4 Razors

Batgirl #13

/ / Comics

batgirl-13-coverThis Batgirl is reminding more and more of classic Peter Parker stories, always getting into more trouble than she can handle, but jumping in anyway with a positive attitude and snappy comeback for each situation. We’ve even got the insightful but self-deprecating narration.

This single-issue storyline puts our heroine up against Clayface (who is used very well here) and his attempt to rob a Gotham bank, but not for what you might expect.

Throw in the seamless addition of Proxy (who just might be an okay replacement for Oracle), the early scenes of Batgirl at college, and Stephanie’s conversations with Detective McHandsome (great nickname), and you’ve got yourself a really good read. Definitely worth a look.

[DC $2.99]

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The Return of Darkwing Duck

/ / Comics

darkwing-duck-1-coverDarkwing Duck is long retired, the city of St. Canard is now protected by overzealous robots known as Crimebots. Since shunning the public spotlight our hero has taken a job as a “Data Accounts Networking Officer” spending most of his time dealing principal calls concerning Gosalyn’s latest antics at school and daydreaming about his glory days when he fought a giant monster rabbits or when had his arm was transformed into a snake. Ah, those were the days.

Good first issue from the folks at BOOM! Studios setting up the world of Darkwing Duck and reminding us all why it needs a hero who quacks in the night. Ian Brill has captured the humor of the old cartoon and the art by James Silvani is near perfect. Definitely worth a look. In fact, response was so good BOOM! decided after one issue to forgo the initial concept of a four-issue mini-series and immediately green-lit Darkwing Duck as an ongoing monthly series. Hopefully the terror that flaps in the night will continue to do so for a very long time.

[BOOM! $3.99]

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Batman: Under the Red Hood

/ / Home Video
  • Title: Batman: Under the Red Hood
  • IMDB: link

Jason Todd. The mere mention of his name can lead to hour-long discussions between longtime Bat-fans. The street thug, who took over the mantle of Robin after Dick Grayson moved on to a new persona, died at the hands of the Joker (and, to be fair, at the hands of thousands of Batman fans). It took 17 years but, as comic characters have a habit of doing, Jason returned to the DCU in the guise of a sociopathic anti-hero: The Red Hood.

The latest direct-to-video feature from Warner Premiere and Warner Bros. Animation is a faithful recreation of the Under the Hood storyline by Judd Winick (who also penned the script to the film). The film begins with the brutal death of Jason Todd (Jensen Ackles) from Batman: A Death in the Family before jumping right into the Red Hood’s first appearance in Gotham cowing local drug lords and forcing them under his thumb in his attempt to take the role as Gotham’s #1 crimelord from Black Mask (Wade Williams).

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Condorman

/ / Home Video
  • Title: Condorman
  • IMDb: link

There are movies which live in my childhood. Viewing them years later, no matter the length of time which may have passed, I’m instantly transported back in time to that darkened theater, fond memories, and childhood wonderment.

Condorman, based on the James Bond spoof by Robert Sheckley, is one of those films. From the Pink Panther-style opening featuring the rousing score of Henry Mancini to the final unheard whispered line at a crowded Dodger game (and everything in-between), I’m hooked. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

In the film Woody Wilkins (Michael Crawford) is a comic book writer living in Paris while working on his latest creation: Condorman, “Vulture of the western world.” When his best friend, a pencil-pusher for the CIA (James Hampton), needs a civilian to deliver some not-so important secret papers in Istanbul Woody happily volunteers, passing himself off as a top secret spy codenamed Condorman.

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The Lone Ranger Definitive Edition (Volume One)

/ / Comics
  • Title: The Lone Ranger Definitive Edition (Volume One)

It’s all here: the lone survivor of a massacre, a white horse, the faithful Native American companion, a silver mine to forge bullets, and a mask. Writer Brett Matthews‘ take on the western icon The Lone Ranger may not be for everyone, but it suits me just fine.

At the heart of the tale is John Reid, a man deeply conflicted with the death of his brother Dan, weighing his need for justice and revenge, and still searching for his place in the world. Our hero is still the man we know, he just doesn’t know it quite yet. The comic is harsher (mirroring the landscape and time period) than most depictions, and the stories often involve tough choices and a fair bit of violence with each issue.

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The Lone Ranger Definitive Edition (Volume One) Read More »