Cosmic Book News: Comic Book Movie News, TV, Gaming and More

The “DOC’s” Top Of The Pile for 2/27/2013

The Top Of The Pile

By: Chris “DOC” Bushley

This is a “quick pick” look at the Top 5 comics that EVERYONE should be reading this week! Whether it’s rife with characterization, filled with emotional strife, has a bevy of high octane battle sequences or is just a plain ol’ great read — these books belong at the “Top Of The Pile!”

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1. Teen Titans #17 (DC): In the aftermath of “The Death of the Family” storyline, these young heroes try to see the silver lining of everyday life. Unfortunately, the “Bat” family may not be the only one that is left broken. Things become more difficult as something is amiss with the Titans, plus, we see the return of the New 52 version of Raven — straight from the pages of Phantom Stranger! Great art and a solid read

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3. The Answer #2 (Dark Horse): This quirky, smart and original story will leave you asking more questions with every passing page! It is a book that doesn’t fall into the trappings of the “superhero” genre but expands upon it exponentially through fantastic ideas and whirlwind action. Just when you think you know what lies before you, you are spun into another direction entirely. If you are looking for something that is overtly fun and intriguing — The Answer is your answer!

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4. Uncanny Avengers #4 (Marvel): Rick Remender knows how to write on hell of an engaging story. From hostile social climates and intense political views, all the way down to classic fisticuffs that rock the page — this book is THE pinnacle of “superhero” books. Remender has such a deep knowledge of X-Men history that literally, every issue has some sort of nostalgic nuance to it. But Avenger fans need not fear, there are plenty of Cap shield wielding, Thor hammering and Scarlett Witch chaos magic to make you all happy! This is the best Avengers book on the shelves and you have Rick Remender to thank for it!

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5. Batman Incorporated #8 (DC): Yes, this issue is the death of Robin issue that everyone has been talking about! It deserves a place on your pull list, not only for the death of a great character but because of the general story as well. Full of “little” moments between the “Bat” characters, this issue builds up the emotional dial to eleven before the grand finale! Morrison may be wrapping things up for poor Damian Wayne, but he won’t let him go down without a fight! Cheers to one of the best characters created in the past decade, we’re gonna miss ya!

Comic Book News

Advanced Review: Batman Incorporated #8

Spoilers Ahoy!

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The cover was leaked and now everyone is talking about the harrowing details about this week’s Batman Incorporated #8! Even Al Roker from the Today Show led a segment regarding the death of Robin in the issue, by the way, Mr. Roker seems very well versed in the world of comics — color me impressed!

So, it is no secret about the death of another Robin, but how is the book overall? Let me tell you, Grant Morrison delivers a grand exodus for the most complex Robin ever created!

A hero is defined by his actions. Damian Wayne may have started out as just another would be assassin aimed at Batman but his growth as a character saw him become a fan-favorite and one of the most intriguing heroes to read. In issue #8 of Grant Morrison’s epic book about Wayne Enterprises and the legacy of Batman becoming a global conglomerate, we see for the very last time why Robin has acquired so many fans. It is a testament to how well constructed this character was, a true hero despite his villainous beginnings.

An extremely tense action drama unfolds before you as almost every Robin that ever was, stands against a barrage of Talia’s henchmen trying to take over Wayne Enterprises. It is a quickly paced tale that will ensnare you from the opening salvo and grab you by the heartstrings as the inevitable begins to unfold. Morrison layers in moments of emotional gold as he focuses in on the kinship of Damian and Nightwing, making the finale that much more devastating and personal to the reader.

Morrison’s send off of such a fantastic character is nothing less than pitch perfect. It is exactly the way one would perceive a character such as Damian to end, valiant in the face of danger but with a twinge of fear and regret as well. This is a book that will resonate with a lot of fans, regardless of all the hype it has been given — it truly is fantastic!

As the book begins, Damian asks a question, “What would you do without me, Grayson?” In return, I ask Grant Morrison this, “What will WE do without him, too?” Goodnight, Robin — you’ve earned your rest.

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2013 Oscars: Results, Opinions & Fallout

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Oscar Fallout 2013

What the hell just happened?

By: Lawrence Napoli

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What can I say? Oscar night is a magical night. It’s my Super Bowl night and I was really anticipating the results of this evening because the films up for contention were much more interesting from top to bottom than last year. I was also intrigued to see how Seth MacFarlane would host such a gala event and his selection makes a lot of sense, right? He’s been celebrated for being the ring master behind Family Guy that has delivered countless laughs that poke fun at anything and everything, but particularly, the “ridiculousness” of American pop culture. In a way, his selection is quite ironic because The Academy Awards represent a hallmark in Americana that he wouldn’t mind completely ripping into for its elitism, shallowness, and plasticized prima facie. However, this stage represents an opportunity for his irreverent comedy to keep this show fresh and significant to the movie patrons of the future. Considering the extra attention this evening is receiving for the political films that are the frontrunners this evening, I fully expect a Brian Griffin moment from Seth where he makes an observation that is neither too hilarious, nor too poignant and everyone pauses for consideration. That being said, Seth will either soar with the eagles or crash and burn and melt and leave a really bad smell afterwards. How did it turn out? Read on Cosmic Book News faithful, read on.

[Red carpet observation: What was the deal with all the white girls getting the memo regarding the requirement to show up with equally white dresses? Noteworthy exceptions to this were Jennifer Anniston, Catherine Zeta Jones and Nicole Kidman.]

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Opening Ceremony

I really appreciated Seth’s rip on The Artist right off the bat. It also didn’t take long for Seth to get a few “ooo” moments for the jokes he made: Chris Brown/Rhianna. And then Captain Kirk appears? Ok so, it led into Seth’s first musical number (pre-recorded, but pretty funny about all the women we saw the boobs of), but the little dance number between Channing Tatum and Charlize Theron was unexpected, but completely adorable. Then Daniel Radcliffe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth perform a short rendition of “High Hopes.” Obviously Harry Potter has Broadway skills, but who knew Robin could sing, too? This led to a skit of MacFarlane hitting on Sally Field in a “Flying Nun” costume. Meh.

Octavia Spencer presents Best Supporting Actor – Christoph Waltz for Django Unchained

Big surprise #1. I really was not expecting this and I’m pretty sure no one else did either, but I guess someone has to continue feeding the Taratino machine that sweet sustenance of credibility. Shame on me, I didn’t see Django Unchained yet, but I’ve heard nothing but mixed reviews concerning it. That’s not a knock on Christoph Waltz who is deserving of such recognition based on the excellence he displayed in Inglorious Basterds. Still, this may be a sign to come that Lincoln the pre-show favorite to win it all, might be snubbed all together.

Paul Rudd and Melissa McCarthy present Best Animated Short Film – Paperman (John Kahrs).

What is it with comedians being earmarked for animated presentations? What is it with them totally flubbing what they have to say in the process? Rudd and McCarthy should have just played it straight because Paperman was one of the best animated shorts I’ve ever seen because it was quite touching in its simplicity and inspiring in its fantasy.

Best Animated Feature Film – Brave

What a surprise. Disney Pixar takes the category made for Disney Pixar films. Yawn. Moving on.

The Avengers Assemble! And they present Best Cinematography – Life of Pi (Claudio Miranda)

Please do take a box office bow, gentlemen. But where are the mighty Thor and the seductive Black Widow? Excellent live chemistry was displayed by the group in attendance led by Tony Stark himself. I just wished they could have been given more time to do their thing. Guess I’ll just have to wait for The Avengers 2. Good for Life of Pi, but the cinematography had better look great when the whole film is practically CGI.

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**They also present Best Visual Effects – Life of Pi (Bill Westenhofer and co.)**

I’m sure glad they brought The Avengers on the stage to be completely ignored by The Academy. I get the distinct impression that something very weird is happening and that weirdness could be Life of Pi winning a heck of a lot more than it was projected. Cue the orchestra for its first awkward play-off for a long running acceptance speech. The Jaws theme completely drowned out Westenhofer just in time for the camera to cut to Nicole Kidman who frowned in disapproval for the classless move. Still, everyone should have a go to “wrap up” comment to avoid being cut off.

**Jennifer Aniston and Channing Tatum present Best Costume Design – Anna Karenina (Jacqueline Durran)**

Jen welcomes Chan to the waxed actors club. Didn’t really need to know that one, but I’m glad a period piece won this award because they’re made to do exactly that.

**Best Makeup and Hairstyling – Les Misérables (Lisa Westcot and Julie Dartnell)**

Production value was big, big, business for Les Miz. Costumes in that film were very well done and I expect Oscar gold in production design for this film as well.

Halle Berry presents the 50^th Anniversary of James Bond

A nice little video montage of Bond’s greatest moments on film was nice, but nothing a freshman in college couldn’t compile on Final Cut Pro. But then Shirley Bassey comes out of the floor to sing the Goldfinger theme quite masterfully; so much so that her rendition surpasses the original in every, single way. You go girl! Standing O: deserved! Hopefully we get more of this with Adele waiting in the wings to do the Skyfall theme.

**Kerry Washington and Jaime Fox present Best Live Action Short Film – Curfew (Shawn Christensen).**

I understand the need to thank The Academy for supporting the more obscure categories such as this, but it would be better if The Academy showed some real love to this category by making some comprehensive programs for those interested to actually see these little nuggets of gold.

**Best Documentary Short – Inocente (Sean and Andrea Fine).**

So, the subject of this documentary was homeless last week and so shame on Hollywood for not getting artists like her seen and heard? How about shame on humanity for allowing atrocity like hunger and homelessness to exist anywhere! Look, I’m happy they won, but let’s have some solutions before pointing fingers.

**Ben Affleck thanks Seth for the constant ribbing and presents Best Documentary Feature – Searching for Sugar Man (Malik Bendjelloul and Simon Chin).**

I’m glad that the one documentary that didn’t cover absolutely depressing material won, but I really hate the Jaws theme being used (AGAIN) to play people off their speeches. It’s starting to get annoying.

[Best MacFarlane joke of the night so far: “The cast of Prometheus tells us, what the hell was going on there?”]

**Jennifer Garner and Jessica Chastain present Best Foreign Language Film – Amour (Austria).**

Yay Austria, but then Seth MacFarlane thanks the orchestra and there’s a moment where everyone thought he was joking about it as they played behind his presentation. One word: awkward.

Catherine Zeta Jones performs All That Jazz

If her singing was, in fact, live singing, then color me impressed. If she was just lip syncing it, oh well, everyone’s doing it and I’m less impressed. Still, she had to record it at some point.

Jennifer Hudson sings a number from Dream Girls

This number certainly sounded live because we could all hear her breaths as she swung the mic dramatically away from her mouth. Jennifer’s a professional singer and she won an Academy Award for acting as a singer in this movie, so it better be live because it certainly kicked all sorts of ass.

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**The cast of Les Misérables performs together.**

I really enjoyed the staging of this musical number which incorporated everyone’s entrance (and I mean EVERYONE) as they rallied around One Day More. Yeah, yeah, Russell Crowe still did his thing, but they sounded great as a collective. Screw you Adam Lambert. If you thought they were so terrible, get all your friends together and make your own musical adaptation.

**Mark Walhberg and Ted present Best Sound Mixing – Les Misérables (Andy Nelson and co.).**

I guess Ted had to do all the comic heavy lifting because Marky Mark was having none of it. It makes all the sense in the world that a film requiring the balance between sound, dialogue, sound effects and background music would win this award. No other film had such a heavy sound mixing burden.

**Best Sound Editing – WTF? (No BS, but a tie?) Zero Dark Thirty and Skyfall.**

I can’t remember a tie for an Oscar in recent memory and it only ever happened twice before: once in 1932 for the best actor and a second time in 1968 for best actress. And now it’s a third . . . for best sound editing?

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Christopher Plummer presents Best Supporting Actress – Anne Hathaway

Sitting next to her Les Miz costar, Hugh Jackman, Anne makes a nice gesture acknowledging every other nominee as well as the Wolverine himself. She got so much hype for winning this award, but it was hype well deserved because it was an amazing performance.

**Sandra Bullock presents Best Film Editing – Argo (William Goldenberg)**

It took a while for Argo to make any kind of splash but here it is. And speaking of firsts, people winning their first awards seems to be the theme of the evening. This doesn’t look good for the likes of Daniel Day Lewis.

Adele performs Skyfall

So we all know this song will win the Oscar later on in the evening right? I’d just like to make note of the fact that Adele sings so well in that voice when she’s as British as the day is long. Regardless, it was another inspired performance by a “true” singer which is actually better than the recorded version for the film.

**Daniel Radcliffe and Kristen Stewart present Best Production Design – Lincoln (Rick Carter and Jim Erikson).**

Another Oscar frontrunner picks up its first award and although this film did not involve any fantastic settings or highly stylize set pieces, the effectiveness of the production design was no less impactful. By the way, if Stewart injured herself some way, why is she determined to hobble around like the walking dead (pun intended)? Her constant grimacing was kind of annoying, so let’s get her some assistance and I don’t just mean from the Actor’s Studio.

George Clooney presents In Memoriam

The obvious somber moment of the evening plays out like normal, but then opens up to Barbara Streisand singing Memories as only she can. All that can be said is that she gave us all a beautiful and heartfelt performance. Streisand is the epitome of dignity and class.

**Some of the cast of Chicago present Best Musical Score – Life of Pi (Mychael Danna).**

Chalk up another for the Ang Lee’s production, but it is unfortunate that no one on his cast or crew can pronounce his name correctly. Pi is seems unstoppable at this point.

