Monday, 31 October 2022

Tim Drake: Robin #1 - Comic Review

 

Originally published on Patreon


So, I had some mixed feelings about this book before going into that I shouldn't really let colour my views of it; but then I'm not perfect, so it has. I don't like that Robin was cancelled to make room for this book. Or at least, it looks like it was. There are two Superman books for two different Supermen. There are multiple Batman titles, and two people with that name. There's a book that has three Batgirls in it. There are two Aquamen. Why can't we have two Robin books for two Robins? Especially as the title of this one is indicating which Robin it is. I loved the Damian book, and seeing that go and getting this in its place feels kind of shitty if I'm honest.

But, I shouldn't really hold that against this book, so let's talk about this title on its own then.

If you've been reading Batman: Urban Legends, DC Pride Special, and the DC Pride: Tim Drake Special, you'll know that Tim has gone through some changes recently. Tim has come out as bisexual, and is dating a guy called Bernard. He's also split away from Batman for a bit and have moved into a house boat in Gotham harbour. It's here that we catch up with Tim, where he goes on a date with Bernard, and we get introduced to the people who make up his new neighbourhood.

Shortly into the night, two of this neighbours are found very, very dead. Tim calls in one of the GCPD detectives he knows he can trust, and along with former We Are Robin ally Sparrow, begins to investigate the scene. Tim realises there's a connection to the detective story Murder in the Rue Morgues, and is immediately attacked by a giant, glowing orangutan. 

Remembering a similar incident (in the DC Pride: Tim Drake Special) he tracks down the object making controlling the creature, and destroys it. He then figures out a way to bring the story to a close, and the ape vanishes. The next day it looks like the person behind it has left a mysterious package in Tim's boat.

So, I don't really like this if I'm being honest. I don't really like the fact that this is an issue one, but it's not the start of the story. If you've not read the previously mentioned special where he fought another glowy detective story animal it feels like you're missing out on some stuff here. I'm not talking about the usual kind of background stuff that comes with every issue one, this feels like jumping on in issue two and having missed the start.

I also didn't find a whole lot to this story to grab me. The Damian series was big, over the top, and dramatic, filled with wild characters and big action. This felt incredibly flat in comparison. It feels like nothing really happens in this issue, and I was left pretty bored through most of it. It didn't help that I had a hard time connecting to the characters, as this didn't feel a whole lot like Tim to me.

I've been reading Tim Drake for close to fifteen years now, he was my first Robin, and I love him, but none of the things that make him a great character were here. He did some detective work, but it didn't feel like Tim. Tim has an intensity when he goes into investigative mode that the other members of the Bat family, other than Bruce, lack; but here he felt no different to Cass or Steph over on Batgirls.

The new relationship is given a lot of time here, which I love because I am all here for queer Tim, but it felt like so much of who Tim is has been removed to make way for 'crazy in love' Tim. Hopefully this is just a 'he's in the honeymoon phase' kind of thing, and he'll get his head in the game soon, because he came across as a bit ditsy and air-headed, and that's not Tim for me.

I also didn't really like the art style used on this book, by Riley Rossmo and Lee Loughridge. I don't know the best way of describing it, but It feels kind of loose. Things look like they've been drawn quickly, with more flow and movement to them. Straight lines and hard edges are rare here, and it's very stylised. I also had a hard time with the character's faces, and people looked a bit weird for me. If you'd have shown me a picture of this out of context I'd never had said that it was Tim, and that level of detachment prevented me from really connecting with the character. I've also seen online that someone said Tim looks like the handsome Squidward meme, and now I can't un-see it.

I really wanted to like this book. I love Tim Drake, and I wanted it to feel like this was worth losing the other Robin book for, but I came away from this feeling a bit deflated. I'm hoping that things improve in the coming issues, but if it stays like this this might be my least favourite Robin centred book I've read.


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Sgt. Rock vs. The Army of the Dead #1 - Comic Review

 

Originally published on Patreon


I've never read a Sgt. Rock comic before this, I've seen him make brief appearances in other things, but I can't really recall ever seeing him having his own book any of the times I've been reading DC. So when I saw that the character was getting a new mini-series, one where he'd be fighting Nazi zombies, I was pretty intrigued. Then I saw that it was being written by horror icon Bruce Campbell, and I was absolutely sold on the idea.

