Another day, another dungeon and more gems than I can ever hope to selll off as we continue our efforts to avoid finishing the main storyline.
↧
Starman Plays Skyrim Special Edition - Part 139
↧
Titans #15 - A Review
The traitor among The Titans stands revealed as Nightwing, who has been a double-agent for HIVE all this time! Can the team continue to be Titans Together in the face of their leader's treachery? Is there more than meets the eye here? What of Mal Duncan and Gnaark's mission to infiltrate a HIVE lair in search of Bumblebee's stolen memories? And what about Psimon's prophecy that Lilith Clay will destroy the world and only HIVE can save it?
![]()
![]()
![]()
The only real flaw to Titans #15 is its inaccessibility to new readers. There's too many subplots and too much going on for a new reader to comfortably jump in on this issue. Those who have been reading this book since the beginning, however, will find more of the same great characterization, high-octane action and amazing artwork that make it one of DC Comics' most underrated titles.
The Final Analysis: 8 out of 10. A great issue marred only by being for established Titans fans only.
The only real flaw to Titans #15 is its inaccessibility to new readers. There's too many subplots and too much going on for a new reader to comfortably jump in on this issue. Those who have been reading this book since the beginning, however, will find more of the same great characterization, high-octane action and amazing artwork that make it one of DC Comics' most underrated titles.
The Final Analysis: 8 out of 10. A great issue marred only by being for established Titans fans only.
↧
↧
Starman Plays Skyrim Special Edition - Part 140
In which we clear out one last dungeon before upgrading our armor and preparing to finally trap a dragon alive.
↧
Detective Comics #964 - A Review
With the help of some surprising allies, Anarky has built his own utopia under Gotham City. He hopes to bring Stephanie "The Spoiler" Brown into his world but she demands the whole truth of how it came into being. So does Batman, who has finally tracked them both down...
Meanwhile, Basil "Clayface" Karlo hopes to make amends for his past crimes. Working with Batman to protect Gotham City was a first step but now he's working on a cure for his condition - not only for himself but for the former friend he tried to transform into something like himself. But is redemption possible? Or is Clayface doomed to remain a monster even if he can hold a human form?
![]()
![]()
![]()
The only flaw to Detective Comics #964 is its brevity. Both subplots here - Clayface's quest for redemption and Spoiler's search for purpose - are gripping, touching stories which mirror each other. Basil turns to Batman to escape what he's becoming as Stephanie escapes from Batman to become something else. One wishes that the overly long Azrael-focused story-line from a month ago had been cut-down a few issues and those comics given over to this story.
The story by James Tynion IV and Christopher Sebela is matched perfectly by the artwork of Carmen Carnero. I've greatly enjoyed Carnero's previous work on Adventures of Supergirl immensely and she's in fine form here. With the addition of Ulises Arreola's colors, this is one fine looking book!
The Final Analysis: 10/10. The only thing wrong is there's not nearly enough of it.
Meanwhile, Basil "Clayface" Karlo hopes to make amends for his past crimes. Working with Batman to protect Gotham City was a first step but now he's working on a cure for his condition - not only for himself but for the former friend he tried to transform into something like himself. But is redemption possible? Or is Clayface doomed to remain a monster even if he can hold a human form?
The only flaw to Detective Comics #964 is its brevity. Both subplots here - Clayface's quest for redemption and Spoiler's search for purpose - are gripping, touching stories which mirror each other. Basil turns to Batman to escape what he's becoming as Stephanie escapes from Batman to become something else. One wishes that the overly long Azrael-focused story-line from a month ago had been cut-down a few issues and those comics given over to this story.
The story by James Tynion IV and Christopher Sebela is matched perfectly by the artwork of Carmen Carnero. I've greatly enjoyed Carnero's previous work on Adventures of Supergirl immensely and she's in fine form here. With the addition of Ulises Arreola's colors, this is one fine looking book!
The Final Analysis: 10/10. The only thing wrong is there's not nearly enough of it.
↧
Doctor Who: The Twelfth Doctor: Year Three #7 - An Advanced Review/Preview
Following an unexpected detour to a barren Atlantic island in the 9th century, The Doctor and his companion Bill Potts found themselves caught in the middle of a stand-off between a group of Viking settlers and a team of Martian Ice Warriors. Thankfully, The Doctor was able to convince both sides to work together against a common menace - the sentient virus known as The Flood!
It beggars coincidence that two of The Doctor's old enemies should encounter each other in this place at this time. When another monster from The Doctor's past emerges, he can hazard a guess as to who is responsible. However, that knowledge may not be enough to save The Doctor and his allies even if he is correct!
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
Brian Williamson remains brilliant and Edu Menna (whose work on Red Sonja I've enjoyed) performs well-enough. The pages drawn by Marcelo Salaza, on the other hand, are amateurish in the extreme. Salaza presents a Twelfth Doctor who only vaguely resembles Peter Capaldi, even ignoring his inappropriately happy smile!