Best Original Song – Adele’s Skyfall

Good for Adele, but once again, no surprise here. Anyone else signing this song, however, doesn’t bring the attention required to take home the victory.

**Charlize Theron and Dustin Hoffman present Best Adapted Screenplay – Argo (Chris Terrio).**

Argo’s writer makes the first political statement of the evening giving a nod to nonviolent means of solving international problems. Perhaps that message will get across to the US government, but it is not this day.

**Best Original Screenplay – Django Unchained (Quentin Tarantino).**

Nice leather tie Q. It was an interesting move to thank the power of his characters for his writing. Although I will say that this year’s films were certainly better overall than last year’s, but I’m not necessarily thinking that this year was, in fact, the year for the writers. Battleship and John Carter still happened this past year. What about them?

**Michael Douglas and Jane Fonda present Best Director – Ang Lee (Life of Pi).**

Yes! More redemption for the terrible Hulk. With so many awards going Pi’s way, this really wasn’t a surprise. Thanking Taiwan is interesting in that it’s dangerously close to thanking our good buddies in China who are having a blast hacking our databases for industrial espionage, crushing our economy with slave labor and probably prepping for WW III. How much money do you think Lee’s production paid his two crews in India and Taiwan?

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**Jean Dujardin presents Best Actress – Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook).**

Holy *ucking sh*t! Don’t get me wrong, I love Jennifer, but wow. She had the hype, she had The Hunger Games and she has the whole of Hollywood eating out of the palm of her hand. She is talented, she is capable, but she better not screw up the good fortune she’s found early on in her career. Many actors have long careers with zero recognition and honorary Oscars do not count. Christopher Plummer taught me that. Good for you Jennifer, but you still have two more Hunger Games to muddle through.

Meryl Streep presents Best Actor – Daniel Day Lewis.

About damn time! The most deserving winner for the most perfect category: this man became Abraham Lincoln. No one else can claim this level of immersion. Daniel offered up the best acceptance speech of the evening with a good dose of comedy. Cheers Daniel! Keep making and taking incredible roles.

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**Jack Nicholson presents Michele Obama who both present Best Picture – Argo (Ben Affleck and co.).**

Ben’s co-producers took a specific time out to thank and re-thank Ben Affleck for his directing contributions to the film as a final “stick it” to The Academy. Argo is deserving of this victory because of the story. Please refer to my review concerning the historical accuracy of the actual event, but I don’t care if it was or wasn’t. I want to be entertained and if the story is compelling enough, I will do research to find the “real” real story.

The Host?

Let’s make this quick. Seth did not sink or swim. He did not exactly impress, but he did a respectable job. All of his jokes simply took jabs at anyone in attendance and I was expecting some evolution of that strategy during the show. It wasn’t terrible, but it got boring at times. He did not succumb to the temptation of breaking into Family Guy voices at all. That’s saying something, I guess.

The Big Loser

Zero Dark Thirty. This movie should have gone home with absolutely nothing because sharing a tie for best sound editing, of all categories, seems like a door prize. James Bond took home more Oscars than Kathryn Bigelow’s production this year.

The Big Winner

This was a little more difficult to arbitrarily designate, but it has to be Argo. Certainly Life of Pi won a lot and for a while, it looked like it could go all the way. But, the controversy of Argo as a production makes for a better story, right? If it were nominated for more categories, it probably would have taken home more gold. I’m just glad Affleck didn’t bust into his kegger acceptance speech from Good Will Hunting. He came close, but pulled it back.

The Wrap Up

There were some twists and turns, some surprises and “no duh’s,” but overall I think this was a successful Academy Awards. It’s still too long and there’s no way to address this issue without seriously thinking about cutting categories that get live presentations during the show or perhaps losing the musical performances. I’d prefer the former because the performances really do add quality entertainment value. At the same time, I really hate the orchestra playing people off with Jaws. How about adding an “enhanced experience” for people to follow at home on their computers, tablets or smart phones to experience some of the trimmed fat in future shows?

Did your favorites win? Does The Academy have a clue? Do you just want Jennifer Lawrence’s phone number? Hollywood can still make amazing films when it wants to, so hopefully we can see better films at the theatres and when that happens, I hope to see you at the movies.

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Comic Book News

Review: Justice League Of America #1

There is something amiss in the DCU. The Justice League, a team that has been put on a pedestal by the general public, has been falling out of favor with the U.S. government. Mostly resulting from the ramifications of the attack by Atlantis, the Justice League now finds itself with a target on it’s back, one that has been put there by the same people that helped to back them in the first place. Now, another team has been put into play, and this one has been hand picked to take the Justice League down!

Blockbuster scribe Geoff Johns and fan-favorite artist David Finch have come together to give us a tale of deep intrigue, covert operations and betrayal that will both excite and captivate readers. Though the general outline of the story has been done many times before -government covert ops set up a team of super powered individuals to take down other super powered individuals – it is the structure and scope of the tale that will entice readers to dive into the series wholeheartedly. Through flashback sequences mingled with aspects happening in the present, Johns builds a powerful story of a manipulative Amanda Waller that will not take no for an answer as she builds her ultimate team to become the poster child of the U.S.. government.

The tale is steeped in collusion, bringing some fan-favorite characters back into the DCU in completely new ways and bringing them to the forefront, whether they like it or not. Personally, it was a pleasure just to see Star Girl and Hawkman in the same book once again, and although they have become foreign to me in their New 52 incarnations, they are as exciting to me now as they were the first time I read them in James Robinson and David Goyer’s JSA #1 in 1999! But the character to watch will be Vibe — I know, I can’t believe I said it either! With a completely new origin, Vibe has the potential to become a truly fantastic character and one that will far surpass it’s previous incarnation.

Although Johns weaves a fantastic first issue of beguilement, it is David Finch’s artistic duties that catapults this book further than it would have reached with a lesser talent. His work on Avengers was great but this is truly something special! Darker and using slightly different techniques to diversify the core characters, Finch has given his all for this book. He has gone from a well rounded penciler to an outstanding artist that will tantalize the eyes.

As “set-up” issues go, it is outstanding and will envelop you into Johns’ vision of the new JLA! His opening salvo into a darker era is intense and exceptional while his choices for the team and the reasoning behind them are fantastic, if not somewhat diabolical. I can’t wait for everyone to see who is chosen to take out whom, it will definitely light up the message boards! So, choose your individual state flag cover and get to reading!

Movie News Reviews

Movie Review: Argo (2012)

Argo *uck Yourself!

A Film Review of Argo

By: Lawrence Napoli

I’m just kidding about the title kiddies. Argo really is an exceptional film and despite Ben Affleck’s repeated attempts to fuel his directing career by siphoning off his acting abilities, the end result is a film that surpasses The Town and offers up a dynamic political thriller to an audience interested in the state of world affairs and history in particular. This dramatization of the 1979 Iran hostage crisis presents one of the most dangerous contemporary conflicts between the West and the Middle East that would be quite prophetic in establishing the manner in which the US would involve itself in that region for years to come. This film is not without its historical inaccuracies and the critics that are quick to mount the “how dare you!” bandwagon, but it is also meant to be a form of entertainment with a modicum of intelligence. That being said, every alteration (big or small) enhances the drama, but may inspire some negative energy which I will address towards the end of this review.

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Catch us if you can.

Hollywood and the federal government: a match made in heaven, yes? Film production and government have been intertwined since the technology was invented due to its unprecedented ability to communicate to masses of individuals and to do so at an emotional level when done properly. However unlikely that La La Land would have been so active a participant in international espionage, the fact remains that this event happened and this film does a masterful job at setting the table for the audience. The plot, setting and primary characters in this kind of movie could easily be lost amidst the constant flashing back and forth between the multiple perspectives, but Argo keeps the plot moving thanks to good pacing and a constant crescendo of suspense. This prevents the audience from losing interest due to lulls in the action where dialogue is featured for exposition. The screenplay by Chris Terrio based on the book by Tony Mendez (The Master of Disguise) and the article by Joshuah Bearman (Escape from Tehran) is to be commended for presenting a compelling fiction capable of capturing the interest of the engaged audience member, young and old.

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Where’s Waldo?

In these tumultuous political times between the US and any other country, the concept of shooting an America vs. Middle East film requiring the credibility of believable exterior shots is not a challenge to be taken lightly. The locations in Argo look exquisite, but I was surprised to learn that the closest this production got to the Middle East was Istanbul, Turkey. Making this film “look” the part of a 1970s period piece was apparently the number one priority for director Ben Affleck who used regular film to capture the action, cut the frames in half then proceeded to blow the images up 200% to reproduce the signature grainy film stock of that era. As savvy as Affleck may or may not be about the technicality of film production, his coordination with director of photography, Rodrigo Prieto to achieve this should be recognized for being quite effective. I also cannot write another word without singling out costume designer Jacqueline West for absolutely nailing the clothing of the period both in America and in the Middle East. This synergy is most effectively experienced by the audience during the final credits scroll when we are shown photographs of the actual people and places of the original crisis.

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We are totally NOT Americans sneaking out of Iran.

Argo is a dialogue driven drama that succeeds due in large part to a veteran ensemble cast. My only criticism is that none of the marquee roles are filled out by women. Bryan Cranston as Jack O’Donnell, Alan Arkin as Lester Siegel, John Goodman as John Chambers and Victor Garber as Ken Taylor bring a collective assortment of intensity, levity, charm and dignity to their roles respectively. Their individual moments onscreen certainly highlight the fact that the effort made to rescue Americans under siege was not only a collaboration among individuals, but of governments. The American perspective, however, was not the only performance worthy of merit. Every actor of Middle Eastern decent brought their A-games to Argo, but my favorite was the intensity brought to the screen by Farshad Farahat playing the role of the officer at checkpoint #3 before the hunted Americans are allowed on the planes leaving Tehran. Although his screen time was extremely brief, the impression he leaves is lasting and utterly terrifying.

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Cue the emotional climax.

Ben Affleck playing the lead role of Tony Mendez received a bit of criticism for stepping into the role of a man who is 50% Mexican decent. I too find it distasteful for white actors (who happen to be Hollywood A-Listers) to pilfer ethnically diverse roles more adequately filled by ethnically diverse actors. Jake Gyllenhaal as the Prince of Persia certainly comes to mind, but all things being equal, Affleck doesn’t get the opportunity to direct this film without starring in it and if the man isn’t involved at all, who knows if the film gets made in the first place? Such is the nature of the Hollywood machine, but thankfully, Affleck’s performance is tempered and refrains from showing off his leading laurels akin to Mel Gibson. Mendez is meant to be an agent who gets the job done by drawing as little to no attention to himself or his mission and Affleck is equal to the task of playing this role in a focused manner.

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Cranston brings it.

Although I enjoyed the entertainment value of this film, there is one thought that manifested once the final credits rolled and to this moment I am completely incapable of shaking. There is a very distinct sentiment of anti-Arab throughout the entirety of this film. Naturally, no one would condone one group of people holding another group of people as hostages at gunpoint regardless of the ethnic makeup of either group, but the pro-Americanism of Argo is clearly eclipsed by Arab fear and disdain. The only Iranians not depicted as utterly indoctrinated by western-hate are the Canadian ambassador’s housekeeper and daughter. This may not be the most responsible of depictions, but it serves the pedestrian purpose of creating an opposition to the protagonists that is malevolent and considerable. This, once again, goes to the point of not accepting a Hollywood production as fact (even if it’s “based on a true story”), but the power of the emotions that are stirred up by a film like this is real. Let’s just say that the American perspective on this film wouldn’t mind seeing the entire Middle East nuked off the face of the planet. That, my friends, is an extremely dangerous feeling and if experienced without context and a responsible mind, could foster pure hate and result in evil behavior. As an American, I know that I don’t have anything close to what real Middle Easterners feel about the West and America in particular because everything I see on CNN amounts to flag burnings and gangs toting AK-47’s. It would be nice if Hollywood, as the pinnacle of visual art, were more responsible with its creativity, but every day, Hollywood proves itself less as art and more as business and there’s more money to be made in war than in peace.

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There’s no business like show business.

Still, Argo is a very good film worthy of anyone interested in experiencing a thriller not driven forward by adrenaline filled car chases and shoot-outs. This is a thinking person’s thriller, but I would remind the viewer to take everything he or she sees and hears with a tremendous grain of salt. Compartmentalizing this film as strictly fiction is the way to go, but if Hollywood finds the need to make more films that pit the West against the East, it should find a way to be less stereotypical in its presentation. I got a lot more than what I expected from Argo and I will not be surprised to see this film take best picture on Oscar night, but my vote (one that doesn’t count) is up for Lincoln. Who knew 2012’s Oscar contenders would be so politically charged?

[FYI, did anyone else out there know that legendary comic book artist Jack Kirby created the actual storyboards for the fake film “Argo” to boost the credibility of the fake production for the CIA? I certainly didn’t.]

Movie News Reviews

Movie Review: Zero Dark Thirty (2012)

Not Quite Dark Enough and Not What You’re Expecting

A Film Review of Zero Dark Thirty

By: Lawrence Napoli

How do you fight a war on terror? Conventional warfare waged by the US government would have you believe that attacking the enemy on their home turf is not only the key to victory, but also a means of keeping the front lines of the fight far away from civilians in the homeland: the primary target for terror. Unfortunately, the war on terror has been proven to be anything but a conventional conflict and so other strategies were employed such as targeting the leadership of terror cells and none were regarded as nefarious as Osama bin Laden. Of course, terror cells exist to operate outside the influence of leadership so this strategy doesn’t directly prevent the loss of innocent lives. However, the leaders have influence and information about their networks and the elimination/capture of these individuals provide a much needed morale booster because progress can’t exactly be disclosed to the media the way it has in wars past due to the classified nature of all operations.