This issue sets a lot of the groundwork for the series, introducing us to the concept piece by piece whilst setting the stage for the main events. We see a couple of Allied soldiers on guard duty late in the night approached by shambling Nazi soldiers. The troopers open fire on them, but the Nazi's keep on coming, overrunning the guard post and killing the soldiers.

We see the Hitler bunker, where the Fuhrer is told how Germany is losing the war. He demands that project regeneration be put into action, pushing the output to maximum in order to put more Nazi troops into the field. 

Sgt. Rock and his men get called off a supply guarding mission, and brought into Allied Headquarters, where they're shown one of the regenerated Nazis. We get some good info on how this is happening, a mixture of chemicals and brain implants, that gets the important info out of the way early on so that we're not left wondering how the Nazi's are doing this. By the end of the issue, the team has faced one of the creatures, been given a load of new tech, and are being sent off to destroy the lab lab where the zombies are being produced.

As said before, I've not read any books that really feature these characters, and this was my first real introduction to them; and as of yet I've still not gotten a huge idea of who they are. Sgt. Rock himself seems to be the only distinct character so far, due in large part to him being the guy in charge. I don't know if there are other established characters in Easy Company that Campbell is using, or if they've been created for this series; but either way, I'm hoping that now things have been set up we can get a chance to know the people a bit better in future instalments.

The art on the book, by Eduardo Risso and Kristian Rossi, really suits this book. It's darker, grittier looking, and looks a bit messy. The lines aren't all perfectly neat and uniform. There are details there, but not every single thing is drawn, and often colour and shadow are used to fill in the gaps and give everything depth. The artwork reminds me of things like the Hellboy and B.P.R.D. books, and the tone of this story seems to fit with that kind of gritty, horror tale. It's really nice, and the zombies all look gnarly and great because of it; and I can't wait to see more of it.

As a first issue, this is a really solid foundation for things to come. My only criticisms are that I don't really have any sense of the characters yet, but this is something that can easily change in coming issues. 


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Secrets in Scarlet: An Arkham Horror Anthology - Book Review

 


'A secret organisation ruthlessly seeks power over supernatural terrors in this globe-trotting anthology of arcane mystery and adventure, from the bestselling world of Arkham Horror

'Beyond our world lies another, one full of paranormal forces and eldritch horrors, and once that membrane has been pierced, life can never be the same again. In every corner of the globe, persons unknown are seizing objects of extreme supernatural power. They declare themselves defenders of humanity, fighting off the darkness which presses against the veil shrouding our reality from the unknowable. But do their claims of altruism ring true? And should they be permitted to wield such power? From the world of Arkham Horror comes an exciting new anthology that delves into new mysteries.'

The Akham Horror series is full of mystery, whether it's unknowable things from being our reality, secretive cults hidden beneath the surface, or artefacts of civilisations long forgotten, the series loves to blend mystery with the frightening. The latest book from Aconyte moves away from the rain-soaked streets of Arkham and heads out into the wider world as we learn about organisations, and one in particular shrouded in both secrecy, and scarlet.

The first story in the collection is 'The Man in The Bubble' by David Annandale, who introduces us to one of the key organisations in the book, The Foundation, a group of shady government agents led by the no-nonsense Commissioner Qiana Taylor investigate an explosion in the hear of New York City. Giving out the cover story that the explosion was caused by a gas mains, they actually go deep beneath the city's surface, where they find an ancient pyramid. They discover that a potentially deadly artefact, the Coronal Prism has been taken and delivered to one of the richest businessmen in the city. Knowing that the artefact could spread death and destruction if left unchecked, Taylor sets out to acquire it.