It's a damn shame because Richard Dinnick's story is a brilliant one and it deserved a better presentation. Weaving together the strands of older Doctor Who tales as the base for his own epic, Dinnick has managed the near-impossible. The Wolves of Winter is that rare continuity-driven story that is easily accessible to new readers. Fans of Classic Who and New Who alike will enjoy this Twelfth Doctor tale... if they can just get past the artwork.
The Final Analysis: 6 out of 10. Richard Dinnick wrote a great story but they should have let Brian Williamson draw the whole thing.
It beggars coincidence that two of The Doctor's old enemies should encounter each other in this place at this time. When another monster from The Doctor's past emerges, he can hazard a guess as to who is responsible. However, that knowledge may not be enough to save The Doctor and his allies even if he is correct!
Brian Williamson remains brilliant and Edu Menna (whose work on Red Sonja I've enjoyed) performs well-enough. The pages drawn by Marcelo Salaza, on the other hand, are amateurish in the extreme. Salaza presents a Twelfth Doctor who only vaguely resembles Peter Capaldi, even ignoring his inappropriately happy smile!
It's a damn shame because Richard Dinnick's story is a brilliant one and it deserved a better presentation. Weaving together the strands of older Doctor Who tales as the base for his own epic, Dinnick has managed the near-impossible. The Wolves of Winter is that rare continuity-driven story that is easily accessible to new readers. Fans of Classic Who and New Who alike will enjoy this Twelfth Doctor tale... if they can just get past the artwork.
The Final Analysis: 6 out of 10. Richard Dinnick wrote a great story but they should have let Brian Williamson draw the whole thing.
Doctor Who: The Twelfth Doctor: Year Three #7 releases September 20, 2017.
Ask for it at your local comic shop or purchase it on Comixology.com.
↧
↧
Starman Plays Skyrim Special Edition - Part 141
In which we set a trap to catch a dragon and start to storm the fortress of Alduin, The World Eater! Yes, we're finally doing the end-game quest!
↧
Injustice 2 #24 (Digital Edition) - A Review
Batman and his new Justice League have rescued the hostages but lain waste to Ra's Al Ghul's secret animal sanctuary in the process. The Demon's Head is not known for his sense of mercy nor being slow in retaliation for a slight. How shall Ra's Al Ghul take his revenge upon The Detective?
![]()
I can't show any image scans of this issue of Injustice 2 it is so stunning but also so spoilery. Suffice it to say the battle with Ra's Al Ghul has only begun and Tom Taylor has raised the stakes of an already high game. He also manages another surprise as we learn of a shocking ally to Ra's plans to save the world. Artistically, Bruno Redondo, Juan Albarran and Rex Lokus continue to knock it out of the park with every endeavor. This remains one of my favorite books and the high-point of my Tuesday mornings.
Final Analysis: 8 out of 10. Solid stuff, but still mostly set-up for the next act.
I can't show any image scans of this issue of Injustice 2 it is so stunning but also so spoilery. Suffice it to say the battle with Ra's Al Ghul has only begun and Tom Taylor has raised the stakes of an already high game. He also manages another surprise as we learn of a shocking ally to Ra's plans to save the world. Artistically, Bruno Redondo, Juan Albarran and Rex Lokus continue to knock it out of the park with every endeavor. This remains one of my favorite books and the high-point of my Tuesday mornings.
Final Analysis: 8 out of 10. Solid stuff, but still mostly set-up for the next act.
↧
Starman Plays Skyrim Special Edition - Part 142
In which we raid the temple of Skuldafn, seeking a way to the afterlife that doesn't involving being killed by dragons or death-lords.
↧
Starman Plays Skyrim Special Edition - Part 143
In which we enter into Sovngarde to save the souls of the honored dead, fulfill our destiny and slay Alduin The World-Eater! But first we must best the doorman in honorable combat (yeah right) and resist the lure of stealing the booze of the gods!
↧
↧
Nightwing #29 - A Review
Lost within a ring of snow and ice - the second circle of the labyrinth formed out of Gotham City - our heroes find themselves contending with a twisted version of Mr. Freeze and an army of frost giants! Thankfully, Nightwing has arrived on the scene to join the search for Batman, but he faces his own inner-conflict regarding the menace they face. Meanwhile, The Teen Titans meet up with The Suicide Squad, forming a reluctant alliance to get into the maze themselves...
![]()
The unfortunate thing about comic-book crossovers is that new readers, attracted by the linking story line, may find themselves turned away from a single chapter due to unexplained references to the book's regular story. This problem plagues Nightwing #29 which makes repeated mention of a villain called Dr. Hurt and Dick Grayson's connection to The Court of Owls. While I am vaguely familiar with this plot-line from Scott Snyder's Batman, Tim Seely doesn't do a very good job of explaining it and it's largely incidental to the action of the issue in any case. Even that much might be confusing for those readers who haven't already read Batman: The Red Death #1, which is more efficient in explaining the basic idea of The Dark Multiverse.