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The new weekend research project.

Zero Dark Thirty is a film based on accounts from several sources concerning the pursuit of OBL and it has been recognized as an Oscar front-runner due to the issues it raises concerning torture, the nature of terrorism and the various methods used to combat it. It has also been maligned for inaccuracies, which appears to be the theme for this year’s Academy worthy film productions seeing how both Lincoln and Argo have been singled out for their dramatic skewing. The fact is that nobody should be going to the cinema for a history lesson and anyone accepting dialogue from a Hollywood star as the gospel truth of what happened in real life ought to have their heads examined, but with the ever increasing sentiment of ignorance and apathy in American society, it’s a legitimate concern that some people might. The fine line between fiction and fact is not going to be explored in this review, but my primary criticism to Mark Boal’s script is the severe lack of action and the fact that it grinds the overall pacing down to a slow crawl. Granted, the central idea of this story is depicting how the importance of information gathered through interrogation, interviews, office work, data review, fact checking and various other unglamorous tasks were vital in revealing OBL, but if blurring the details was the order of the day, throwing in a couple more spec-ops sequences would have helped.

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Don’t be fooled, there’s not much of this to be seen.

I don’t seem to find any exceptional artistic merit to this film outside of its subject matter. Just about everything from the production value, to the cinematography, to the format of the story and the performance by the cast is standard fare. That’s not to say that Zero Dark Thirty isn’t less than perfectly adequate, but when it comes to communicating the emotion this film left me with when I walked out of the theatre I can’t say anything other than “I saw it, I got it and now I’d like to see something more interesting thank you.” It’s the same feeling of being unimpressed that I felt when I left The Hurt Locker. There are simply better political thrillers out there (Enemy of the State, No Way Out, andAll the President’s Men). There are more graphic depictions of torture (Hostel, The Last House on the Left, and Ichi the Killer). There are more disturbing depictions of psychological trauma (Misery, Memento, and the original Manchurian Candidate). Zero Dark Thirty is not any of these types of films, yet it has been celebrated and skyrocketed to the top of the Oscar contenders for somehow doing all these things well. I disagree and I do not understand the enhanced credibility afforded to Kathryn Bigelow’s films because I find them to be lesser versions of other films involving similar subject matter. Perhaps the Academy is catching wind of this seeing how she is not amongst the best directors nominated this year. I put my money on there being less members of the Academy with an axe to grind with James Cameron.

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Who’s directing whom?

The only performance worth getting into is the one belonging to Jessica Chastain. This actress has been coming out of the woodwork over the past 3 years with noteworthy performances in films such as The Help (2011), The Tree of Life (2011) and Lawless (2012). I always said there seems to be a lack of serious American film actresses that can compete with the English K/Cates or anyone else from the UK, but Chastain certainly has the potential to take up Meryl Streep’s mantel. However, her full skill set is not, I repeat NOT on showcase for Zero Dark Thirty. The character she plays, Maya (who probably doesn’t really exist) is an enigma due to her lack of emotions outside of anger and petulance. This makes her very difficult to identify with as a protagonist, but when it comes to seeing her as an anti-hero she lacks any semblance of charisma.

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“A” for effort, but a “B” for execution.

The reason she is nominated for best actress in this film is her keen ability to portray solemnity and frustration, two emotions in abundance for any in pursuit of OBL over the years. The problem with this is that Maya undergoes zero transformation despite the ups and downs and the fluctuation in circumstances does not reflect any deviation in the character’s demeanor. I sense there is more depth to Maya, but it seems as if that was too classified to show on the big screen. As a result, Maya gives the distinct impression of being a very intelligent and capable woman, but is really just a spoiled, little brat with exceptional tunnel vision. Perhaps these are the ideal characteristics to join the spook patrol for the CIA, but does not a compelling fictional character make for a dramatic film.

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Maya doesn’t mingle with the jarheads much.

Zero Dark Thirty is easily the most underwhelming Oscar nominated film this year which is a jagged little pill to swallow considering the mystery and intrigue surrounding the hunt for OBL. We, the people will never get the full story or anything close to resembling the actual truth regarding this situation, but it is an interesting fiction the powers that be have allowed the mob to indulge in that it’s not particularly interesting in the first place. There are several instances where I sense any of the Jack Ryan films attempting to be channeled, but these moments ultimately come up way short when it comes to entertainment value. What’s interesting to note is how its box office performance reflects the decent, but not great quality of this film. Budgeted at $40 million with earnings just over $89 million is far from failure, but equally far from phenomenal. I would have thought more Americans would have been more interested in a story about how public enemy #1 was finally dispatched.

Comic Book News Marvel

Review: Nova #1 (Loeb & McGuinness)

McGuinness‘ art and Gracia’s coloring are magnificent to behold.

Marvel Comic Book News

Axel Alonso Says Marvel Studios Doesn’t Affect Marvel Comics; Anymore?

Does the MCU affect the Marvel Comics? EIC Axel Alonso responds to a fan’s question.

Comic Book News

Review: Archer & Armstrong #7

With A new Geomancer being created last issue, what are Archer and Armstrong to do with the Eternal Warrior and his newly acquired object to protect? Cause some all out destruction of course!

Fred Van Lente has a miraculous sense of adventure in his writing. Action packed, comedic and rife with historical relics as well as flashbacks, Archer & Armstrong is one of those books that has a universal appeal. It truly has something for everyone and makes the world of comics a fun and exciting place to be a part of again! The juxtaposition between the overtly serious characters, such as the Eternal Warrior, and the fun loving and clumsy yet clever Armstrong, bring a convivial level to this series that is rarely seen in books today. Fred Van Lente brings the fun back to the world of “funny books” without compromising the level of intelligence of the book or the reader. It is truly entertaining!

While on their quest to track the leaders of the One Percent and the Null, something occurs that readers will find exceptionally intriguing. Though I will not divulge what that something is – no spoilers here – readers of other Valiant books will have to make room for another title that may have more in common with them than at first perceived. The building blocks of the Valiant Universe continue to get bigger and bigger and the unity of their titles have gotten stronger with this issue.

So, if you are looking for something that will satisfy ever aspect of perfect writing, Archer & Armstrong is your one stop shop for it all! It is an extremely exciting to be a fan of Valiant comics, don’t you think you could use some excitement, too?!

Comic Book News

Review: Bloodshot #8

As Bloodshot continues to try and find out his true name in the bowels of Project Rising Star, he has come across more than a few surprises that will turn his entire world upside down!

Swierczynski and Garcia push the limit on an all out action tale that will leave you clamoring for more just as your senses scream for it to stop! This is action at it’s finest, an unrelenting barrage that melds well developed characterization and plot lines with the intensity of a summer blockbuster!

But don’t think it’s all flash bangs and bullets. It is also character piece in self discovery and motivation. Motivation to forgo your own desires in order to preserve the needs of the many. A chance to become something more than just a victim, just a weapon and evolve into a being that has a bigger purpose in the grand scheme of things.

Swierczynski has done well in maintaining the underlying purpose of the book and infusing it into the completely chaotic and brutal action sequences in order to create a well rounded book that is intense on all levels! And the end page promises that next month will be one of the “biggest” battles Bloodshot has ever faced yet!

This tale is building up to April’s massive crossover, Harbinger Wars, and is essential to readers that want to get in on the ground floor before it begins. The future of Valiant lies at your fingertips in Bloodshot #8, don’t let it slip away!

Comic Book News

Review: The Walking Dead #107

Like a rolling thunderstorm, The Walking Dead #107, begins with a cavalcade of chaos that assaults the senses but then mellows out to a distant calm leaving us weary, jubilant for the coming sunshine and hopeful for a better tomorrow.

With all the hype and expectation of something “BIG” to occur in this issue, fans may be taken aback by the subtle change in the overall tone of the end to the “Something To Fear” storyline. There is no grand execution of major characters as may have been perceived by fans and critics alike, but rather a more disturbing look into the bi-polar mannerisms of the Neegan character. There is something truly disturbing about a man who projects his hate and anger into the form of an inanimate object just to believe that his “bad deeds” are not all his doing. It is all the fault of “Lucille” that certain things must be done, a barbed wire wrapped baseball bat that is Neegan’s most cherished possession that will exact punishment with blinding fury!

Tonally, The Walking Dead #107 becomes something different than all the others leading up to it. The fear of what may happen to Carl is dealt with rather quickly creating a a release for all the anxiety fans have been holding onto all these months. It is a shift that is more than welcome and sets the stage for a bigger story arc on the way, one where we may see hope rise once again into the hearts and minds of our disheveled heroes. One that will bring a bigger depth to the world Kirkman has created and give the reader a chance to breathe easier as they can focus on deeper characterization and less on shock and awe.

Some may be disappointed while others may be relieved, regardless, things change in this issue. I for one, thought that it was the weakest of the entire arc and did not have the emotional pull that the others manifested so well. Although the story stayed true to the rest of the tale, it was a decent wrap up issue, a great launch pad for the bigger world for the Walking Dead.

Buy it for the definitive fate of one of the most beloved characters, stay for an open door of possibilities!

Comic Book News

Review: Batman #17

This is it! The finale of the “Death Of The Family” arc, by the dynamic duo of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo, has hit the shelves and everyone has been clamoring over just what the Joker has been planning for dinner!

A visually intense and emotionally jarring tale awaits you in the pages of Batman #17, one that fans will be heatedly discussing on whether the tale truly paid off or if it was just an ending filled with mediocrity. Personally, I thought it was a combination of both aspects. Part of me was satisfied with the way Snyder exposed the overall “death” of the family, creating a new and intriguing future for the “Bat” kids that has never been truly done before. Part of me was anxiously awaiting something horrifying and epic in scope that would exponentially change the characterization, tone and over all future for Bats. That part of me is still waiting for something that will never come and lies confused, broken and disappointed with the entire issue.

Portions of Snyder and Capullo’s tale resonate with me deeply while others left me wanting so much more than what was given. The coming crescendo of a masterful performance up to that point, fell flat. The build up to issue #17 was pitch perfect but the tale we were given within the finale seemed like it was done using a completely different character than the one that murdered an entire force of the G.C.P.D.in a matter of minutes! When faced with his obsession, the Joker crumbled into a character that we thought was buried under Snyder’s watch, never to return.

I have mixed emotions over this grand finale. Torn between awe and disappointment, I will admit that the final few pages were outstanding! A wrap up worthy of the entire arc that will leave a smile on your face, and you didn’t even need Joker gas to get it!

Movie News Reviews

Top 10 Worst Movie Girlfriends

(some of) The Worst Girlfriends/Wives in Movies

By: Lawrence Napoli

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FU Valentine’s Day! It clearly exists as a sadistic conspiracy to swindle hard earned cash that could be used for rent, food or whatever the hell else you need to survive. Blowing money left and right for someone you think will always be there for you, be honest with you and take care of you is completely delusional. Turn on the news to see how charitable people can be. If it’s one thing people have proven, it’s that they cannot be counted on. Betrayal is in our blood, so we’re all better off relying on ourselves. This is a pathetic list of truly exceptional succubi in movies which is proof positive that some women can leave you a bitter, broken, little man for any reason, but probably because of the fun of it. Valentine’s Day is the ultimate slap in the face to decent people minding their own business because it brings all these lovey-dovey types out of the woodwork; exposing the rest of us to their gut wrenching affection which is clearly an elaborate front for getting laid. These are some of the worst girlfriends and wives in movies and the reasons why February 14^th is more like Friday the 13^th, so hopefully that soul-sucking monster doesn’t hack off your genitalia and chuck it, Lorena Bobbit-style.

(Editor’s Note: Head on over here for Lawrence’s Top 10 Best Movie Girfriends list)

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**10) Kat in 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)**

Kat’s got to be the least scathing of the worst for the simple fact she actually gets together with Patrick by the end of this film [Please note: she’s the only one on this list to do so]. But look what she does in the mean time. Besides being a mightier than thou feminist and incredibly short tempered she is completely incapable of detecting any semblance of good will being thrown her direction. She hates her sister for being more attractive than her, she hates all men for 1 taking advantage of her and there’s simply no pleasing someone who is at the center of her own universe at all times. There’s no way Patrick stays with this girl if the story were to continue years from now because she proves that the power of self love is unequaled. Who needs love from someone else?

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**9) Jo in Rounders (1998)**

What is worse than a girlfriend that lures you into a fall sense of safety? Jo hooks up with Mike Mc. D in law school, but the problem is Mike’s a wicked good card player and he lost 30 grand to a Russian mobster. Jo demands him to never go back to cards, but staying away from Poker is difficult for someone with a gift to play it and instead of helping him through it, she is always distrustful of where he’s been, what he’s been doing and of course, the constant nagging makes it that much worse. She rifles through his clothing while he bathes like she’s looking for other women’s panties stuffed in his pockets. She has the unmitigated gall for berating Mike for using his Poker acumen to get in good with his law professors and that the only way to make it is by truly earning it. “Earning it?” This is law school Jo! This is what shysters do! And what does Mike get for all his trouble staying out of the card game? He gets no note, no bedding and an empty apartment with no explanation. Thanks for the memories Jo.