This is one of the shorter stories in the book, but is a nice introduction to this world. It only gives us one of the main groups, and The Foundation seems to be the one most likely to be doing good in the world, and working for the betterment of humanity. As such, it feels right to start with them. They're set up as guards against the darkness, as people who make it their mission to keep the world safe. Beginning here, with the 'heroes' makes it easier to start to understand that there are various groups operating for their own ends, looking to gain power through these artefacts and rituals. I also really enjoyed that Taylor is a strong, powerful Black woman in a time where both of those factors would exclude her from being in a position like the one she's in. She has authority, knowledge, and power that most people would kill for, and she uses it to help people who would look down on her for the colour of her skin and her gender. I wish we could have had more with her, because she felt like a fascinating character who could easily carry her own novel.

'City of Waking Dreams' by Davide Mana tells the story of inspector Li Flint of the International Criminal Police Commission, who has travelled to Shanghai to search for a mysterious woman. Over the course of his investigation he manages to track down the woman, identified by her red parasol, but soon begins to have strange experiences whenever she's around. With ghostly figures coming after him, criminals out for his blood, and his ally taken prisoner, Flint has to put on a daring rescue mission with multiple lives on the line.

This story definitely feels like a detective noir type tale, with an out of town detective trying to make headway into a city that he doesn't know, unsure of who to trust. One of the things that works well for this story is that Flint doesn't know about the otherworldly monsters and artefacts when the story starts, doesn't know that the person he's tracking down is more than she appears, and as such it takes a while for anything spooky and weird to even happen. You kind of forget that it's an Arkham story, and so when the horror kicks in it takes you by surprise.

'Brother Bound' by Jason Fischer introduces us to Desi, and his older brother, Javier, who end up getting involved in something that will forever change Desi's life. Living with their uncle on a sugar cane plantation, Desi watches as his uncle makes money whilst his workers break their backs for  pittance, and his older brother goes out and drinks and gambles his life away. One day, when Javier's friend gets arrested by the local police, but is released by a mysterious group of Americans, Javier tells his brother that they will need to go on the run. When his friend turns up dead Desi realises that Javier, and the entire family, are in danger.

This story is one of the more interesting early entries, as it starts to throw a wrench into the works. Up to now the book has seemed to make a pretty clear distinction as to what the two factions we've been introduced to are like. The Foundation are trying to do good things, whilst the people in red, the Red Coterie, are the villains. But this story flips that around as the Red Coterie come across as almost heroic in the final acts of the story. The best villains are those that see themselves as the heroes of their own stories, and that seems to be true here too. This story also gives us another staple of Lovecraftian horror, as we get ancient, underground civilisations, and a magical knife. The Mirroring Blade itself if a hell of a thing, a weapon that seems to kill whoever it strikes not only in this world, but every possible reality. This was a great story that took some unexpected and dark turns that I really loved.

Carrie Harris' 'Honor Among Thieves' tells the story about the Varela sisters, Rosa and Milagros, professional thieves who've been hired to steal a crimson hat and coat that will be displayed at an upcoming party. Planning out the heist, complete with tear away clothing and costumes that will allow them to sneak the items out, the two sisters believe that they'll make some easy cash. However, when the plan goes wrong and one of the sisters if forced to put the coat on, she discovers that it allows the wearer to move through dimensions.

I love a good heist story. Something about watching professional criminals plan out a perfect crime, and then watching as something invariably goes a little wrong and they need to think on their feet in order to get out of it just does it for me. And the Varela sisters are a really interesting pair of characters to follow. This story also once again shows the Red Coterie in a more benign light, and even seems to indicate that there are good people amongst its ranks. I really like that each new story here seems to change the way you think about this group, and that it's not an easy good vs bad scenario.

'A Forty Grain Weight of Nephrite' by Stephen Philip Jones brings the readers back to the US, where Kymani Jones, an individual researching special artefacts called 'keys', which contain mystical properties. After issuing a warning to the owner of one of these artefacts that it may soon be stolen, they're called in to consult when it is. After proving how the object was stolen from within a secure vault, Kymani finds them self caught up in a plot to secure the object, with the Coterie on one side, and the Foundation on the other.

This is a really neat story that starts as an interesting locked room style mystery, and soon turns into a larger plot that involves hidden societies, fights to the death, and secrets beneath the city. The story has a sense of history to it, as we get insight into where some of these objects come from and the effect they have as they pass down through the years, it has danger and action, with some great fight scenes, and it has a lead with they/them pronouns, something that I wasn't expecting for a story set in this era; but thoroughly loved.

