Batman vs Joker’s Army

Detective Comics #16 courtesy DC Comics
Detective Comics #16 courtesy DC Comics

In The Dark Knight Trilogy Ra’s Al Ghul told Bruce Wayne to become a symbol to fight injustice. In this week’s Detective Comics #16 the Joker has become an inspirational symbol to Gotham City’s unhinged and mentally unstable. The Joker never appear in this excellent issue (or does he?) but his sinister influence chokes this issue like Joker gas creeping into you.

In this Death of the Family tie-in Batman fights to stop bands of Joker fans and wannabes. John Layman and Jason Fabok craft a chilling tale of madness and manipulation among ordinary people pushed over the edge and ruthless new criminals seizing their claims in Gotham City. Layman shows us the ramifications of the Joker’s comeback.

Batman races across Gotham trying to stop the violence and track down the mysterious League of Smiles. The real madman behind the outbreak may not be the Joker but a new holy terror. Another new villain is taking advantage of the Joker’s rampage. While Oswald Cobblepot has been recruited by the Joker the Emperor Penguin makes his move on the crime lords of Gotham City. The back story showing the new villain’s rise to power is chilling and fun.

John Layman, Jason Fabok and Andy Clarke deliver a fun read that ties loosely into Death of the Family while setting the stage for new enemies and showdowns in Gotham City’s Underworld.

By Editor

Wolverine vs. Frankenstein

Wolverine and the X-Men #23 courtesy Marvel
Wolverine and the X-Men #23 courtesy Marvel

It’s Alive! It’s Allllliiiiiivvvvvvveee!

Those mad scientists behind Wolverine and the X-Men create a smashing finale to the Frankenstein’s Murder Circus arc! Jason Aaron and Nick Bradshaw pack Wolverine and the X-Men #23 with horror, humor, action, dramatic character development and one hell of a surprise ending!

A witch’s magic mind control turned the X-Men into circus freaks. Idie became unexpected allies with a member of the new Hellfire Club. Frankenstein was obsessed with killing the sadistic little brat. The mutants were facing zombie clowns! Yes, zombie clowns! Trust me, Aaron and Bradshaw make it work!

In The Last Frankenstein we learn the young villain’s monstrous past, see a glimpse of hope that he might be redeemed and a potential rattling in the status quo in the Hellfire Club. Maximillian Von Katzenelbogen isn’t the only teen who undergoes a big change in this chapter. The blossoming attraction between Idie and Quentin Quire takes an interesting turn. Is the smitten Kid Omega possibly changing his arrogant bad boy ways as Idie sinks deeper into the dark side?

Nick Bradshaw is an artistic madman conjuring zombie clowns, teen angst and a poptastic splash page of Wolverine and the X-Men ready to to drop the big top on the murder circus! Doop fans will LOVE this issue!

I enjoyed every frame then Aaron and Bradshaw and pull a bombshell for theie final magic act! The comeback of a forgotten villain that may be tied to a running gag since the series began. This issue shows yet again this is the X-book is the most mutant fun you can have and maybe the most fun you’ll have with a Marvel title!

By Editor

 

 

THE HUNGER GAMES Costumes at Emerald City Comicon

 hungergames   Fans of The Hunger Games can feast their eyes on costumes worn by “The Girl On Fire” and other characters from hit movie based on the best-selling novel! An amazing collection of genuine costumes will be exhibited at the upcoming Emerald City Comicon taking place on March 1st – 3rd, 2013 at the Washington State Convention Center. This rare display of Hollywood history will be on display all three days!

  The exhibit features original screen-worn costumes worn by Jennifer Lawrence as “Katniss,” Josh Hutcherson as “Peeta,” Elizabeth Banks as “Effie,” Stanley Tucci as “Caesar,” Liam Hemsworth as “Gale,” Woody Harrelson as “Haymitch,” Lenny Kravtiz as “Cinna,” Donald Sutherland as “President Snow,” Wes Bentley as “Seneca,” and many more!

  The costumes are all set to be auctioned off in October but will be making a few appearances around the country first to give the public a chance to preview the items. Cities for the costume exhibit include Hollywood, Chicago, New York and Seattle.

 

The Hunger Games Cast Tour in Seattle, photo by ComicsBlend.com
The Hunger Games Cast Tour in Seattle, photo by ComicsBlend.com

  Almost a year ago thousands of local fans gathered and screamed for Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth on The Hunger Games Tour. Here’s a link to my interviews with those stars.