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**8) Carmen in Starship Troopers (1997)**

You know you’re in trouble if you’ve already told a girl that you love her and you need to ask her to say it back to you. Carmen is a beautiful, personable and intelligent creature who is as dense as it comes to the state of the universe. She views joining up with the Global Federation like one of Stewie Griffin’s sexy parties where she can fly a giant spaceship. She’s so full of herself that she makes course corrections to her superior’s course navigations while still being a snot-nosed rookie. This is the kind of woman who knows full well what hot sh*t she is and really could care less about anything or anyone else that isn’t inside her tunnel vision. Plus, you’ve got to love her exit strategy with Johnny Rico: a vid message from light years away saying: [and I paraphrase] I’m going career military. That doesn’t leave too much time for us. Don’t forget to write.

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**7) Summer in 500 Days of Summer (2009)**

Tom is a hopeless romantic pining for nothing more than something beautiful in a relationship. He meets Summer, a beautiful woman who defies every convention and is a breath of fresh air when it comes to chicks that are cool, or so Tom thought. Her care free attitude about life seems like some sort of higher plane thought processes, but is really an elaborate front for a girl who really doesn’t have a clue. She’s moody, unpredictable and a complete and total hypocrite. After spending genuine days of pure magic with Tom over the course of their dating lives, she drops bombs like “I’m not the marrying type,” when that was exactly what he wanted with her, only to turn around shortly after their break up to marry some other guy. What the hell? She’s like: OMG, I’m totally full of it. Sorry about that. At least she apologizes (kind of), but still represents the ultimate tease for someone who came off as the answer to one man’s prayers only to be the source of his nightmares and negative energy.

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**6) Roxie Hart in Chicago (2002)**

So Roxie’s a down-on-her-luck kind of gal who isn’t particularly thrilled with being married to Mr. Cellophane so she starts messing around with some other swinging dick. Strike 1. She shoots the dude she’s having an affair with, goes to prison and follows a ludicrous defense strategy to use her pathetic husband’s sympathy on the stand to get her off the hook in court. Strike 2. Then she decides to go into show business with her co-femme fatale making a mockery of women using sex and guns to get their way by all means necessary. Strike 3, she’s out! Roxie is no feminist; she’s a reverse misogynist with tits. Her husband Amos is the only decent human being in the whole film and she treats him like garbage. Did I mention she lies about being pregnant with his child to score extra pity points with the jury during the trial? Yeah, that happened too.

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**5) Jean Grey/Phoenix in X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)**

I don’t need to remind anyone here about Jean playing both sides of the field between Logan and Scott, but suffice it to say for being an exceptionally talented telekinetic, she is surprisingly weak willed when it comes to men. Jean Grey had sacrificed herself to save all her fellow mutants in X2, which is something really good. Unfortunately, she survives to become an infinitely powerful super being called The Phoenix who is a complete slave to her emotions and she really likes the negative feelings. Thus, the first thing she does after emerging from the murky depths is to vaporize the man that would be her husband. The only thing that remained was his sunglasses.

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**4) Fox in Wanted (2008)**

Ever get the feeling you were being played in a relationship from the very beginning? Wesley, despite being trained into a super powered assassin, is actually being played by everyone for basically the entire film. Fox, however, is the worst offender and although they never actually formalize their relationship, these two are attached at the hip and the mouth for a decent length of the film. An intense training/getting to know you process occurs between the two, but none of that penetrated Fox as her mission to use Wesley as bait (expendable bait) never truly shakes. She’s not particularly big on sharing her feelings or with being honest, but she does manage to avoid killing Wesley by killing herself. A better suggestion would be to just shoot the bad guy.

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**3) Andy in The Devil Wears Prada (2006)**

If your relationship is failing, you must be doing really well at work. That is some severely messed up logic, but apparently totally fine for the business-minded female professional of today. Her relationship with Nate is never something that has a chance when an opportunity to suckle at the power teet that belongs to Miranda Priestly comes calling. Nate’s constantly getting blown off, neglected and forgotten. What’s worse is that Andy pulls this same junk on all of her former friends before she assumed the position of Beelzebub. Andy eventually breaks it off with Nate all together because she’s a fabulous fashion industry professional who has flings with random men during fashion shows. I don’t have a problem with professional women, but they should never have delusions of grandeur that they can have her cake and eat it too. If something is important, you make the time. Andy had zero time for Nate.

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**2) Marion in Requiem for a Dream (2000)**

Cocaine is a hell of a drug! Ok, so it was heroin in this particular film, but let’s carefully examine the character of Marion: pretty little thing with no real responsibility, whose apartment is being paid for by her parents and has an ambitious little drug dealing boyfriend by the name of Harry showering her with gifts, fun, attention and plenty of snow. It’s difficult for me to have any sympathy for Harry because he is a severe horse’s ass, but I guess it takes one to love one, or so it seems. Marion really falls for the high of heroin and she proceeds to go to extreme lengths to get more. She carries on with the psychologist she used to have an affair with for money and she volunteers for gang bang duty for pure product. What seals Marion as a terrible girlfriend is her violent reaction to Harry not scoring more H from a mass supply deal gone bad where the buyers rushed the sellers in desperation and they responded by showering the crowd with bullets. Harry’s lucky to have escaped with his life and she’s pissed he didn’t get drugs.

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**1) Asami in Audition (1999)**

Shigeharu’s wife dies and he is stricken with depression and loneliness, but with the help of his friend in the film business, he comes up with a way to get back into the dating scene. Granted, holding an audition for a fake part that’s really interviewing women with potential for Shigeharu to date is dirty, but even he doesn’t deserve what he gets; namely, a closet psychopath who puts on a great performance to tell men exactly what they want to hear only to bring her wrath down upon them all. Asami makes Shigeharu fall in love with her so naturally she responds with assaulting him at his home, torturing him with acupuncture needles, cutting off his left foot and plots to murder his son. Asami represents the danger of intense obsession, the likes of which make Fatal Attraction seem like Sesame Street in comparison.

Movie News Reviews

Top 10 Best Movie Girlfriends

(Some of) The Best Girlfriends/Wives in Movies

By: Lawrence Napoli

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:5651:]]Happy Valentine’s Day! February 14^th may be considered a shameless money grab that makes you want to gag over the rampant PDA by people who seem far too happy to be genuine. But maybe (just maybe) you have someone special in your life you’d be willing to swallow your pride for and participate in a little conventional gift giving, smile sharing and love making. This is a day for love, but not necessarily romance because one doesn’t require a sexy sweetheart to appreciate this day. This isn’t a definitive list by any means, but the women in some of these films are the kind of companions that can fill the human heart with pure joy for their kindness, their talent, their courage and their dedication. These characteristics and much more combine into what makes someone truly beautiful and we would be remiss to not see these elements in the real people we love in our lives. These are some of the best girlfriends and wives in movies and the reasons why they can show us some personal meaning to Valentine’s Day.

(Editor’s Note: Head on over here for Lawrence’s Top 10 Worst Movie Girlfriends list)

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**10) Nina in Bulworth (1998)**

Sometimes the sorts of people that “get” us aren’t exactly the ones we would consider “our type.” Nina is a young, black woman looking to find some cash to pay off the dangerous men her brother owes money to. Economically lucrative opportunities in the ghetto aren’t exactly robust so she involves herself in an assassination plot to kill US Senator Jay Billington Bulworth. The man is more than twice her age and as white as the day is long, but the Senator’s crazy political renaissance incorporating brutal honesty with hip-hop charisma draws her to the man. She surprises Bulworth with her political acumen and impresses him with her coolness under pressure. She also has an uncanny ability to get Bulworth to cut loose on the dance floor and show a fun side he certainly never knew existed. Their relationship is strong enough to introduce him to her family and to dissuade her from putting a bullet in his skull. Sounds like a keeper to me, too bad corporate America had other ideas for Bulworth.

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**9) Trish in The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005)**

Sometimes the people we get involved with accept us despite our personal eccentricities that would otherwise drive some people up the wall, off a cliff and into an insane asylum. The fact that Andy is a 40 year old virgin is only one thing. His social anxiety, self esteem issues and inability to relinquish his childhood would equate him to a jellyfish for most women. However, Trish sees the genuine attraction he has for her, the sweetness in his heart and the care he shows for her daughter. These are all significant pluses in a potential mate and so Trish pays Andy back with two of the most important things a woman can give a man. No, I don’t mean THOSE. I mean patience and understanding. This allows Andy and Trish to understand each other and the issues each bring to the table as well and their efforts culminate in a marriage that is meaningful.

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**8) Leeloo in The Fifth Element (1997)**

Strong women are very independent and don’t exactly require a lot of coddling or superfluous attention. That may be an instant attraction to some, but despite Leeloo’s strength, superior intelligence and keen fashion sense, the fact remains that she’s a magnet for trouble and completely ill equipped to save the universe herself. Leeloo is revered for being “the superior being” whose body happens to be the final component in the weapon against evil, but it is her vulnerability that inspires Corbin Dallas to think way outside the box of his military training in helping her mission. Simply seeing her smile amends Corbin’s cynical outlook on people and opens his heart to the possibility of love. Yeah, yeah, it took “the perfect woman” to do this for Corbin, but I think the real message was that finding someone who was “perfect” for us as individuals could have the same effect.

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**7) Becky in Clerks II (2006)**

They say “never date anyone you work with” and the main reason for that is the inevitable conflict that arises when the politics of the job interfere with the politics of the relationship. That may be true of work places that can be considered “career worthy,” but what if you work at a lesser establishment? Work romances can often be one of the only good things to come out of “jobby jobs” and this was certainly the case for Dante. Becky and Dante get to know each other in an environment where talking about each other’s gossip was the priority of the day. Talking to someone in this manner over the course of time allows two people to really get to know several sides of each other to the point where they had a one night stand. Becky throws Dante a curve by revealing she’s pregnant, but sometimes shock can inspire positive activity. Dante snaps out of his “woe is me” attitude on everything to realize what he truly wants: a life with Becky. There’s something to be said of a girlfriend that makes you get your sh*t together.

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**6) Cassandra in Wayne’s World (1992)**

How cool is it to be with someone who’s into the same stuff you’re interested in? Suddenly, you don’t have to get the boys together to talk about music, movies, video games, anime, comic books, Star Wars, Star Trek, Magic the Gathering . . . well, you know what I mean. Not only is Cassandra an exceptional rocker to compliment our hero, Wayne Campbell (excellent), but she is gorgeous, career minded and motivated. Basically, she is everything that Wayne isn’t which is somewhat curious to anyone with a pulse as to why she’s attracted to him in the first place. How kind hearted is Cassandra? Well, she likes Wayne because he makes her laugh and because he’s a good person. This is the kind of woman that can make a man change his tune for the better or completely take for granted. Thankfully, Wayne is positively impacted, but even if he messed it up (which he almost did multiple times), Cassandra would be a great movie girlfriend for any character.

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**5) Neytiri in Avatar (2009)**

Finding love in the most unlikely of places is the starting point of the relationship between Neytiri and Jake. They aren’t even the same species, yet a connection was made between them as warriors. Jake was more than physically crippled; having lost a twin brother, a reason to fight and a reason to live. Needless to say, he didn’t ship off to Pandora in the best mental state. As Neytiri trained Jake in the ways of the Na’vi, she was teaching him about life, its interconnection with nature and the importance of community. Finding someone that can open your eyes to completely new perspectives on how you previously experienced life can be a soul altering experience, but one that can lead to untold attraction and bliss. Jake was reborn on Pandora and he found a companion that pushed him every step of the way while finding moments of levity amidst the interplanetary conflict between their people.

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**4) Pepper Potts in Iron Man (2008)**

So you’re a billionaire, genius, playboy, philanthropist who doesn’t have a particular interest in the mundane toils of actually running your own business. Naturally, you acquire the services of someone who can do that for you, but not just anyone could tolerate the difficulties of dealing with the enigma that is Tony Stark. Pepper has an unfathomable surplus of patience, maternal instinct and down to Earth pragmatism that grounds Tony in such a spectacular way that he realizes that Pepper is the only woman for him. Pepper can handle Tony’s ego maniacal persona because deep down she believes in his brilliance and his heart and that he has something genuinely good to give the world. Any other woman could easily fall for Tony’s money, but Pepper knows the real man behind the spectacle. A woman that loves you for who you truly are is a precious gift. Realizing that she has discovered such truth is priceless.

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**3) Trinity in The Matrix Saga (1999-2003)**

What if love was truly destined? Would that mean the efforts of so many people around the world to find it were making a vain attempt to control their lives? Trinity, a cyber warrior of Zion is hit with this kind of information in addition to the fact that her relationship with Neo would confirm the fact that he was “the one” to save the world. No pressure. Despite a modest attraction to Neo’s “pretty eyes,” there wasn’t much to be said of this noob fresh out of The Matrix. Neo’s main problem in surviving and thriving in this completely new reality is not ability, but belief and it is his observation and admiration of Trinity’s sense of duty, love for her shipmates and belief in the cause of “saving the world” which inspires Neo to believe in himself. This unlocks his various abilities to overcome all odds, which in turn, attracts Trinity right back to him. This is the power of symbiotic belief in each other which can be more powerful than any other similarity or synergy to justify the relationship. All you need is love, but it certainly doesn’t hurt if you look good in tight leather outfits.