Lisa Smedman's 'Strange Thing's Done' is one of the most interesting and creepy stories in this set, and one that I'd love to see made into a short film or an episode of television. The story centres on Rex Murphy, a journalist from Arkham who's been sent on a trip up to Alaska on a story. Journeying on the SS Martha, an old steamship, Rex finds himself in the company of several interesting characters, and decides to interview several of them in order to pass the time. However, Rex soon begins to notice some odd events, as passengers he's sure were on the ship suddenly vanish, with no one having any memory of them. As even Rex's memories begin to change a man with a red cravat tells him that reality is being changed by something on the ship, something that he's hunting, and that Rex needs to help him.

The changes to reality, the alteration of events, and the way the story changes around Rex are one of the more interesting parts of this story; and it's amazing every time it happens and we get to see the new, altered reality settling into place. It also feels like the closest this collection gets to a monster story, as this creature stalks people through this small, confined space in the middle of a dangerous location. People can't just run away, they're stuck on a ship in the frozen wilderness, tapped with a creature they don't even know is hunting them, because they can't remember the other victims. It's terrifying, and I loved it.

'In Art, Truth' by James Fadeley tells the story of Ece Sahin, an academic and member of the Coterie, who wears a red hijab. The curator of the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, Ece is researching into artwork from the post-Byzantine era in public, whilst secretly searching for information that could lead to the locations of more artefacts. When she discovers that someone is stalking her work, checking out the same books she does using secret names, she finds herself uncovering ancient secrets, coming face to face with another dangerous society, the Readers of the Elder Word, and sees her having to fight for her life.

This story is filled with history and culture, and Fadeley seems to put a lot of passion into bringing the world of art history to life as we learn about ancient civilisations, changes in regimes, fights for equality, and academic research. The story is packed with small details that make it all the more interesting. We don't skip over things as Ece does her research, but are with her each step of the way, making the discoveries at the same time that she does. It's also interesting to see a member of the Coterie on the back-foot, as she is for much of this story. So far the members of this group have been portrayed as confident, powerful, and some even cruel, but she feels the complete opposite for much of this story. It makes a surprising change that shows that there are all kinds of people on all sides of this conflict

'Crossing Stars' by MJ Newman is a story split across centuries, telling two narratives that slowly feed into each other. In one, we find ourselves in the ancient world, watching as a group investigate ruins said to hold relics of 'those who came before'. Our chief protagonist for these segments are Haresha Izem, a woman married to the group's leader, Razin. Along with the two of them are Razin's adviser, Haresha's warrior friend, her pet lion, and several guards. Despite being well trained and well prepared, nothing could prepare them for what they find waiting for them in the ruins. The other story brings us to the present day (for the stories in this book at least), where we discover that an academic, Luciana Diallo, is being told these stories by her patron, Amaranth. As the stories unfold it becomes clear that there's more to this than just someone regaling another with a simple story; and that something more sinister lies at the heart of it.

This story works really well thanks to the two different narratives, and the way that they weave in and out of each other. I think that it becomes clear what's happening pretty early on, with the audience figuring it out before Luciana does, but because the why and how is still a mystery it still works well, with the reader wanting more information as soon as possible to try and figure out the mystery. The segments set in the past are wonderfully told too, and it's great to see an Arkham story set so far in the past, with different types of people involved than we normally get. Instead of having detectives or academics facing eldritch horrors with guns, you've got warriors with swords and bows; it's fantastic. I'd love to see more stories in this universe embrace these kinds of settings.

The final story in the book, 'The Red And The Black' by Josh Reynolds, introduces readers to Trish Scarborough, an agent of the Cipher Bureau (also known as the Black Chamber), a secretive branch of the US government. Having been assigned to a case that led to her discovering about the existence of the 'keys', her journey has led her to Venice, where she finds herself being pursued by a figure in a red carnival mask. As Trish desperately tries to get her hands on a book that contains secret histories of the Red Coterie, she finds herself in the sights of deadly assassins.