By Editor

Jason Aaron Gives BIRTH in the MARVEL NOW?

courtesy Marvel
courtesy Marvel

Jason Aaron. Simone Bianchi. BIRTH. April 2013.

The Marvel tease machine is rolling out the hits this week but I suspect this latest round of teasers are big storylines and not new Marvel Now titles.

SMASH signaled a Thor guest appearance in Indestructible Hulk with guest artist Walter Simonson.

BIRTH could mean Simone Bianchi is joining Aaron on a new arc of Thor: God of Thunder or Wolverine and the X-Men. BIRTH is in purple so it could signal a new book or arc starring Galactus, Thanos, Purple Man – he wishes!

By Editor

THE WOLVERINE Movie vs. Comic

 

Hugh Jackman as The Wolverine courtesy Marvel and 20th Century Fox
Hugh Jackman as The Wolverine courtesy Marvel and 20th Century Fox

  Hugh Jackman reprises his role as Logan in The Wolverine. The story will be set in Japan and based on the limited series by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller. Director James Mangold told Entertainment Weekly how closely the film will follow the classic story.

  “It’s definitely more. A lot of that story and a lot of beats from that saga are in there — and a lot of characters. Without being religious about it, I think it’s a very admiring adaptation. Obviously when you’re adapting anything you make some changes. But all the characters are there – Yukio, Viper, Mariko, Shingen, and Logan obviously. The whole cast of characters that exist in that world exists in our film.”

  Mangold confirmed this film is set after X-Men: The Last Stand but does not act as a sequel. The director says why he chose to set this film after the first three X-Men movies:

“Because of some of the themes in the Claremont/Miller saga. I felt it was really important to find Logan at a moment where he was stripped clean of his duties to the X-Men, his other allegiances, and even stripped clean of his own sense of purpose. I was fascinated with the idea of portraying Logan as a ronin – the definition of which is a samurai without a master, without a purpose. Kind of a soldier who is cut loose. War is over. What does he do? What does he face? What does he believe anymore? Who are his friends? What is his reason for being here anymore? I think those questions are especially interesting when you’re dealing with a character who is essentially immortal.”

For the entire interview here’s the EW link.

Hugh Jackman will play Wolverine again in X-Men: Days of Future Past.

By Editor

My GEEK OSCAR Nominations

courtesy Warner  Brothers
courtesy Warner Brothers

Will the Academy recognize the powerful performances and amazing talents behind 2012’s big sci-fi and comic book (I’m including James Bond because I love him and why not) based films? Here are my films, stars, creators that should be nominated plus some of my own geeky categories:

Best Picture: The Dark Knight Rises, Looper, Skyfall

Best Actor: Christian Bale, The Dark Knight Rises

Best Actress: Jennifer Lawrence, The Hunger Games

Best Director: Christopher Nolan, Rian Johnson

Best Supporting Actor: Michael Caine, The Dark Knight Rises  Javier Bardem, Skyfall   Michael Fassbender, Prometheus

Best Supporting Actress: Anne Hathaway, The Dark Knight Rises  Emily Blunt, Looper

Best Song: Skyfall, Adele

MVP of 2012: Continue reading My GEEK OSCAR Nominations

Marvel’s EXPLOSIVE New Superhero Couple

courtesy Marvel
courtesy Marvel

Marvel is teasing this hot new romantic hookup! So hot it’s explosive! Elektra and Punisher are sharing a passionate embrace in this tease for Thunderbolts this March.

Daniel Way and Phil Noto (who just wrapped up Rick Remender’s final Uncanny X-Force arc) are the creative team on the superhero pairing of anti-heroes so bad they’re good.

Will Frank Castle find love with Daredevil’s ex?

No word on if fellow T-bolts Red Hulk, Deadpool or Venom were in the running!

What do you think of this pairing? Continue reading Marvel’s EXPLOSIVE New Superhero Couple

HULK SMASH THOR

 

courtesy Marvel
courtesy Marvel

  Marvel is getting a more revealing in their Marvel Now teases! Looks like legendary Thor writer/artist Walter Simonson is joining Mark Waid for an upcoming arc of Indestructible Hulk guest starring Thor in April. It will be a SMASH is the Green Goliath does pick up Thor’s hammer!

In Marvel’s The Avengers Hulk famously sneaked in a sucker punch on the Odinson. In Indestructible Hulk #2 Bruce showed up Tony Stark in the labs of SHIELD and by unleashing the Hulk on Iron Man. Could the reinvigorated and bold Bruce be testing his power by going after the God of Thunder?

Two powerhouse creators on two powerhouse characters will definitely make this a smash for comic book fans!

By Editor