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**2) Helen in True Lies (1994)**

Mrs. Helen Tasker is a textbook housewife leading a textbook life, but she has the dubious task of having to deal with a significant betrayal by her husband Harry for discovering he has been a secret agent for the entirety of their marriage and, for all intents and purposes, is a completely different man. What makes her a good wife is that she doesn’t leave Harry immediately even though she’d be completely justified in doing so. What makes her a great wife is understanding that she still loves him despite everything and shows it by risking her life to step into Harry’s dangerous world of seductive intrigue to save her family, her husband and the old US of A. Finding someone you want to marry is not particularly easy, but it is frightening how quickly one can succumb to comfort and routine once the union is formed which takes the supposed “love of your life” immediately for granted. Helen proves that to forgive is truly divine, but Harry really was a royal jerk for keeping that kind of secret from her, even if it was for her own protection.

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**1) Jennifer in Marley & Me (2008)**

Any long lasting relationship needs love and its complimentary emotions to deal with the inevitable stress life throws our way. John Grogan is a decent guy all around, but gets freaked out by his wife’s desire to have children. John uses Marley the puppy as a delaying tactic, but winds up introducing even more stress to their lives. Jennifer is constantly berated with issues like uncertainties with her husband’s job, unsafe neighborhoods, her biological clock and the K9 from hell. She loses her temper frequently, but keeps it together and apologizes for hurtful comments made in the heat of the moment. She genuinely cares for her man with moments like throwing a surprise birthday party as well as giving him his special gift afterwards. She even makes herself and the children available to take a huge risk by moving to a completely new city, just because John wants a crack at reporting for a newspaper as opposed to simply writing columns. This is the kind of woman who desires true partnership and a willingness to be with you through thick and thin. Valentine’s Day is an extra day of appreciation for this kind of person in your life should you be blessed to have one.

Movie News Reviews

Film Review of The Hobbit: An Unexpected journey

More Lord of the Rings?

A Film Review of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

By: Lawrence Napoli

[*Note, the reviewer did see this film opening weekend but met up with health complications which is why this review is coming out now.]

Peter Jackson is to be credited for making The Lord of the Rings trilogy an instant classic featuring incredible cinematography, costume design, set design, visual effects and performance which garnered unparalleled success from “The Academy” for the fantasy genre by winning best picture of the year for Return of the King. That kind of legendary success makes any follow-up film or franchise a tad anticlimactic; that is, unless one decides to go back to the same well of success. The danger inherent of revisiting iconic greatness of the past is that the new story will always be compared to the original which is completely unfair and totally natural. Would the Star Wars prequels not have been be considered as inferior to episodes 4-6 had they been released chronologically? The prized fiction of the Tolkien estate will now go through the exact same scrutiny with a second trek through Middle Earth with another trilogy which happens to be a prequel tale.

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Once more into the breach.

Let me be perfectly clear. This first installment of The Hobbit looks, sounds and feels a little too much like Fellowship of the Ring. A group of adventurers assemble to go on a quest, a ton of walking is featured, there are plenty of fights with monsters, there is a riveting escape through a subterranean stronghold and Gandalf is back with a bearded vengeance. These are the facts of this film’s plot and they are undisputed. Now, I didn’t just spoon feed the entire movie, but these elements combine for the vast majority of the screen time and none of it seems fresh. The leader of the Dwarven expedition has the same personality and looks (minus height) of Aragorn. The countryside of New Zealand is as vast and beautiful as the landscapes from every other LotR film. Although trolls and goblins are featured more as antagonists, they serve the same function as orcs: brutal antagonists that are grotesque looking. The goblin lair looks eerily similar to and was shot with the same bird’s eye view and dynamic angles as the Mines of Moria sequence. Gandalf still shows off his intimidating “scolding spell” where his shadow expands and his voice gets super deep and loud so as to get his point across with zero talk-back. Been there; done that.

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These nasties are fatter than I’m used to.

Screenwriters Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson and Guillermo del Toro wrote these elements into the screenplay because they are easy connections for the audience to make with the LotR trilogy which generates familiarity with The Hobbit. I’m not entirely sure how critical these overt connections are to the story when the setting, environments and ambiance of Middle Earth such as the Shire and Rivendale are themselves so rich and unmistakably LotR that it would have been nice to spend more time exploring Bilbo Baggins, the person, prior to this adventure. As it is, the audience is given a peripheral glance at the main character’s lineage via Gandalf and the audience is to simply accept that this Hobbit in particular should be more prominent than pursuing a simple existence of peace and serenity. Bilbo’s motive for eventually risking life and limb for the ragtag group of dwarves is understandable, but not entirely personal. Unlike Frodo, who carries the burden of the one ring specifically to save the Shire (and Middle Earth by extension); Bilbo is shamed into not being bored anymore. What we have here is a plot that suffers from stakes that aren’t as high as an army of darkness threatening to conquer all of Middle Earth. It’s almost like the difference between a space station that blows up planets versus a trade federation blockade. If the story cannot be written to be more grandiose than it is, an opportunity to make it more personal is ripe for the picking and this simply didn’t happen in The Hobbit. Yes, yes, we have to get right into the sword fights ASAP, but the action alone didn’t make LotR great. Why should it be any different for The Hobbit?

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Do they expect me to use this bloody thing?

For all the similarities The Hobbit has with the LotR trilogy, one extremely good thing they share in common is the overall production value that never ceases to amaze with every frame. The lighting is beautiful, the set pieces are tremendous, the costumes are superb, the weapons look gorgeous, the landscapes are breathtaking and the CG work is clean and seamless. I give two thumbs way, way up for production designer Dan Hennah, art director Simon Bright and cinematographer Andrew Lesnie. I didn’t even mind the 3D element of the visual presentation although this effect never comes close to being described as “a vital element to the viewing experience.” Unfortunately, I seem to have watched The Hobbit at the standard 3D frame rate so I cannot comment on the utter horror that some are expressing over the 48 FPS controversy. I simply consider myself fortunate for not experiencing something else that may have sullied the film for me because visual style was one of the best aspects of this movie.

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The culinary talents of trolls.

Performances are once again a high point for this fantasy story and it all begins with Ian McKellen as Gandalf. Although this is meant to be Bilbo’s story, there is no question that Gandalf is the engine and McKellen delivers a carbon copied, heart-warming performance that harkens back to the original trilogy as if it were created yesterday. He is every bit the grandfatherly sage who oozes charisma and respect which is vital for this kind of story because Gandalf’s character is responsible for a healthy amount of exposition which needs to be relayed to the audience without boredom setting in. Perhaps the most enjoyable part of McKellen’s performance is his variety of vocal intonation from calm and soothing, to worried and troubled, to enraged and aggressive.

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I’m cuter than Aragorn because I come in bite size.

Bilbo Baggins is initially reprised by actor Ian Holm who played an elderly Bilbo in the original trilogy, but as The Hobbit is a tale of Bilbo’s youth, Martin Freeman assumes the mantle of the protagonist for this tale. Bilbo is perhaps one of the most unassuming, everyman characters in all of fiction, thus the need to communicate genuine shock and awe at this amazing new world that gets opened up to him thanks to Gandalf, is essential. Freeman is an excellent choice for this part as his mannerisms (particularly in his face) sell Bilbo far better than any line of dialogue. Freeman is clearly going for common pragmatism in his approach to this hobbit (as opposed to misty-eyed altruism in Elijah Wood’s Frodo) which produces excellent reactions on his part in scenes where his character acts uncharacteristically brave and Bilbo is stunned at what he just did.

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Why does everyone take advantage of me?

The supporting cast, however, is somewhat of a disappointment to me. No, this criticism does not apply in one instance to Andy Serkis whose continued performance as Gollum is masterful, creepy, amusing and sly. It does directly apply to the primary antagonist or rather the lack of a singular identifiable threat. Certainly, Gollum is the one ring’s initial bearer and an obstruction in Bilbo’s path, but he isn’t particularly nefarious due to the sympathetic manner he is presented on the screen. The orc lord that hunts the dwarven expedition is about as cookie-cutter as monsters get and reminds me of the utter irrelevance of every orc that came before in the original trilogy. The exact same thing can be said of the Goblin King. Although this film does contain an appearance from Saruman, he isn’t quite the evil bastard he becomes.

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Is precious the MVP of this film?

I simply did not care for any of the dwarven companions. It has less to do with their independent performances and more with the fact there are so many of them with so few lines and equally rare opportunities to be relevant on screen. The original “fellowship” had far fewer members with a more diverse racial composition which is indispensable for the audience’s ability to identify and compartmentalize each character’s contributions. The one shining spot was the group’s brief performance of “Far Over the Misty Mountains Cold” in Bilbo’s house which was eerily warm and a nice addendum to the CG, fantasy and violence.

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The mountains are lovely, dark and deep.

The Hobbit is a very good film, but mark my words. Not one of these Hobbit films will equal the greatness of any individual chapter of The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Taking one book and spreading out the plot thin enough to accommodate three films may be an adaptation strategy that pays off in the future, but not for this prequel trilogy and especially not if Peter Jackson is hell bent on presenting it in the same form as the originals. I realize that the story is building up to an epic confrontation with Smaug the dragon, but as spectacular as I’m sure that sequence will be, the audience needs something else to peak our interests in the meanwhile. So many film franchises these days are featuring large casts with marquee actors filling out the roster and the method of balancing story with character seems to be the real trick to making good films versus great films. Only time will tell if the story of The Hobbit will step up its game with The Desolation of Smaug set for release this coming December.

Comic Book News

Review: Shadowman #4

The Shadowman series culminates in issue four with astounding action sequences and more than a little intrigue to whet your appetite. Let’s just say this book has it all!

The battle in the Deadside continues as Shadowman realizes that he is not only there to save Alyssa. He is there to battle Mr.Twist to the death as the fate of the world hangs in the balance. Not only would he lose Alyssa to the hands of nefarious soul draining ghouls if he loses, he would become the catalyst for Master Darque to roam the world once more!

The writing abilities of Justin Jordan and Patrick Zircher have become synonymous with pure adrenaline! Shadowman is a constant barrage to the senses both visually and conceptually, each issue leaves you breathless! Issue four is the pinnacle of all out action layered with deep intrigue and heaps of emotional duress. A fledgling hero with untested powers is all that stands between the tyrannical return of unfettered madness to the world and certain death — of course there will be emotional duress! But this book isn’t all about the action, Jordan and Zircher have begun to flesh out Shadowman as a character, his lack of trust in himself, his acceptance of his new found powers and his bond with Alyssa are all explored here. It gives the reader a much needed look at Jack Boniface as a person dealing with all the strange predicaments he now finds himself in, especially taking on the mantle of Shadowman!

Patrick Zircher’s art is overtly majestic, exuding pure excitement from every page! Every diminutive detail has been scrutinized, highly rendered to the finest detail and executed flawlessly, creating a book filled with 32 pages of masterpieces! For my four dollars, there has been no other book that I can say has been continually this visually stunning in recent months. Completely stunning!

Valiant has been putting out some amazing books since their debut last year and Shadowman has been one of the best! You owe it to yourself to dive into the Deadside, you only have your soul to lose!

Comic Book News

Review: Harbinger #0

Before the Harbinger Wars erupts this April, you need to know what started it all!

In the days following the bombing of Hiroshima, a young boy walks the streets in search of his father. What he encounters is a broken, diseased and depraved new world that has enveloped this once simple town. It is the actions of man, prior to and after the bombing, that will forever change the life of Toyo Harada. This once innocent boy has had everything burned away, the being left standing in it’s wake — will become a harbinger of change for the entire Valiant Universe!

I have stated before how fantastic a storyteller Joshua Dysart is, with Harbinger #0, he has surpassed all previous praise. The origin story of Toyo Harada is one of the most harrowing tales I have read in recent years. It is an in depth look at how the actions of man can forever change the world, in the blink of an eye everything can be gone and something new created. Man, god and monster can become grouped into a single entity and all it takes is an action. Dysart encases his tale of the birth of a monster with an overwhelming sense of empathy. Toyo Harada is a product of the comportment of others, he never asked to become what he has, but he will never let it happen again.

Dysart convinces the reader that Harada’s actions have a plausible justice to them, creating a morality play of ones conscience. Are the horrific actions of a man justified if they are done to others that have blood on their hands? But what if he hurts innocents in his actions? Are his atrocities still justified because his own innocence was torn asunder? The grey area of what justice truly means is a hard one to discern and Harbinger #0 will leave you pondering it for a very long time.

Dysart has created a tale that far surpasses the conventional approach to the comics genre, a true case of how magnificent and personal the world of comics can be! So, be sure to add Harbinger to your MUST have list each month, you will be astounded by how thought provoking a book can be!

Comic Book News

The “DOC’s” Top Of The Pile — 2/6/2013

The “DOC’s” Top Of The Pile

By: Chris “DOC” Bushley

( A weekly quick pick of the five titles that should reside at the top of your pull list. IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER! )

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1. Green Arrow #17 (DC): Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino are the new creative team and they have completely leveled the the playing field in the world of Green Arrow! Everything begins new here — this is how it should have been from the beginning! Emotionally dismayed and financially broke, Oliver Queen has to finally deal with life like everyone else. But, not only that, he has to deal with explosions, murders and a brand new character that won’t rest until Ollie is dead. It’s one bad day for Green Arrow but an amazing one for readers! Check out my full review here!

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2. Snapshot #1 (Image): The creative team that brought you Losers, Andy Diggle and Jock, are back again with a completely unnerving tale about leaving things that don’t belong to you alone. What do you do if you find a cell phone laying around, and what do you do when that cell phone contains pictures of a murder victim? If you are Jake Dobson, you run like hell! Amazing book that will completely unnerve you!