Thankfully, this issue's script makes up for this shortcoming in other ways. Seely's grasp of the characters, for instance, is top-notch. I was particularly gratified to see Killer Croc as being written as something other than a complete idiot, though Damian Wayne is back to being a spoiled brat. Your mileage may vary on if this is an accurate assessment of his character, but it doesn't jibe with what we saw in Teen Titans last week. But whatever - I can forgive a lot simply for the revelation that Harley Quinn and Green Arrow are both pen-and-paper RPG players.
![]()
The artwork is a similarly mixed bag. Paul Pelleiter is a good artist but his detail-driven style suffers in the small panels that the story requires. This frequently causes the panels to be cluttered and only the fact that Andrew Hennessy applies his inks so sparingly saves the issue. Even then, the fine details are often lost in the more heavily-shaded panels with a higher saturation of darker colors.
The Final Analysis: 6 out of 10. Decent enough but it could have been so much better.
The unfortunate thing about comic-book crossovers is that new readers, attracted by the linking story line, may find themselves turned away from a single chapter due to unexplained references to the book's regular story. This problem plagues Nightwing #29 which makes repeated mention of a villain called Dr. Hurt and Dick Grayson's connection to The Court of Owls. While I am vaguely familiar with this plot-line from Scott Snyder's Batman, Tim Seely doesn't do a very good job of explaining it and it's largely incidental to the action of the issue in any case. Even that much might be confusing for those readers who haven't already read Batman: The Red Death #1, which is more efficient in explaining the basic idea of The Dark Multiverse.
Thankfully, this issue's script makes up for this shortcoming in other ways. Seely's grasp of the characters, for instance, is top-notch. I was particularly gratified to see Killer Croc as being written as something other than a complete idiot, though Damian Wayne is back to being a spoiled brat. Your mileage may vary on if this is an accurate assessment of his character, but it doesn't jibe with what we saw in Teen Titans last week. But whatever - I can forgive a lot simply for the revelation that Harley Quinn and Green Arrow are both pen-and-paper RPG players.
The artwork is a similarly mixed bag. Paul Pelleiter is a good artist but his detail-driven style suffers in the small panels that the story requires. This frequently causes the panels to be cluttered and only the fact that Andrew Hennessy applies his inks so sparingly saves the issue. Even then, the fine details are often lost in the more heavily-shaded panels with a higher saturation of darker colors.
The Final Analysis: 6 out of 10. Decent enough but it could have been so much better.
↧
Starman Plays Skyrim Special Edition - Part 144
We're in the army now, as I (and, by extension, Mjoll) enlist in the Stormcloak Rebellion, to save Skyrim from the corrupt and incompetent Imperial regime.
Of course the fall of Alduin won't stop the random dragon attacks or my new brothers and sisters in arms being decidedly unimpressed after they help me kill a dragon...
Of course the fall of Alduin won't stop the random dragon attacks or my new brothers and sisters in arms being decidedly unimpressed after they help me kill a dragon...
↧
Aquaman #28 - A Review
As the deposed Arthur Curry and his new ally, Dolphin, evade the minions of the Atlantean crime-boss Krush, Mera recruits the former Aqualad (now called Tempest) to try and penetrate the magical barriers around Atlantis. At the same time, the former Chief Elder, Vulko, makes his own play to bring down the corrupt regime of the new King, leading a clandestine raid on the royal treasury.
![]()
The most miraculous thing about Aquaman #28 is how accessible it is to new readers. Despite having one of the more involved mythologies of the DC Rebirth tiles, this book passes the Stan Lee test for every comic being written as if it was going to be someone's first exposure to the characters and their world. Dan Abentt's script manages this exposition smoothly and naturally, fitting it in between some stunning action sequences.
![]()
The Final Analysis: 10 out of 10. Flawless. Absolutely flawless.
The most miraculous thing about Aquaman #28 is how accessible it is to new readers. Despite having one of the more involved mythologies of the DC Rebirth tiles, this book passes the Stan Lee test for every comic being written as if it was going to be someone's first exposure to the characters and their world. Dan Abentt's script manages this exposition smoothly and naturally, fitting it in between some stunning action sequences.
The Final Analysis: 10 out of 10. Flawless. Absolutely flawless.
↧
Starman Plays Skyrim Special Edition - Part 145
In which - having delivered The Jagged Crown to Jarl Ulfric - we deliver an ultimatum to the Jarl of Whiterun and then lay siege to the city. Looting and pillaging ensues, as the local Imperial army lack the sense to run from an enraged Dragonborn.