After a few stories that have shown the Red Coterie in a more flattering light, this final story reminds readers that this group has a lot of blood on their hands, and that they're not afraid to do terrible things in order to achieve their goals. The way they stalk Trish, the way she's constantly looking over her shoulder and searching for people wearing red really reinforces how sinister they are; and it makes them into some great antagonists. The setting works wonderfully for this too, and the narrow, twisting streets of Venice makes for the perfect playground for a sinister game of cat and mouse.

Secrets in Scarlet is a wonderfully fun and interesting anthology collection. The stories are incredibly varied in style and setting, with a wide range of interesting protagonists to get your teeth stuck into. The book doesn't make clear distinctions between good and evil, and allows readers to see the grey that makes up this world instead, letting you make up your own mind. Fans of the franchise will find a lot here to entertain them, and the only real thing that you can say about the book that's bad is that it doesn't seem to last nearly long enough; and that you'll come away wanting more.


Make sure to keep an eye on out this week, as I sit down and chat with several of the authors in this collection!



Sunday, 30 October 2022

Action Comics #1047 - Comic Review

 

Originally published on Patreon


Kal-El has returned to Earth after months away fighting for the freedom of Warworld, and his return brings some big changes.

The biggest thing that happens in this issue is that Warworld itself appears in Earths orbit, the alien planet hovering over the planet. Obviously, this is not something that everyone is going to like, and there are going to be issues about it; and that's what this issue is all about. I really like that there's some fallout from the Warworld saga, and it's not just Superman coming back home and everything being good again.

Though the issue does start off by reminding us why Superman is Superman, why he's the hero that all others look up to and aspire to be like, when he rescues a family whose car was falling off a bridge. He not only saves them, but takes the time to talk to them and check they're okay. He makes the kids feel safe, and whilst it's a bit cheesy, reminding them to wear their seat-belts to stay safe is a wonderfully Superman touch.

From here, the Superman family has to appear before the UN, justifying the reason why Warworld has arrived around Earth, and that having them there could lead to good things for the planet. Superman appeals to the goodness in people, he tries to get them to see these aliens, some very alien aliens, as being like them. He tries to get them to connect as people, and when arguments are made about how they're bad or dangerous he turns it around and makes comparisons to humans who do the same.

This issue isn't just about showcasing how great Superman is, however, as we also get some appearances from Lex, who heads up to Warworld and steals some alien tech, and John Corben, Metallo. The opening scene, where John's sister goes to visit him in prison might be the best scene I've ever seen with the character. They way that he's been stripped down, disassembled, and left with nothing but his own thoughts, only able to communicate through text on a screen, is so sad. Its showing an incredibly human side to a character that's lost his human body long before. It humanises him in such a way that I felt sorry for him; something that I never have before.

There's also a back-up feature that focuses on Thao-La, and shows her finally waking up from her coma. It goes back in time a bit from the main story, and shows the arrival of Warworld and the reaction from the Super family before they realise it's actually a good thing. The story also sets up some antagonists with a character that slipped through the net of the Warworld story, and that I genuinely forgot was still out there.

It's nice that such a big story is having ramifications, and that things haven't quite been put to bed yet. Getting to see this story that was happening completely in space have an effect on Earth, and Clark's regular life is certainly interesting, and I'm excited to see where it goes.


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The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923) – Blu-Ray Review

 

Originally published on Set The Tape


The Hunchback of Notre Dame is an unusual film. Often included amongst the Universal Horror umbrella, thanks in part to the heavily made-up performance of leading man Lon Chaney, who would go on to play the titular role in The Phantom of the Opera (the first real entry in the series).

But is it a horror? I’d say no, it’s more of a historical drama. As such, if you’ve come to this film expecting horror, you’re probably going to be a bit disappointed, but if you’re picking up a copy of this new Eureka Entertainment Blu-ray to check out a piece of cinematic history, you’re sure to have a good time.

The film tells the story of several inhabitants of Paris in the 1480s, but mainly focuses on the deaf, half-blind, hunchback bell-ringer Quasimodo, who lives within the cathedral. Quasimodo is convinced to help kidnap a young dancing girl named Esmeralda, but when the plan goes wrong, he ends up being abandoned, and publicly lashed.