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3. Harbinger #0 (Valiant): An origin of one of Valiant’s greatest villains, Toyo Harada, shows just how the depravity of the human condition will exponentially change a person. It is a glimpse into humanity at it’s worst in the days following the bombing of Hiroshima and how a newly “gifted” little boy can survive it’s horrors by — becoming one of them himself. It has terrific characterization and the perfect jumping on point before the Harbinger Wars crossover!

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4. Hit-Girl #5 (Icon/Marvel): This is the bloodiest, goriest, most over the top book of the week! When the badguys come knocking at Mindy’s door and threaten her family, there is only one thing to do — kick some @$$! From silencers, knives, chainsaws, a wood chipper and the most brutal rolling pin scene ever recorded; Hit-Girl is a whirlwind of brutality that is not for the feint of heart — but we love it oh so much anyway!

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5. Daredevil: End of Days #5 (of 8) (Marvel): Brian Michael Bendis and his longtime Daredevil collaborator David Mack, have converged once again to tell one of the most compelling DD stories to date. Following reporter Ben Urich, as he tries to find out information regarding the death of Daredevil, Bendis and Mack have made the future of DD an awesome tribute for all DD fans to fall in love with! It is chock full of classic DD heroes and villains, creating a veritable “who’s who” of Marvel characters! From Elektra and Punisher all the way to Bushwacker and Bullet, End of Days will make any DD fan cringe in delight and savor the nostalgia as Urich tries to find the meaning behind the word,”Mapone.” A truly fantastic read!

Comic Book News Marvel

Advanced Review: Superior Spider-Man #3

Dan Slott has been under fire since he unleashed the biggest sacrilege in comics history — killing Peter Parker! As frenzied as fans were over it, they became ravenous after it was revealed the Superior Spider-Man was actually Doc Ock in Peter Parker’s body. Personally, I excepted the change but wished that Slott had not revealed his hand so quickly at the end of the first issue. Peter’s ghost was already back and Superior Spider-Man became a comically unbalanced version of the movie Ghost throughout issue two. I had wished Slott’s vision for this book would have relied more on the “revenge of Doc Ock” aspect, truly letting the villain unleash with his newly acquired powers and destroy the good name of his archnemesis. Well, today, we get a glimpse of that unleashing and my dismay over this book is slowly abating.

I will give no spoilers (sorry Mr. Slott, we all don’t do that) for the ending is something I think you will all enjoy. There is a moment in this tale where we see into Otto’s past, a brutal life that even his biggest foe can empathize with, and it becomes a catalyst for what occurs. The cracks in this faux hero’s facade begin to deepen, not only threatening his secret but the very lives of those who ponder something is amiss with Peter Parker.

This is the first issue of this series that I did not cringe out of the sheer annoyance of the Superior Spider-Man character. There was no hokey dialogue that feigned hilarity, nor was there any overt creepiness over M.J. and the mere thought of bedding her. This issue was pure action from the opening salvo but it wasn’t just a “good ol’ slobber knocker” either. Slott laced his tale with hints of characterization that actually solidified the character as opposed to hindering him, making this reader finally feel truly interested in his further development.

Ryan Stegman continues to make this Spidey, or any for that matter, a complete treat for the eyes. His darker tone for this book is completely stunning, but it his constant effort to bring new and intriguing visual aspects to the fight sequences that push his art to a higher level. From high flying punches to an emotionally distraught child, Stegman makes the page pop with pure electricity!

Though this might not be your cup of tea, I am slowly coming around to Slott’s overall vision. I can do without “ghost Peter” for awhile, but I get it and it’s worming it’s way in. I must say though, kudos for the creative team for printing both positive and negative reactions to Slott’s tale in the letters column. The negative comments are unabashed slams and it takes guts to publicly print the sheer amount that they have. Color me impressed.

Comic Book News

Advanced Review: Green Arrow #17

Jeff Lemire wastes no time turning a faltering book on it’s ear, creating a fresh and visually stunning book that will get fans raving about the “Emerald Archer” again!

Let’s not pull any punches, Green Arrow has been a book that has failed to hit its mark from the initial issue under the leadership of J.T. Krull. And the recent issues by Ann Nocenti, haven’t been able to truly find the “voice” of Oliver Queen, either. Overall, the New 52 version of Green Arrow – as both a character and a book – has been less of a thrill ride and more of a slow descent into obscurity for fans.

Today, all of that changes!

Fan favorite, Jeff Lemire (Animal Man, Justice League Dark, Sweet Tooth), has taken over the reins and has set the world of Oliver Queen ablaze. Literally! There are going to be some drastic changes in the setting, tone and most importantly — the characters of this book. Everything you knew before will be burned away and what is left, is a character that has been broken down to his core elements. He has become, again, a character that must learn to survive with absolutely nothing; there will be no quarter given — he must prove his worthiness on his own!

As fresh and exciting as Jeff Lemire’s tale is, the artistic talent of Andrea Sorrentino (I, Vampire) raises it to an entirely other level! There is an unmistakable realism in Sorrentino’s art that solidifies this tale with a more “urban” feel. The spectacle of the brightly colored super hero has been replaced with a darker tone that matches Lemire’s “breaking of a hero” tale perfectly. It is rich and moody, creating a feeling of an underlying dread that is awaiting Oliver around every corner. It is a visual masterpiece that will stun fans optic nerves as much as Lemire’s tale will rock them emotionally!

Lemire and Sorrentino burn away the last sixteen issues of a mediocre series and leave it in ashes. But what emerges from the minds of this extremely talented duo will catapult this series back into the spotlight for 2013! You owe it to yourself to reexamine Green Arrow, it’s a bullseye!

Comic Book News

Batman: Death Of The Family Recap: What Is The Joker Planning?

Just What The DOC Ordered

“Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner?”

By: Chris “DOC” Bushley

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(Before you read this, beware! Spoilers Dead Ahead!)

The Joker has been cutting a bloody swath through the streets of Gotham and no one is safe! The G.C.P.D., Commissioner Gordon, the entire cast of Haley’s Circus, Barbara Eileen (Batgirl’s mother) and Alfred have all felt the wrath of this demonic character. But it’s not just the families and friends of the “Bat Family” that have been forced to kneel before the “Clown Prince” — it is the heroes as well!

Scott Snyder and the entire cast and crew that make up EVERY aspect of EVERY “Bat” related character, has been creating an extremely dark and twisted tale in the last few issues of there respective series. From Catwoman having to play a horrific version of chess in order to get a pass from the Joker, to Damian Wayne having to fight his “father” in a battle to the death; each and every costumed character that has fought beside the Dark Knight has been put through a veritable nightmare recently. The relentless beatings and horrific mind games that the Joker has created specifically for each character have been leading up to a grand finale of sorts — a banquet of blood and hilarity that can only be devised by the Joker. But what is the main course going to be?

Batman #16, Batgirl #16, Nightwing #16, Teen Titans #16 and Batman and Robin #16 have all had the same style final page to them. Each character groggily awakens in a dark room and the Joker stands before them with a covered dish. (Example: Batgirl #16 final page below)

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The fan pages have been ablaze with speculation as to what could possible be on that tray and we will have to wait until February 13th, when Batman #17 comes out, in order to have our final answer, but let’s speculate as to what it could be, shall we?

The obvious choice would be Alfred’s head! We know that he was abducted by the Joker in Batman#13 and that some appalling things were done to him from the audio tape Bruce found. We also know that the Joker has said that he NEEDS Alfred to SERVE at the party. Whether that’s a play on words or just a statement — only Scott Snyder knows!

Could it be part of Jason Todd’s face? We see in Red Hood and the Outlaws #16 that Joker has done something to Jason’s face and is applying red paint (blood?) to the inside of his helmet before returning it to his face. He then says, “Only a face a mother can love!” as it is reapplied. Now, in Teen Titans #16, we know that the bottom half of his helmet is broken off by Red Robin, but the top is still intact. Could the Joker have disfigured Jason for cheating death oh so long ago? Maybe.

Could it be Commissioner Gordon? We haven’t seen James Gordon Sr. in a few issues but we know that he was the first to be confronted by the Joker. That confrontation has left the Commish reeling, completely taking him out of sorts and shaking the normally strong willed hero. We know his ex-wife has already lost a finger to the Joker’s demented schemes, why not hack away at the Commissioner as well? Plus, we know that deranged killer, James Jr., has already helped the Joker capture his sister, Batgirl, why not make it a family reunion?

Speaking about family reunions, could it be Tim Drake’s parents? We know that Tim Drake left his family in Witness Protection after messing with the Penguin awhile back, but does that mean anything to a man who killed two of Nightwing’s best friends and Jokerized the entire Haley’s Circus? In Teen Titans #16, we saw that he Joker already used a fake “daddy Drake” to mess with Red Robin, but that could have just been a “red herring” for the main event — “daddy dinning!”

Maybe, just maybe, it is a smorgasbord of “Bat” cuisine! Red Robin, Red Hood, Batgirl, Nightwing and Robin were all knocked out prior to them seeing the tray presented. Joker keeps calling Batman “the King,” and he, his “Royal Jester.” Perhaps the “Jester” has created a gift pleasing enough for a “king,” an array of treats brought from all the different “lands” beneath the “king’s” royal gaze. Could the tray be filled with delectable digits from the “Bat-kiddies” that were removed while they slept? You never know with the Joker — anything is possible!

All I truly know, is that the “Death of the Family” storyline has been one of the best tales in years! Appalling, horrendous and completely unnerving, Scott Snyder and crew have made the return of the Joker an amazing ride that will be talked about for years. At the end of it all, whether Alfred is gone or not, the “Bat-family” will forever be changed and I am excited as ever to see where it goes from here!

The “Death of the Family” storyline epically concludes in Batman #17, on sale February 13th, 2013! Get a glimpse of the cover below!

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Movie News Reviews

Blu-Ray Review: Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2

The Return of Robo … er, Batman

A Review of The Dark Knight Returns Part 2

By: Lawrence Napoli

Frank Miller’s seminal work in The Dark Knight Returns continues to take on new life in part 2 of the animated adaptation directed by Jay Olivia. Part 1 certainly set the table with tremendous dedication to the source material in terms of art and tone while giving the viewer an added glimpse in between the panels at some of the action that led to this tale’s most iconic moments. Part 2 follows suit quite nicely as the stakes for Batman go through the roof with Joker on the loose, the Man of Steel to contend with and lest we not forget the whole possibility of global thermo nuclear war with the Soviet Union looming in the background.

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It is on like Donkey Kong!

The art continues to be right on the mark with every character: from the creepy Ronal Reagan-inspired President to the “zombie” Superman surviving a nuclear blast to a one armed Oliver Queen “having one more crack at the boy scout.” Storyboard artists Brendan Clogher, Christie Tseng and Kirk Van Wormer working with animation checker Justin Schultz outdid themselves by mastering an art style that is unmistakable from the original, static form. It isn’t a perfect recreation, mind you. Bruce Wayne’s costume of a bag lady as he stops a convenient store stickup looks a lot like a fat version of Scarecrow from the Batman animated series. Also, the vehicles depicted in every scene continue to bother me in their blocky presentation and movement. In addition, I was not as impressed with the background art as much as the quality animation in the foreground. However, these are all very nitpicky criticisms. Overall, the art is very satisfying to see and extremely nostalgic to experience.

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Batman is an avid rider.

The voice over work, however, is a bit of a disappointment which is lamentable considering the new characters the audience is being presented in part 2. Peter Weller, once again, voices Batman and after giving him a chance in part 1, part 2 confirms that I simply cannot accept anyone not named Kevin Conroy as this character. Weller’s voice hits that one dulcet tone and never, EVER, fluctuates. You’ll remember Michael Emerson from Lost and Person of Interest and he had the opportunity to voice Joker. Although he gives a much more emotive performance than Peter Weller, Emerson clearly isn’t Mark Hamil. How can anyone possibly follow a Mark Hamil Joker? Just about every other male character: Superman (Mark Valley), Commissioner Gordon (David Selby) and Alfred Pennyworth (Michael Jackson) fail to leave any semblance of an impression. Who knew Conan O’Brien did VO work for this project as talk show host David Endocrine? I certainly didn’t because it was a total afterthought. The best vocal work continues to come from Ariel Winter as Carrie Kelley/Robin. Unfortunately, Robin has significantly less involvement in part 2 which means the audience gets less of a very good thing.

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Hi! I’m Conan O’Brien

I highly recommend purchasing the Blu Ray/DVD combo primarily because many retailers are selling them at the exact same price points as the regular DVD this week, but also because the bonus features are very interesting. The first feature is called When Heroes Collide and it features commentary from the likes of Grant Morrison, Denny O’Neil and Bruce Timm speaking on the historic comparisons between Batman and Superman, how they could ever be set against each other and who inevitably would come out on top. The segment I found most interesting was when the professionals were discussing classic comparisons to DC’s flagship characters: Superman = Zeus/Achilles vs. Batman = Prometheus/Odysseus, respectively.

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Clash of the titans!

The second feature called The Joker: Laughing in the Face of Death is a character analysis of his popularity over the course of time and how he not only represents Batman’s greatest adversary, but perhaps the greatest villain ever conceived. The audience will be treated to some fine observations by the man who invented the Joker, Jerry Robinson. He discusses his preference for overpowering his villains to pose a constant threat to the hero and presents his original art work for the character in the form of the infamous Joker playing card featured in just about every manifestation of Batman in entertainment. Also discussed is the perceived symbiosis between Batman and the Joker, specifically how Frank Miller’s work presented it almost like a constant lover’s quarrel. Is Joker really an “omni-sexual being” in The Dark Knight Returns?

