected by an army of robots made in his own image. (I wonder if he calls them Doombots?) Definitely worth a look.

[DC $2.99]

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Fables are Forever (Part One)

/ / Comics

cinderella-fables-are-forever-1-coverI’ve never really gotten into Bill Winnington‘s Fables series which sets various characters from fairy tales and folklore into the Vertigo Universe. This new six-issue mini-series from writer Chris Roberson centers around what might be the most accessable character for those unfamiliar to start with – Cinderella.

In the Fables universe Cinderella is Prince Charming’s third wife and the world’s best secret-agent. A girzzly murder and the calling card of an assassin from Cinderella’s past sends her on a mission to Russia in search of a woman she believed was long dead.

I’ve got to mention the cover by Chrissie Zullo which immediately caught my eye and proved to be the deciding factor in picking up this issue. And I’m glad I did. This super-spy version of Cinderella is an intriguing take on the classic character, and one I wouldn’t mind spending a few issues getting to know better.

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Batgirl #18

/ / Comics

batgirl-18-coverHere’s something you may have not known: Stephanie Brown tastes like Christmas. Not surprising mind you, just food for thought. This Valentine’s issue pairing of Batgirl and Klarion the Witch Boy out to stop his familiar from a murder spree while it searches for true love isn’t exactly you average Batgirl tale. It’s not every day our heroine finds herself shrunk and trapped in a magic snow globe.

What works here is how Stephanie Brown is immediately put on the defensive by dealing with a magic user – not something that comes up regularly in her patrols on the streets of Gotham. Still, Stephanie adapts and agrees to help the Witch Boy after Klarion returns her to normal size (dashing her dream of fighting lice alongside the Atom in what would surely be an epic team-up).

Of course this includes dimension jumping, trying to prevent herself from being burned at the stake, fighting off a Witch Boy’s cat (which turns out to be a man-sized vicious were-cat), and even kissing Witch Boy in front of her friends. Weird, but also worth a look.

[DC $2.99]

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