4 Razors

Babylon 5 – Signs and Portents

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: Babylon 5 – Signs and Portents
  • wiki: link

“They’re here.”

Babylon 5 - Signs and Portents television review

Our Throwback Tuesday post takes us back to the space station of humans and aliens all alone in the night. While there are episode-specific storylines here including raiders hitting ships on the way to the station, a Centauri seer (Fredi Olster) having a vision of the station’s imminent destruction, and a hostage situation, “Signs and Portents” stands out mainly for laying foundation for the larger arc which would lead to the Great War in the show’s later seasons. The episode features the first appearance of Mr. Morden (Ed Wasser) on the station as he seeks out various ambassadors looking for a suitable friend in the coming war. While G’Kar (Andreas Katsulas) laughs off the man’s unusual offer of friendship, Londo (Peter Jurasik) gives a response more passionate than intended, and Delenn (Mira Furlan) alone sees past the messenger to what his presence means for the galaxy.

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Batman #50

/ / Comics

Batman #50 comic reviewThe wedding day finally arrives in the over-sized Batman #50. While the main story features the bride and groom to be getting ready for the big event, the comic is a standout for a series of full-page art by various DC artist capturing Batman and Catwoman over the years. My favorites of these are the classic 70s and 80s pages from José Luis García-López and Jason Fabok, the classic 50s look from Andy Kubert, the fun Spidey pose from Rafael Albuquerque, and the longing in Becky Cloonan’s page. My only real complaint is that Bruce Timm isn’t included (although Ty Templeton‘s take harkens back to that style).

Surprising absolutely no one, DC Comics gets cold feet at the last moment and calls off the wedding between the two characters with each leaving a note for the other that remains unread. Despite their plans, and DC’s huge build-up to the event, the wedding never takes place.

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Samurai Jack – Episode XI: Jack and the Scotsman

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: Samurai Jack – Episode XI: Jack and the Scotsman
  • wiki: link

Samurai Jack - Episode XI: Jack and the Scotsman television review

Throwback Thursday takes us back to the adventures of the time-displaced samurai and his quest to make his way home. On the world’s longest rope bridge, Jack‘s (Phil LaMarr) journey is stalled when he comes face-to-face with the Scotsman (John DiMaggio). Having both spent days on the rickety bridge, neither is prepared to back-up and let the other by. The Scotsman’s bagpipes and verbal jabs at Jack only flame tempers further leading to sword fighting lasting all day, all night, and well into the next day. Only the arrival of Aku‘s (Mako) bounty hunters forces the two warriors to put their petty squabble aside and work together.

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Mary and the Witch’s Flower

/ / Home Video
  • Title: Meari to majo no hana
  • IMDb: link

Mary and the Witch's Flower Blu-ray reviewBased on The Little Broomstick by Mary Stewart, the Japanese anime Mary and the Witch’s Flower begins in fire prior to settling down and introducing us to the precocious Mary (Hana Sugisaki/Ruby Barnhill) living in the lonely countryside with her Great-Aunt Charlotte (Shinobu Otake/Lynda Baron). Despite her best efforts and sunny attitude, Mary struggles with the lack of other children to play with and still not quite fitting in with the adults.

Over the course of a handful of days, Mary will make several discoveries which will change her life beginning with meeting a neighbor boy and discovering the rarest of flowers deep in the woods. While not initially connected, both will be part of Mary’s introduction to a larger world of witches and magic which will amaze and frighten her as the flower and a broomstick, both left abandoned in the woods long, long ago, lead her to the gates of Endor College for witches.

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Ben Reilly: Scarlet Spider #20

/ / Comics

Ben Reilly: Scarlet Spider #20 comic reviewWith the battle with Mysterio and his daughter behind them, both Scarlet Spiders attempt to move on. For Ben Reilly that means continuing to try and save Abigail Mercury from the incurable Crooks’ disease. Tracking down the expert who has illuded him, the Scarlet Spider discovers why the willing scientist hasn’t been more responsive to his pleas: he’s unknowingly been a captive of Sauron.

The other storyline feels a lot like Kaine‘s short comic run as the other Scarlet Spider deals with a Mindless One left over from his trip to the other dimension who bonds with a spirited young boy to cause all kinds of havoc. Now all the hero needs to do is try and convince the kid to give up his invulnerable and destructive new friend who obeys all of his commands. Good luck.

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