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I’m too sexy for these mirrors.

The third feature involves several storyboard walkthroughs with director Jay Olivia. Olivia discusses his theories and philosophies of character and scene integration as they pertain to the scenes in question and the film in general. He comes off as a passionate director who clearly wants to do right by this adaptation and has a dedicated vision to what must stay, what must go and what must be altered from the original comics to be successful on video. This segment is a little longer as his commentary is quite thorough, but I raised an eyebrow when he discussed how he related his thoughts for action sequences by referencing other movies to his artists. Apparently, the scene that shows Commissioner Gordon embracing his wife in front of his burning apartment was inspired by Silent Hill, the movie; not the best choice in films.

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Handsome super beings like me don’t bother with films like “Silent Hill.”

The last little bonus worth mentioning is the sneak preview of the upcoming DC direct to video project called Superman: Unbound. This new project is an adaptation of the limited series created by Geoff Johns called Brainiac which involves the bottled city of Kandor, Supergirl, Superman’s overprotection of his loved ones like Lois Lane and the return of a much more threatening Brainiac. Unlike The Dark Knight Returns, this project will not seek to channel the original art style in ANY way which would be fine under normal circumstances, but I had a specific reservation about one character in particular. Brainiac is going to look almost exactly like Martian Manhunter (right down to the exact shade of green) and I simply do not understand this choice. I found it very interesting how several comments during this feature described how this project was going to “new places” with the source material or going “left of the source.” If this were really true, then why base any of these direct to video projects on existing storylines? Why not give us something new in the first place?

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Something new always puts a smile on my face.

The Dark Knight Returns Part 2 is very entertaining and totally worth buying so long as it is the BluRay/DVD combo and it’s less than $15. I was a bit upset over the fact that this movie comes with a $5 off coupon if purchased in conjunction with part 1. This isn’t so great for someone like me who has already bought part 1, but a fine deal for anyone else. There is a noticeable increase in the action, blood and violence in part 2. Joker’s murder spree and the final fight with Superman are very exciting, but the dramatic bullet points of the comics don’t resonate as well in part 2 as they did in part 1. Perhaps it was Peter Weller’s dull delivery or perhaps it was the greater emphasis on action, but I actually preferred part 1 a little more. Bat fans will find a worthy investment in The Dark Knight Returns, but be warned, this is still not a cartoon to show to the youngsters in any Bat family due to violence and suggestive content (not even Damien).

Comic Book News Marvel

Review: Uncanny X-Force #1

So, one completely amazing run on Uncanny X-Force has ended, and even though the CBN offices were very disheartened after the announcement of Rick Remender leaving this book to pursue other Uncanny works, we were completely blown away by this debut issue!

Stan Humphries and Ron Graney continue to bring that air of nostalgia, first introduced by Remender, into the book but not only that, there is an excitement that emminates from Garney’s art that is astounding. It reminds me of all those days gone by, where these characters meant something to, not only the reader, but to themselves as well. That feeling of camaraderie without animosity, a connection between them that was deeply rooted in their history as opposed to just the next big crossover. That’s what this new creative team brings more that anything, connections, not just from past storylines but connections to the fans as well.

Now led by Storm, who gets her awesome mohawk back in the pages of Wolverine and the X-Men #24, X-Force is a broken group in need of solace. Psylocke and Storm embark on a mission to meet someone that left Storm a mysterious e-mail and the action ensues from there. I am not going to spoil any of this story if you haven’t got a chance to get your hands on a copy yet, because it deserves your dollars. X fans are going to appreciate all the little nuances and plot threads that are laid out before them, a tale steeped in the footprints of long ago. But, new fans will not be lost at all in this story and can appreciate the well planned tale of Humphries and gawk at the breathtaking lines of Garney! There is literally something in this tale for every fan regardless of their X history prowess!

Storm, Psylocke, Puck, Spiral, Fantomex, Cluster, Wolverine and Bishop all make their presence known in this outstanding debut issue. I won’t divulge on which line in the sand they stand, but you are in for one hell of a ride! Plus, if anyone can read the last page of this book and not think “Ewwww!” there is something wrong with you!

As a bonus, here is the incomparable Skottie Young’s variant cover to this issue. Awesome!

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Comic Book News

Review: Green Lantern Corps #16

Guy Gardner sits depowered in a prison cell, kicked out of the Green Lantern Corps, and a blight on the brilliant Gardner family name. But it doesn’t matter what has been done to you or how people perceive you, it matters what burns inside you. And what burns inside Guy Gardner is the heart of a hero!

Peter J. Tomasi takes one of the best cosmic team books and boils it down to one man and what it truly means to carry the moniker of “hero.” Tomasi has taken a character that has been seen as a joke, a third rate GL and made him one of my favorite characters by instilling in him a sense of “never say die” attitude. This attitude is what makes any normal man stand up and take charge of a situation where others freeze in fear. This attitude is what makes you a person others can rely on, this attitude makes you a “hero.” And that is exactly what this issue is about.

Faced with the force of the Third Army, Guy must make tough decisions in order to not only save others but his family as well. It is a great character piece that shows that it doesn’t take super powers or cosmic rings in order for you to stand up against insurmountable odds, all it takes is heart. And when new GL Baz shows up with his trainer B’DG, the subtle clash between Guy and Baz makes for some great comedic moments! Plus, John Stewart is still on the trail of the pieces of Mogo and he finally realizes all may not be right on Oa.

All in all, a great look into a broken GL and another link in to the tale of “Rise Of The Third Army.” But remember to read Green Lantern #16 BEFORE you dive into this one! And be sure to prepare yourself for the epic conclusion of “Rise Of The Third Army” in the pages of Green Lantern Corps Annual #1 on sale next week!

Comic Book News

Review: Harbinger #8

Joshua Dysart is a true craftsman when it comes to immersing a reader into the emotional duress of a character. From the first issue, where we were introduced to the most powerful junkie you will ever meet, Peter Stancheck, to this week’s broken and formidable, Torque; Dysart makes these characters compelling from the moment you meet them. He gives them a sense of “normalcy,” a relatable aura that makes a reader want to follow them through their ever more chaotic world. It is the work of a true craftsman that makes this book so rich each and every month, Joshua Dysart is at the top of his craft.

Issue #8 introduces us to another new character, Torque, a backwoods hillbilly that has dreams of smashing badguys and bedding women. Such lofty dreams for one such as Torque may never come to fruition, but I will not spoil Dysart’s compelling tale by telling you why! It is a page turning journey you must take on your own in order to fully appreciate the true depth of Torque. He is an amalgam weakness and power that is reminiscent of a few other comic heroes, but taken to an entirely different level. A level of excitement and duress that may actually change the wishes of this newly “born” hero by books end. And by books end, Peter may be looking for a whole lot more recruits to his cause against Harada, not because he has the room — but because he may need replacements!

As the Renegades continue to gain members, not only have they caught the attention of Toyo Harada, but they have also incurred the wrath of Project Rising Stars. This does not bode well for our ragtag team of “heroes,” for we all know who P.R.S’ little toy is — Bloodshot! This is the stepping stone into the upcoming “Harbinger Wars” storyline and you don’t want to miss a thing!

So, get to your local comic shop and demand a copy of Harbinger #8 — you won’t regret it!

Comic Book News

Review: X-O Manowar #9

When a threat looms in the distance that will ultimately destroy the very fabric of your world, what do you do? Do you accept the inevitable, huddling down with your loved ones in the hopes of a savior? Do you look for solutions, rallying those of the scientific field to somehow slow down the fates? Do you pray for a change of heart in those that threaten you, leaving your future in the hands of the gods?

Or, if you’re Aric of Dacia, wielder of the X-O armor, you call down the threat and stand face to face with them. Never blinking, never questioning your abilities, you just — BRING IT ON!

That fire, that fervor, that blast of emotional rallying is exactly what Robert Venditti and Trevor Hairsine will dredge up in you with the turn of every page! It is a cavalcade of revelations, bringing things that have been brewing since issue #1 to the forefront and laying them on the table. The Vine has been embedding themselves into every aspect of the Valiant Universe and it culminates in this issue. Venditti’s prose anchors you emotionally to the tale, giving you the perfect window into all the aspects that come into play, while Hairsine’s riotous battle sequences will tantalize your senses. Where most “prelude” stories give subtle hints as to what can be expected in the upcoming arc, lulling you in with intrigue and little action; X-O #9 not only “sets the stage” it completely obliterates it!

A mingling of high intrigue and blistering battle sequences, this issue is an all out adrenaline rush that never lets up to take a breath! So, while some other books may give you a “snoozefest,” Valiant continues to amaze and delight once again!

Comic Book News

The “DOC’s” Top Of The Pile — 1/23/2013

The “DOC’s” Top Of The Pile

By: Chris “DOC” Bushley

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( A weekly quick pick of the five titles that should reside at the top of your pull list. IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER! )

I do the research, you reap the reward! Before you head out to your favorite shop today, be sure to add these five titles to your list of goodies! Forget that “apple a day” nonsense, this “DOC’s” prescription to good health starts with these top five books of the week!

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1. The Answer #1(Dark Horse): This debut issue from writer Dennis Hopeless (Avenger’s Arena) will give you everything BUT answers! An amalgam wrapped in an enigma, this tale follows a highly intellectual research librarian as she dodges bullets after she solves a puzzle box she received for a birthday present. But it doesn’t stop there! It also contains an evangelistic proponent for world chaos, mercenaries and a costumed hero! But, what does it all mean? I have know idea, but I NEED to find out!

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2. X-O Manowar #9 (Valiant): This issue is the “Prelude to Death Planet” storyline that promises to bring devastation to the Valiant Universe. But, this isn’t just a “set-up” issue that relaxes and lulls you into safety before the big event. This story sets the stage and the tone for what’s to come, bringing intriguing plot threads and all out action like you’ve never seen before! Plus, the “shock” ending will have you chomping at the bit for next month! Bring it on!

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3. Masks #3 (Dynamite): Who doesn’t love pulp fiction, crime noir tales? That’s right, NOBODY! Well, you need look no further to get your gritty little hands on one of the coolest books around! Why just choose one pulp hero to follow when you can have all the greats in a single title? That’s right, Chris Roberson and, superstar cover artist, Alex Ross have come together with a great tale that brings everyone together. You get The Green Hornet, Kato, The Spider, The Shadow, Zorro and many, many more for just one low price! It’s like the Justice League with cigar stains and fedoras! So, put on your smoking jacket and nestle into your study with a copy of Masks!

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4. Green Lantern #16 (DC): The “Rise Of The Third Army” tale has been slow paced at it’s worst and completely unnerving at it’s best. This week sees GL Baz finally get a little control over his ring with the help of GL B’DG! That’s right, folks, as we wait for the return of Rocket Raccoon, why not hang out with the coolest squirrel in the Universe! All kidding aside, this is a great story that solidifies Baz as a true Green Lantern and answers a lot of questions from previous issues! And you find out why he has a gun! Sweet!

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5. Uncanny X-Force #1 (Marvel): Sadly, Rick Remender’s run on this fantastic book is over. So, what better way to celebrate the fantastic new creative team of Stan Humphries and Ron Garney than with a shiny new number one issue! Even though I cannot stand all the re-numberings, this issue is pitch perfect for all those X fans clamoring for some nostalgia. This new version has Psylocke, Fantomex, Cluster, Spiral, Puck and Storm rocking her ol’ mohawk! Yes, I said mohawk, kids! Like back when she was the leader of the Morlocks?! Oh well, at least Byron Brewer will know what I’m talking about! Anyway, put on your roller skates and crank up some Joan Jett, it’s about to get retro in here! Plus, the final page gives new meaning to the phrase, “You gotta love yourself” — ewwwww!

Movie News Marvel

Matt Fraction Admits Marvel Studios Interferes With The Comic Books

The writer admits that he had MCU guidelines to follow because of the new Thor movie.

Movie News Reviews

Movie Review: Gangster Squad (2013)

Not Quite Noir Enough

A Film Review of Gangster Squad

By: Lawrence Napoli

Who doesn’t like a good crime/cop drama? Most Americans apparently do. The majority of our TV programming revolves around this subject matter whose popularity originates from the grittiness of the American film noir genre that began in the 1940s which was best represented by The Maltese Falcon (1941). Of course, we are well removed from that point in time, but American interest in that era (either on the production or consumer side of the equation) never seems to go away. Perhaps it is the clothing, style, manner of social behavior, the cars or even the guns that draws us back to the box office, but I personally feel the real reason for our intrigue is the unique allure of the anti-hero that showcases quite nicely in film noir. Contemporary America has all but fully embraced the idea of the anti-hero since Vietnam. Our government isn’t to be fully trusted, our political leaders are scumbags, our sports heroes are cheaters and various adult authorities take advantage of children. The anti-hero may not have the moral high ground of the classic hero, but it also gives the finger to convention and “authority.” Such symbolic defiance still identifies as uniquely American around the globe. Perhaps we relish in being the rebels?

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Are we as charming as the Rebel Alliance?

