Where fiction collides.
Movie review time! Man, I haven’t done one of these in awhile. The comedic animation that is this month’s Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs inspired me to make this week’s RadNerd article a review of the movie. It’s probably still in theaters, so if you haven’t seen it … you should.
So enjoy! Stuff your faces! Go check it out now.
Even if you don’t typically enjoy black and white comics, you might get a kick out of Labor Days Vol. 2: Just Another Damn Day (Philip Gelatt, Rick Lacy) from Oni Press. It’s funny and has the charm of a good web comic strip, only … you know … it’s a graphic novel.
You can read the review over at the Girls Entertainment Network, and pick up the book starting tomorrow (Wednesday).
Many fans are still brooding over letting Batwoman steal the spotlight in Detective Comics now that Bruce is … elsewhere, but even if you’re still not crazy about Kate Kane, it’s hard to ignore the gorgeous display of artwork J.H. Williams III presents from issue to issue. Each page or spread-page dazzles with an array of color and creative panel work that keeps feeling fresh. But there’s something to be said about Greg Rucka’s writing, too. If I wasn’t hooked before, I certainly am now.
I love this new villain, Alice. For someone with a small army of henchmen—and loyal ones to the “High Madame,” at that—you’d think she’d be pretty incapable if she had to fight mano a mano. But the four issues she’s appeared in so far have proven otherwise, demonstrating that this enigma is more than just another Wonderland freak in Gotham. (Really, do these guys have Carroll-themed conventions? A fan club?) Alice is the perfect blend between completely annoying to the point where you want to throw a book at her, and utterly insane enough to make you flee when she yells, “Off with her head!”
This issue takes the pain to the skies—which is fitting, considering the story reaches an emotional and dramatic crescendo. Alice previously grabbed Kate’s father, and now she plans on dousing Gotham in chemical death. Of course, the Colonel provides excellent means for such an endeavor. The revelation at the end is not only startling, but it makes Alice a much more dynamic and breathing character. Long live the queen! The surprise is wonderfully built up throughout the issue, as well, thanks to J.H.’s clever touches.
The secondary feature, involving the Question, feels stale compared to such a vivid main story, and I found it a bit unbelievable, too. (She’s really that good at dodging bullets at such close range?) I can’t say it drags the book down, since all I honestly care about is the actual comic I paid for—not the stuff in the back (although sometimes it’s a rather nice bonus, if it’s good).
Recommendation: As for you, this comic will shake you into a kitten, that it will!
Curious how the Bat-books stack up here on the blog? Look here.
Like Alice in Wonderland? John Reppion and Leah Moore certainly do, and this November they’re bringing comic fans a jumbo mini-series dedicated to the original Lewis Carroll work with The Complete Alice in Wonderland by Dynamite Entertainment. GEN got the scoop first, so head over to the website and check out the interview! You might learn a thing or two.
This month’s Pull-O-Rama is now online over at Impulse Creations! The article reviews The Sword #19, Spider-Woman #1, Hellboy: The Wild Hunt #6, and Giant-Size Wolverine: Old Man Logan #1. Here are some teasers from each. Hope you enjoy ‘em!
“The Luna Brothers continue to master cliff hangers and stunning art sequences—they do their job so well, in fact, that some might say they wield powers of their own.” - The Sword #19
“With creative and moody art and colors by Alex Maleev, you’ll definitely be pleased to hold this first issue in your hands … If only every comic looked this good.” - Spider-Woman #1
“The secret’s out, and it’s a juicy one.” - Hellboy: The Wild Hunt #6
“If you wanted a disgusting bloody massacre, you got it—from cows to bad digestion, Giant-Size Wolverine: Old Man Logan #1 doesn’t hold back.” - Giant-Size Wolverine: Old Man Logan #1