When Esmerelda comes to his aid he begins to develop feelings for her. As such, when Esmerelda is accused of witchcraft and attempted murder, and is sentenced to death. Quasimodo comes to her aid and takes her into the cathedral as the city descends into violence as the poor and downtrodden rise up against their masters.



Based upon the Victor Hugo novel Notre-Dame de Paris, re-titled The Hunchback of Notre Dame in its English translation, the film was a huge undertaking by Universal. Originally brought to the studio by Chaney, who had purchased the rights to make the film himself, the movie was eventually given the go ahead after it was pitched as a love story epic. Thanks to the passion that Chaney brought to the production the film became one of the most lavishly produced movies from Universal to date.

Production staff were sent to Paris in order to study Notre Dame, take photographs, make drawings, and gain as many measurements as they could. Over the next six months the cathedral was recreated on a huge plot of land, with the surrounding streets built to period specifications. And the result is a startling sight to behold. As soon as the film begins you’re thrust into the bustling streets of 15th century Paris, and it honestly looks real. The cathedral itself is so wonderfully reproduced, with tiny details present in the carvings and statues that make up the exterior, and old, weathered-looking halls inside, that you could have told me the film was made in Notre Dame itself and I’d probably believe you.

The level of attention to detail is something that took me quite by surprise, and was something of a shock. Having watched a number of Universal horrors, I’ve seen films that vary in quality from decently made to productions where you can see the walls shaking whenever the cast move. But this film, a film that’s almost 100 years old, looks better than some of Universal’s later offerings. There’s a huge sense of scale throughout, especially towards the end of the film when the riot breaks out, in scenes in which the studio employed more than 2000 extras.



Perhaps the one thing that will possibly keep people away from the film is the fact that it’s a silent movie, and a pretty long one at that. Clocking in at close to two hours, it’s a big film for the time. Silent movies aren’t an easy watch, and for those with attention issues the lack of dialogue certainly makes it a harder watch. But if you’re able to keep your attention fixed on the movie it’s a pretty decent experience.

Something that might help those that struggle with silent films, and certainly made my viewing experience better, is the audio commentary that comes on this new Blu-ray. The commentary, with author Stephen Jones, and author/critic Kim Newman, adds a lot of extra details and insight into the film, its production, its impact, and the other adaptations that have been made over the years. Thanks to the fact that most of the film puts its story across in action and the odd piece of text on the screen it’s actually possible to watch the film for the first time with the commentary and still get a lot out of it.

Also on the new release are a couple of interviews with Kim Newman, and film historian Jonathan Rigby, who both go into the film in a lot more detail, with both interviews clocking in at just under an hour between them. There’s also a collector’s booklet filled with essays and archival photos.

Whether or not this film falls into the category of Universal Horror, The Hunchback of Notre Dame is an interesting piece of film history that is worthy of attention. Thanks to lavish production values and strong performances, presented in newly restored quality, it’s a film that has lasted for a century for a reason.



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Saturday, 29 October 2022

DC vs. Vampires #9 - Comic Review

 

Originally published on Patreon


We're getting closer to the end of DC vs Vampires, and it feels like the pieces are being put into place for the finale as we follow three groups as they make their moves to end the vampire menace.

Supergirl, Steel, Jayna, and Black Manta come to the end of their boat journey, with Australia on the horizon. However, when the sea grows eerily calm Manta knows that it's not a good sign, and vampire Atlanteans storm the ship. Unfortunately, they're the Royal Guard, which means Aquaman is on the scene. And here's where we get a pretty cool reveal (spoilers coming), as Manta removes their helmet, to reveal Mera! The queen of the ocean engages with her former husband in battle! But its not enough, Jayna dies, and the ship is destroyed, with the wreckage pulling Kara down into the depths.

Already in Australia, Oliver Queen begins an assault upon one of the blood farms, taking out guards, stealthing through sand storms in tumbleweed suits, and setting up for a fight with 'the big man'. After taking down dozens of vampires, he's grabbed by Hawkman. 

Back in the US, Harley, Black Canary, Frankenstein, and Barbara try to find a way into Gotham city using the secret tunnels that Harley used to smuggle people out. However, it looks like the tunnels are all discovered and collapsed, leaving the group with the option to try and cross the river into the city using a small boat, whilst the skies are patrolled by vampires like Wonder Girl and Power Girl. Fortunately, they get some help in the form of Damian, who offers them a way into the city.

