4.5 Razors

Astro City #1

/ / Comics

Astro City #1It’s been three years since co-creators Kurt Busiek and Brent Anderson have given us a new issue of Astro City, the series that (much like Planetary) focused on re-imagining of several comic characters while examining how normal people coexist and react to them. With the folding of DC’s WildStorm print, the many character from Busiek and Anderson’s universe find themselves a new home at Vertigo with the start of a new series that includes faces both old as new, and Astro City’s first contact with an alien presence who appears through a rather large door hovering over the city.

Although I wasn’t quite sold on the opening pages of Astro City #1 featuring the character of The Broken Man who narrates the new story, the comic quickly takes off with the introduction of the ridiculously cool American Chibi and the alien ambassador Telseth who comes through the door only after the various heroes and military resources have stopped trying to destroy it. Part Galactus, part Celestial, and with a definite Jack Kirby inspired design, Telseth, much like everything in Astro City is not what you would first expect.

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Doctor Who – The Name of The Doctor

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: Doctor Who – The Name of The Doctor
  • tv.com: link

“When you are a time traveler there is one place you must never go. One place in all of space and time you must never, ever find yourself… It wasn’t talking about my secret. No, no, no. That’s not what’s been found. It was talking about my grave.”

 

Doctor Who - The Name of The Doctor

It’s been 26-and-a-half years since the name The Valeyard has been mentioned on and episode of Doctor Who. Not only does the final episode of the 50th Anniversary season mention him by name, but it strongly foreshadows his imminent return. Of course that’s far from all “The Name of The Doctor” offers. We finally learn the secret of Clara (Jenna-Louise Coleman), see The Doctor‘s (Matt Smith) final battle with The Great Intelligence (Richard E. Grant), and take a trip to the one place no Time Lord should ever go – his grave. The second-half of Series Seven has been high on concept, if a little shaky at times in execution, but the season finale sets up some huge stories for the show’s 50th Anniversary Special and beyond.

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Elementary – Heroine

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: Elementary – Heroine
  • tv.com: link

“You look at people and you see puzzles. I see games. You’re a game I’ll win every time.”

Elementary - Heroine

After revealing herself to Sherlock Holmes (Jonny Lee Miller), and saving his life, Moriarty (Natalie Dormer) promises to continue hurting the detective should he further interfere with any more of her plans. With Watson (Lucy Liu) and Gregson’s (Aidan Quinn) help, Holmes, still reeling from being shot and discovering The Woman is actually his arch nemesis, returns to the case he was investigating before being contacted by Moriarty – the scheme to take over a historic speakeasy and the downfall of the heads of a security firm for murder.

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Psych – Office Space

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: Psych – Office Space
  • tv.com: link

“You look like Bruce Willis in Blind Date.”

Psych - Office Space

After Gus (Dulé Hill) quits to stand up for co-worker to his abusive boss (Michael Daingerfield), he returns later that night to beg for his job back when he accidentally stumbles upon and contaminates the crime scene of his boss’ murder. When a freaked-out Guster shows up on his doorstep in the middle of the night, Shawn (James Roday) agrees to help his pal cover his tracks.

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Scarlet Spider #16

/ / Comics

Scarlet Spider #16After the disappointing last couple of issues where the series seem to loose its sense of fun for a far darker turn things pick up when Kaine is dragged to the rodeo against his will by Aracely and his new friends and the new Scarlet Spider is forced into action against a giant drunken lovelorn hero who shows up win back his girlfriend. It’s every bit as awesome as it sounds.

Christopher Yost has terrific fun with Kaine’s narration here as his day gets more and more unbelievable. Hell, he’s even forced to ride a horse and try and lasso the out-of-control Armadillo, and he’s left speechless when the scene plays out far differently than he expected.

Aside from the ridiculously awesome circumstances, Scarlet Spider #16 continues laying groundwork for ongoing stories including Kaine finally giving into his feelings for Annabelle, and a dire warning to Kaine to leave Houston which the hero never receives. Hopefully the foreboding won’t infringe too much on the glorious insanity the comic delivers when it is at its best. Must-read.

[Marvel, $2.99]

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