↧
↧
Starman Plays Skyrim Special Edition - Part 146
In which we launch a raid on an Imperial prison and finally earn the title of Thane of Windhelm.
↧
Starman Plays Skyrim Special Edition - Part 147
The Skyrim Civil War continues, as we journey to the Stormcloak camp in Hjaalmarch and set about tracking down an Imperial Courier. Hilarity ensues before the most anti-climactic ending ever.
↧
Crosswind #4 - A Review
Somehow, Chicago hitman Cason Bennett and Seattle housewife Juniper Blue have swapped souls. Both found themselves in unfamiliar surroundings with Cason having to throw together dinner for Juniper's abusive husband and his boss and Juniper putting her cleaning skills to the test covering up a crime scene. Unfortunately, things have become even more complicated, as one of Cason's associates - a rival assassin named Cruz - just learned that Cason was sleeping with his fiancee and is out for blood...
![]()
![]()
![]()
With every passing issue, Crosswind gets better and better. Cat Stagg's beautiful photo-realistic artwork gives the series the perfect neo-noir aesthetic. Gail Simone's script is full of the dark comedy and thrilling action her fans have come to love, while deftly avoiding the usual cliches that body-swapping stories engage in (i.e. a man having to learn how to use make-up). Indeed, the end of this issue features a fascinating interview between Simone and transgender writer/actor Charles Battersby regarding those cliches and how Crosswind aspired to move past them.
The Final Analysis: 10 out of 10. A Must Read!
With every passing issue, Crosswind gets better and better. Cat Stagg's beautiful photo-realistic artwork gives the series the perfect neo-noir aesthetic. Gail Simone's script is full of the dark comedy and thrilling action her fans have come to love, while deftly avoiding the usual cliches that body-swapping stories engage in (i.e. a man having to learn how to use make-up). Indeed, the end of this issue features a fascinating interview between Simone and transgender writer/actor Charles Battersby regarding those cliches and how Crosswind aspired to move past them.
The Final Analysis: 10 out of 10. A Must Read!
↧
Starman Plays Skyrim Special Edition - Part 148
In which our efforts to slip fake battle plans to an Imperial Commander prove that "Imperial Intelligence Officer' is any oxymoron, our new horse tracks us down across the length of Skyrim and we reclaim two forts for The Stormcloak Rebellion.
↧
↧
Batgirl #15 - A Review
When a cryptic text message lures Batgirl and Nightwing to the same crime-scene, it becomes apparent that some villain from their past is out for revenge. All signs point to The Mad Hatter... or so they think. A new villain called The Red Queen has taken the field and she's uncomfortably familiar with both Dick Grayson and Barbara Gordon - a revelation that forces the two allies to think back to their first case together, shortly after Barbara Gordon first moved to Gotham City!
![]()
The most miraculous aspect of Batgirl #15 is how well Hope Larson tells two mysteries at two different points in time without the past story spoiling the present one. Apart from both mysteries involving a woman named Ainsley - Barbara Gordon's first real friend upon first moving to Gotham - there's seemingly no common link between the stories. Larson also captures the characters of Dick Grayson and Barbara Gordon perfectly as both teenagers and young adults and the complicated friendship/romance between them is well-handled.
![]()
The work delivered by the art team proves equally enjoyable. Chris Wildgoose's kinetic style is a good match for Larson's script. The inks of Jose Marzan Jr. are kept similarly light and airy, adding clarity to the finished artwork. Mat Lopes' applies his colors with zeal, crafting one of the best looking books in the business!
The Final Analysis: 10 out of 10. A must-read for all fans of good mysteries and YA superheroes.
The most miraculous aspect of Batgirl #15 is how well Hope Larson tells two mysteries at two different points in time without the past story spoiling the present one. Apart from both mysteries involving a woman named Ainsley - Barbara Gordon's first real friend upon first moving to Gotham - there's seemingly no common link between the stories. Larson also captures the characters of Dick Grayson and Barbara Gordon perfectly as both teenagers and young adults and the complicated friendship/romance between them is well-handled.
The work delivered by the art team proves equally enjoyable. Chris Wildgoose's kinetic style is a good match for Larson's script. The inks of Jose Marzan Jr. are kept similarly light and airy, adding clarity to the finished artwork. Mat Lopes' applies his colors with zeal, crafting one of the best looking books in the business!
The Final Analysis: 10 out of 10. A must-read for all fans of good mysteries and YA superheroes.
↧
Starman Plays Skyrim Special Edition - Part 149
Outfitted in our new Stormcloak Officer's armor, we're ready to liberate the final fortress before marching on Solitude.
↧
Starman Plays Skyrim Special Edition - Part 150
The Stormcloak Rebellion comes to an epic conclusion as we retake Solitude, drive The Imperial Army from Skyrim and completely fail in my plan to steal General Tulius' soul and make it into a pair of boots..
↧