3 Razors

Batgirl #39

/ / Comics

Batgirl #39The “who is Batgirl” storyline seemingly wrapped up a couple months ago continues in Batgirl #39. The quick revamp of the character with spiffy new costume and younger feel got me interesting in Barbara Gordon once again but my interest is already beginning to wane. Although they finally make-up at the end of the issue, Batgirl #39 continues Black Canary‘s role as pretty much the worst friend ever as she completely abandons Babs once again in her time of need as my opinion of the New 52 version of Dinah Lance continues to sour with little relief in sight.

The latest issue does introduce an unexpected villain behind the town of Burnside turning on Batgirl as Barbara finally makes a connection between her computer code and recent memory lapses. I’m not sure I buy the final panel’s tease of who is responsible, but at least it feels like the comic is leading somewhere new.

Once again the art of Babs Tarr is the highlight of the issue, but the style and look of the series in and of themselves can’t hide the fact that better storytelling is needed. For fans.

[DC, $2.99]

Batgirl #39 Read More »

Allegiance – Pilot / Teamwork

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: Allegiance – Pilot / Teamwork
  • IMDb: link, link

Allegiance - Pilot / Teamwork

The first two episode of NBC’s new spy series Allegiance set-up the post-Cold War intrigue, characters, and main conflict of the series. Gavin Stenhouse stars as CIA Analyst Alex O’Connor whose unusual personality and vast knowledge are quickly raising him up the ranks of the agency. Called in to investigate the story of a potential SVR defector (Sofiya Akilova), Alex quickly discovers the truth of the woman’s claims that a former SVR/KGB agent was killed in the United States to hide the details of a massive operation the group has planned in the very near future.

…

Allegiance – Pilot / TeamworkRead More »

Allegiance – Pilot / Teamwork Read More »

Backstrom – I Am a Bird Now

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: Backstrom – I Am a Bird Now
  • wiki: link

“I’m declaring this a hate crime against the gays.”

Backstrom - I Am a Bird Now

After suffering panic attack that bought him a momentary reprieve from the Civilian Oversight Panel, Backstrom (Rainn Wilson) immediately classifies the murder of a drag queen as a hate crime allowing him to avoid giving testimony until the case is officially concluded. Given its coincidence Amy (Sarah Chalke) questions the validity of what appeared to be Backstrom having a heart attack in the middle of his testimony, but with the set-up the show has done over its first few episodes we know about the tenuous health of its leading character (whether or not he acknowledges it or not).

…

Backstrom – I Am a Bird NowRead More »

Backstrom – I Am a Bird Now Read More »

All-New X-Men #36

/ / Comics

All-New X-Men #36The time-displaced X-Men’s adventure in the Marvel Ultimate Universe comes to a close as the two teams work together to take down their version of Doctor Doom. This also (rather coincidentally) leads to the return of the young mutant who has been jumping through realities unable to find her way home (at least until she gets the right kind of help).

Like most of Marvel’s current multi-issue arcs the storyline dragged far longer than necessary to properly fill the inevitable graphic novel trade paperpback. That said, even if it is two issues too late, the conclusion to the arc does offer some fun moments including the Beast‘s explosive revenge against Doctor Doom, Miles Morales getting a proper thank you from Jean Grey, and both teams being annoyed by the wisecracking of not one but two versions of Iceman.

The issue is really a microcosm of the entire arc in that it includes some fun moments but never quite lives up to the promise of its premise ultimately offering a mostly forgettable adventure. For fans.

[Marvel, $3.99] …

All-New X-Men #36Read More »

All-New X-Men #36 Read More »

Scorpion – Love Boat

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: Scorpion – Love Boat
  • wiki: link

Scorpion - Love Boat

In an episode that plays on love and Valentine’s Day, Agent Gallo (Robert Patrick) enlists the help of Walter (Elyes Gabel) and his team when a group of terrorists prepare to smuggle stolen rocket launchers out of the country on a luxury cruise ship. Hoping the team can reprogram the devices to make them not only inoperable but traceable the plan calls for Walter, Cabe, Sylvester (Ari Stidham), and Paige (Katharine McPhee) all to be off the boat well before it sets sail. Things don’t go exactly as planned.

…

Scorpion – Love BoatRead More »

Scorpion – Love Boat Read More »