There's a lot of cool stuff this issue, and it feels like one of the better entries in the series since issue six and the jump forward in time. The Green Arrow stuff is really good, and it's great seeing him infiltrating this place and getting closer and closer to his target. Some of the traps he comes up with are pretty evil, such as petrol bombs that have holy water in them for 'twice the burn', and him rolling into camp disguised as a tumbleweed are ridiculous and so like Solid Snake I can't not love it.

The scene in the concetration camp with Grifter was pretty interesting too, and shows how much Ollie has changed in this new world. The old Ollie would do whatever it took to break those people out, and would put helping people in need above his mission, but here he's only focused on the one thing. He's grown cold. It's also not clear if Hawkman is 'the big man' or if he's an underling, but considering him and Carter have always had a bit of beef, it'll be interesting to see them clash.

The stuff around Gotham is pretty slow compared to everything else, and seems to be more focused on getting things ready for next issue. It's good that Damian is back involved, and will be interesting to see how much of the stuff that's been happening with him in the one shots and DC vs Vampires: All Out War comes into play.

The boat scenes might be the best bits of the issue, and looking back at how Black Manta was drawn before the reveal, it's kind of obvious that someone else was inside the suit, as they were smaller and slimmer. The fact that no one else knew and it was a shock reveal to the characters shows that they weren't doing the 'you don't know the voice because of voice balloons' cheap fake out, and that the suit was modulating Mera's voice. 

I've had a bit of a soft spot for Mera since Blackest Night, and getting to see her lose her shit and take on Arthur is great, and you can really feel that this is something a bit different; the moment of pause from Arthur, the rage in Mera's face. It's all big and exciting, and kind of overshadows the death of Jayna a bit because that happens so quickly, and is given so little focus. Out of all of the stuff in this issue, seeing if Mera made it out alive or not is one of the things I'm most looking forward to next time.

The art, by Otto Schmidt, looks really good. I've always found that this series has really good looking art, and the vamps look particularly vicious and mean. There are some great moments scattered throughout, and the art really elevates them from good into great.

I know some folks have been feeling a bit of a flagging feeling with this series, possibly in part due to the extras and tie-in's, but this is one of the best issues in months, and shows that there's still a load of good stuff to be found here.


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Godzilla: Monsters & Protectors – All Hail The King #1 – Comic Review

 

Originally published on Set The Tape


Earlier this year IDW Publishing released a graphic novel for the first volume of Godzilla: Monsters & Protectors, a new series aimed at a younger audience that proved to be a fun and enjoyable read. Now, IDW have given fans a new series set in the same world with Godzilla: Monsters & Protectors – All Hail The King, and it looks set to be bigger and better than what came before.

As with the first volume, the story opens with Cedric chasing the high of being internet famous, this time having made a small, animated gif about Godzilla protecting the environment. His friends, who lived through an adventure alongside the titular monster, still think that advertising their connection to Godzilla is a bad thing, and encourage Cedric to just let it go. The problem is, Cedric is being constantly messaged online by a troll named Dragon who keeps demanding that Cedric prove his claims of having a connection with Godzilla.

Whilst this might just seem like your average internet rando, it is in fact an alien invader! Agent Dragon is a member of the Xillian invasion force that’s preparing to attack the Earth, but is trying to gather information that can help them do so. Dragon is trying to get info on Godzilla from Cedric, and claims that “If the boy’s connection to Godzilla is true I’ll make him reveal it with the powerful technique the humans call trolling.” This might be one of the most evil men in any Godzilla media.

And thus we get the set-up for this volume of the series; the Xillians are watching us from space, prepared to come and invade the planet and destroy all we hold dear, but are still nervous about doing so thanks to the threat of the Kaiju. However, they discover something deep beneath the surface of the Earth that might help them in their mission, which if you know a bit about Xillians, and can extrapolate from the book’s title, you may be able to guess what it is without even needing to read the book.

