Superman

Justice League: Gods and Monsters

  • Title: Justice League: Gods and Monsters
  • IMDb: link

Justice League: Gods and MonstersI was ecstatic when I heard Bruce Timm was returning to DC for a new animated feature. One of the creators behind Batman: The Animated Series and Justice League Unlimited, the animated DCU just hasn’t been the same since his departure. When I heard the premise of the movie, however, I was more skeptical. It turns out I need not have feared that Bruce Timm might be corrupted by the grit of the New 52 that’s turned so much of DC’s comic and video output to shit. Timm certainly delivers a darker and more adult story than expected but it’s still grounded in a profound understanding and love for these characters that is far too often lacking in much of DC’s current output.

Although the word Elseworlds doesn’t appear in its title that’s exactly what Justice League: Gods and Monsters is: a story set in an alternate version of the DCU vastly different from the any we know. The result is as unexpected as it is enjoyable. It may not be classic Timm, but the man certainly hasn’t lost his knack for characters, design, or storytelling.

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First Look – Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

  • Title: Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
  • IMDb: link

DC rolled out its first official Batman v Superman trailer at San Diego Comic-Con. The extended look sets up the basic conflict between the two heroes, suggest the people of Metropolis are equally miffed about Supes’ behavior in Man of Steel as the rest of us, and gives us a good look at Batman (Ben Affleck), Superman (Henry Cavill), Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), and Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg). Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice opens in theaters on March 25, 2016.

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Scooby-Doo! Team-Up #9

Scooby-Doo! Team-Up #9After sending Mystery, Inc. on a journey through time and space visiting The Jetsons and The Flintstones, Scooby-Doo! Team-Up #9 returns to its original premise of teaming Scooby and his pals up with heroes from the DC Universe. The latest issue sends Scooby and the gang to Metropolis to help out with the odd appearance of Julius Caesar’s ghost inside the Daily Planet caused by the Prankster.

A fun all-age mystery, Scooby-Doo! Team-Up #9 is also filled with several nods to classic Superman adventures including Red Kryptonite (which here turns Superman into a rampaging monster), an appearance by Krypto, the play on the classic “Great Caesar’s Ghost!” exclamation from the original Superman TV-show, and Scooby and Shaggy unintentionally injesting super-hero formulas giving them the temporary super-powers of Lois Lane and Jimmy from some mostly forgotten Silver Age comics.

After a pair of lackluster issues without any super-heroes to team-up with the comic returns to form here offering the same kind of zany fun delivered in its first five issues. Must-read.

[DC, $2.99]

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Convergence #0

Convergence #0For the first time since the launch of the New 52 three-and-half years ago I’m actually excited about a mainstream DC event focused on offering classic versions of heroes from different decades. DC’s major Spring-Summer storyline kicks off her not with a roar but a whimper that despite giving us multiple versions of Braniac feels every bit a New 52 story.

Convergence #0 sets up the premise of the event with Braniac stealing cities from all over the Multiverse for his own collection. However the only hero we see in the first issue is the current version of Superman taken captive by the alien menace who changes form throughout the issue from the classic version to a zombie look and new version with various others in-between including the Bronze Age robotic version and his look from Superman: The New Animated Adventures.

After reading Convergence #0 I have more doubt about the event and whether the number of writers and artists tasked can get the right feel for the various characters. I have no doubt there will be gems to be discovered over the course of multiple months but after this incredibly overpriced $5 kick-off issue I’m less sure about the overall event. Hit-and-Miss.

[DC, $4.99]

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Justice League vs. Bizarro League

  • Title: LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League vs. Bizarro League
  • wiki: link

Justice League vs. Bizarro League

A LEGO Justice League movie? Okay, you’ve got my attention. The only real negative to LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League vs. Bizarro League is its length. Clocking in around 45-minutes it’s a stretch to say you’re getting your moneys worth with this new LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes “movie.” That doesn’t mean there isn’t an awful lot of fun to be had for fans of LEGO and DC Comics.

The plot takes place after the events of Batman Be-Leaguered (also included here as a nice extra) as a distrustful Batman (Troy Baker) has joined the Justice League which now faces a new threat with the return of Bizarro (Nolan North) who creates Bizarro duplicates of the other members of the Justice League to help him save the lifeless odd square-shaped planet which Darkseid (Tony Todd) has taken an interest in because of the powerful crystals Superman (North) has convinced Bizarro are helpless citizens he needs to protect.

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