That being said, Gangster Squad is a film that attempts to join the successful rank and file of neo-noir classics such as The Untouchables (1987) and L.A. Confidential (1997) while bringing a new emphasis to the table as its calling card: ACTION! Most crime dramas of any era will feature scenes of suspense, violence and gunplay. Action sequences (however brief) will be required to communicate these ideas on the screen, yet none have been so brazen as Gangster Squad as to put every other element of this kind of story (plot, character and visual style) in the proverbial trunk as the action drives the film forward at all times. I enjoyed the action, the explosions and the somewhat asinine gunplay, but the prominence of these elements weakens character development which leads to less sympathy from the audience which produces inconsequential performances from the cast which dilutes the story overall. As much as this film’s framework as a crime drama and subject matter concerning the Mickey Cohen rackets would classify this film as noir in theory; this film, in practical feel and fact couldn’t have less to do with “hard-boiled” noir. This film is bright, bold and fast. It lights up the screen like Christmas. It’s as if someone contracted Michael Bay to do a Prohibition Era film.

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Morpheus showed me how to shoot this machine gun.

However, Michael Bay did not direct this film. That responsibility was given to Ruben Fleischer whom you’ll remember as directing seminal classics (ahem!) like 30 Minutes or Less (2011) and Zombieland (2009). I applaud Fleischer for developing a higher proficiency with action from behind the camera for Gangster Squad, but his desire to make the action look nothing like the cheese of his previous comedies comes at a cost. His cast has extreme time restrictions to actually do some acting. Being the director, Fleischer’s primary responsibility is for the performances and if he isn’t getting enough from his cast, he needs to get more (somehow) or give more (script alterations to compensate). In this case, Fleischer would have been better off substituting some dialogue scenes for action so the audience could buy into his characters more easily. If the assembly and exploits of an anti-gang team is central to the story, why are there so few scenes depicting chemistry amongst them? We need more campfire scenes! We need to see these characters giving a damn about each other before we can accept anything else in the story. Or the scenes the audience observed simply needed to be better. But this burden doesn’t fall squarely on the director.

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We’re not a team. We’re a time bomb. Or are we just a bomb?

Screenwriter Will Beall is a veteran writer for the TV show Castle, but has no feature film screenwriting credits before this adaptation of the book by Paul Lieberman. If we are to take Gangster Squad as Beall’s approach to team dynamics in an action oriented film, then I have IMMEDIATE concerns for his script of the Justice League movie set for release in 2015. Gangster Squad is a movie that is constantly trying to have its cake (lots of action) and eat it too (while staying true to noir). In many respects, this film follows an often tread plot for crime drama: There’s a marquee criminal organization in town, a team has to be made to fight it and conflict ensues. Simply connecting these bullet points with explosions doesn’t make this kind of movie work. It works even less when an ensemble cast is to be featured rather than 1 or 2 characters. If there’s a team, we need to see their interaction and THAT dynamic needs to be featured above anything else (see Marvel’s The Avengers). Too much action and effects means less plot and dialogue and any film will suffer when these aspects are not in balance. The only character that was rounded out in Gangster Squad was Ryan Gosling’s Jerry Wooters: a charming anti-hero who isn’t technically the main character. That honor was meant to be Josh Brolin’s John O’Mara who was written as a white knight with anger management issues and zero complexity beyond him dealing with the fact that being a tough guy is the only thing he’s really good at.

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The cops only discover the use of machine guns at the end of the film.

Overall, the cast’s performance was good, but very inconsistent as a result of the aforementioned screen time limitations. Sean Penn brings textbook intensity being the most accomplished member of this cast as Mickey Cohen. He delivers characterization that is stereotypically menacing, but not much beyond that seeing how the story strictly focuses on the cops.

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Ask the paparazzi! Don’t F*CK with Sean Penn!

Josh Brolin seems determined to take roles in films where he is constantly being overshadowed. He is meant to be the leader of the squad, yet whenever Ryan Gosling’s character makes an appearance, Bolin is forgotten. He isn’t a bad actor, nor does he produce an ineffective performance in Gangster Squad, but his character is easily the least interesting. John O’Mara was meant to mirror Eliot Ness in that he’s a family man while leading a small crew against an army of hell. This would be interesting if Brolin actually showed some internal struggle with this situation. Rather, Brolin takes a very flat approach to the tough guy character that is quite matter-of-fact about the situation and fully accepts his limitations as a meat head.

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Why does everyone like you better than me?

So many actors were tragically underused beginning with Emma Stone whose only function in this film is sex appeal. I believe the director was counting on some residual chemistry from Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011) between Stone and Gosling because the three scenes they share don’t come close to producing a decent romance. Anthony Mackie, whom I enjoyed thoroughly in The Adjustment Bureau (2011) and Real Steel (2011), and will be featured in Captain America 2, has a combined screen time of about 10 minutes. Giovanni Ribisi, an excellent actor with a very diverse filmography is an afterthought. Nick Nolte is only present because the cast needed a dirty, old man; so who else you gonna call? The real problem is that none of these characters have a moment to actually shine on screen, which would effectively validate their existence.

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Falcon better not be the token black guy in the Captain America sequel!

Gangster Squad is Ryan Gosling’s film. His character’s profound apathy seems second nature to the man which accounts for just about every effective moment of comic relief for the entire movie. He is the only actor to show an effective arc that justifies and motivates change in his character. Of course, he’s the only actor to have the opportunity to actually do this. The trick is that Gosling makes it look so easy. The audience loves his charisma, cool and collectiveness. However, I feel remiss to praise Gosling too much for the simple fact he plays the best character in the script.

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This is my movie. MINE!

Gangster Squad doesn’t look, sound or feel like a noir/crime drama. This fact is made perfectly clear in the very first scene which reveals some unexpected gore in a very graphic manner. The slow-motion visual effects that run wild towards the end of this film need to stay in The Matrix. Chemistry amongst all characters seems flaccid. The plot is a cookie-cutter mash-up of every mobster related film you’ve seen from the past. Overall, this first film of 2013 fails to impress yours truly. It’s decent fun if you want to see someone punched in the face, but if you’re expecting more, you’ll just get a donkey kick to the groin.

Comic Book News

Review: Archer & Armstrong #6

Everything old is new again! Last month we saw the return of Valiant’s most brutal character, The Eternal Warrior, this week we see the rise of another old favorite — The Geomancer!

As our regular band of misfit heroes take a backseat this week in order to focus on another new arrival, Fred Van Lente manages to create a tale that instantly grabs readers attention and makes you yearn to know more about Kay McHenry.

She is a character that is bold and confrontational, a loaded gun of accusation easily pointed by Elliot Zorn at his competitors. But when the tough questions arise, ones that are directed at who she is and what she stands for, this strong woman is revealed to be just a facade. She is a hardened shell of a woman with no direction of her own. And finally, when she chooses a path — it’s the wrong one!

Van Lente does another fantastic job of taking Valiant characters from the past and breaking them in order to become better, more relevant today. He infuses them with such strong characteristics that they are instantly accepted by the modern reader as fan favorites, at least in my eyes, and we cannot wait for the next installment to see where they go next. He uses such a thin veil between the action, drama and comedic elements — did I mention there is a talking monkey in a dress having a tea party? — that it gently melds into a single amazing tale the captivates you. Nowhere else have I seen this done with such great poise and respect for both the characters and the readers.

No other company this week will have as many elements in a single book that Archer & Armstrong #6 does! From pirates to news correspondents, naval ships to tea drinking monkeys, immortal warriors to talking plants — you want it, they’ve got it!

So get out there and grab something different, grab something — Valiant!

Cosmic Book News

Featured Articles

Oscar Fallout 2013

Opening Ceremony

Octavia Spencer presents Best Supporting Actor – Christoph Waltz for Django Unchained

Paul Rudd and Melissa McCarthy present Best Animated Short Film – Paperman (John Kahrs).

Best Animated Feature Film – Brave

The Avengers Assemble! And they present Best Cinematography – Life of Pi (Claudio Miranda)

They also present Best Visual Effects – Life of Pi (Bill Westenhofer and co.)

Jennifer Aniston and Channing Tatum present Best Costume Design – Anna Karenina (Jacqueline Durran)

Best Makeup and Hairstyling – Les Misérables (Lisa Westcot and Julie Dartnell)

Halle Berry presents the 50th Anniversary of James Bond

Kerry Washington and Jaime Fox present Best Live Action Short Film – Curfew (Shawn Christensen).

Best Documentary Short – Inocente (Sean and Andrea Fine).

Ben Affleck thanks Seth for the constant ribbing and presents Best Documentary Feature – Searching for Sugar Man (Malik Bendjelloul and Simon Chin).

Jennifer Garner and Jessica Chastain present Best Foreign Language Film – Amour (Austria).

Catherine Zeta Jones performs All That Jazz

Jennifer Hudson sings a number from Dream Girls

The cast of Les Misérables performs together.

Mark Walhberg and Ted present Best Sound Mixing – Les Misérables (Andy Nelson and co.).

Best Sound Editing – WTF? (No BS, but a tie?) Zero Dark Thirty and Skyfall.

Christopher Plummer presents Best Supporting Actress – Anne Hathaway

Sandra Bullock presents Best Film Editing – Argo (William Goldenberg)

Adele performs Skyfall

Daniel Radcliffe and Kristen Stewart present Best Production Design – Lincoln (Rick Carter and Jim Erikson).

George Clooney presents In Memoriam

Some of the cast of Chicago present Best Musical Score – Life of Pi (Mychael Danna).

Best Original Song – Adele’s Skyfall

Charlize Theron and Dustin Hoffman present Best Adapted Screenplay – Argo (Chris Terrio).

Best Original Screenplay – Django Unchained (Quentin Tarantino).

Michael Douglas and Jane Fonda present Best Director – Ang Lee (Life of Pi).

Jean Dujardin presents Best Actress – Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook).

Meryl Streep presents Best Actor – Daniel Day Lewis.

Jack Nicholson presents Michele Obama who both present Best Picture – Argo (Ben Affleck and co.).

The Host?

The Big Loser

The Big Winner

The Wrap Up

(some of) The Worst Girlfriends/Wives in Movies

10) Kat in 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

9) Jo in Rounders (1998)

8) Carmen in Starship Troopers (1997)

7) Summer in 500 Days of Summer (2009)

6) Roxie Hart in Chicago (2002)

5) Jean Grey/Phoenix in X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)

4) Fox in Wanted (2008)

3) Andy in The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

2) Marion in Requiem for a Dream (2000)

1) Asami in Audition (1999)

(Some of) The Best Girlfriends/Wives in Movies

10) Nina in Bulworth (1998)

9) Trish in The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005)

8) Leeloo in The Fifth Element (1997)

7) Becky in Clerks II (2006)

6) Cassandra in Wayne’s World (1992)

5) Neytiri in Avatar (2009)

4) Pepper Potts in Iron Man (2008)

3) Trinity in The Matrix Saga (1999-2003)

2) Helen in True Lies (1994)

1) Jennifer in Marley & Me (2008)

Start typing and press enter to search

**They also present Best Visual Effects – Life of Pi (Bill Westenhofer and co.)**

**Jennifer Aniston and Channing Tatum present Best Costume Design – Anna Karenina (Jacqueline Durran)**

**Best Makeup and Hairstyling – Les Misérables (Lisa Westcot and Julie Dartnell)**

Halle Berry presents the 50^th Anniversary of James Bond

**Kerry Washington and Jaime Fox present Best Live Action Short Film – Curfew (Shawn Christensen).**

**Best Documentary Short – Inocente (Sean and Andrea Fine).**

**Ben Affleck thanks Seth for the constant ribbing and presents Best Documentary Feature – Searching for Sugar Man (Malik Bendjelloul and Simon Chin).**

**Jennifer Garner and Jessica Chastain present Best Foreign Language Film – Amour (Austria).**

**The cast of Les Misérables performs together.**

**Mark Walhberg and Ted present Best Sound Mixing – Les Misérables (Andy Nelson and co.).**

**Best Sound Editing – WTF? (No BS, but a tie?) Zero Dark Thirty and Skyfall.**

**Sandra Bullock presents Best Film Editing – Argo (William Goldenberg)**

**Daniel Radcliffe and Kristen Stewart present Best Production Design – Lincoln (Rick Carter and Jim Erikson).**

**Some of the cast of Chicago present Best Musical Score – Life of Pi (Mychael Danna).**

**Charlize Theron and Dustin Hoffman present Best Adapted Screenplay – Argo (Chris Terrio).**

**Best Original Screenplay – Django Unchained (Quentin Tarantino).**

**Michael Douglas and Jane Fonda present Best Director – Ang Lee (Life of Pi).**

**Jean Dujardin presents Best Actress – Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook).**

**Jack Nicholson presents Michele Obama who both present Best Picture – Argo (Ben Affleck and co.).**

**10) Kat in 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)**

**9) Jo in Rounders (1998)**

**8) Carmen in Starship Troopers (1997)**

**7) Summer in 500 Days of Summer (2009)**

**6) Roxie Hart in Chicago (2002)**

**5) Jean Grey/Phoenix in X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)**

**4) Fox in Wanted (2008)**

**3) Andy in The Devil Wears Prada (2006)**

**2) Marion in Requiem for a Dream (2000)**

**1) Asami in Audition (1999)**

**10) Nina in Bulworth (1998)**

**9) Trish in The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005)**

**8) Leeloo in The Fifth Element (1997)**

**7) Becky in Clerks II (2006)**

**6) Cassandra in Wayne’s World (1992)**

**5) Neytiri in Avatar (2009)**

**4) Pepper Potts in Iron Man (2008)**

**3) Trinity in The Matrix Saga (1999-2003)**

**2) Helen in True Lies (1994)**

**1) Jennifer in Marley & Me (2008)**