This seems like a good solid start to the series, and it works a lot better than the first volume, which had a much shakier beginning, despite no monsters actually appearing in this issue (other than in dream sequences that offer a surprise cameo from Gabara, a monster that existed solely in a child’s dreams in the film All Monsters Attack). But the story doesn’t really need the monsters yet, as it’s doing a decent job of establishing the human characters. The returning cast fit well with what came before, and their development since the first volume feels believable and fits with where they were last time, especially Cedric.

We also get a couple of new characters introduced in this issue too. There’s the already mentioned Agent Dragon, the Xillian tech who’s surfing the web and abusing children. This is a pretty ridiculous character, and his line about using trolling to get things done did genuinely make me laugh. He’s a bit different from what we normally get from his people, so he makes a decent change. In contrast, Commander Z, his superior, is much more what we expect from the Xillians, and seems to be the straight man for Dragon to play against. There’s also Karen Higa, a new student at Cedric’s school who transferred from Okinawa after she asked her parents to move her there. She has an interest in Cedric’s story about Godzilla, and I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s more to her character than meets the eye.

The art on the book, by Dan Schoening, and Luis Antonio Delgado looks really nice, and fits the middle grade style very well. The art is bold and bright, with clear colours and simple to absorb panels. The characters all look dynamic and are easily identifiable, and even the matching Xillians look unique from each other. The monsters that we get this issue also look really good, and I was impressed that they actually made Gabara look like something other than a joke.

For fans of Godzilla, this is a pretty decent start to a promising series. It’s designed to be accessible to younger audiences, but does actually have stuff here that older fans will be able to enjoy too. With hints of bigger, scarier things to come, this could prove to be much better than the first volume.


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Friday, 28 October 2022

Batman: One Bad Day: Two Face #1 - Comic Review

 

Originally published on Patreon


I really didn't like the first entry in this new series of one-shots; mainly because the writer of that book seemed to think the best way to write a Riddler story was to have the character forget their entire thing, and just do anything that any other villain could do. It forgot that it was supposed to be telling a story about The Riddler, about what makes that character who they are. Thankfully, Mariko Tamaki has decided to write a Two-Face story that's actually about the character; and the series has been put back on track.

This story begins with a flashback to a time when Two-Face was a villain, where Harvey Dent was buried deep inside, and death and cruelty seemed to be all he cared about. Jumping forward in time, we meet Harvey in the present, where he's once again in control, and the Two-Face personality is locked away.

When Harvey, who's been given another chance at being a good man, comes to Batman with a threatening note that was sent to his father, he asked his friend/enemy for help. His father is being targeted at his upcoming 88th birthday party, and Harvey wants to make sure nothing bad happens to him.

Whilst Batman is willing to try to help, wanting for his old friend be we well and good again, Stephanie is wary about trusting him; but agrees to assist, along with Cass. Batman is unable to find out who's behind the note, but when things start to appear suspicious at the party, it looks like the threat might be very real.

I really liked this story. It's a great spotlight on the mind of Harvey Dent and Two-Face, how the two of them work together, and the history that he has with Bruce and Batman. Bruce really wants Harvey to be okay, to be the good man that he once knew. He's willing to give over his time to help him, and give him extra chances even when others aren't.

And I love the fact that Steph calls him out on this. She doesn't let him pretend this is any other case, and gets him to admit he's going above and beyond because of who it is. It's a nice thing to see, as the family confronting Bruce about stuff when he steps out of line is always a good thing.

The book also gives over a lot of time to looking at Harvey and his father, their relationship, and the way that Harvey is trying to put his life back together. You begin to root for him, and want him to succeed, even though history tells us that this reformation is likely only temporary.

The book has really nice art in it too, provided by Javier Fernandez, and Jordie Bellaire, and the book captures a lot of the dark and gloomy essence of Gotham city. They also manage to make Harvey look scarred, but not evil, and it's clear when he's each personality, as in the flashback Two-Face looks much more cruel than the kindly Harvey in the present. The action moments are also done really well, and the Batgirls both look great.

Overall, this was a huge improvement on the previous issue, and what I was hoping for from this series.


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Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White – Throwback 70

 

Originally published on Set The Tape


Charlotte’s Web is a story that most people will be aware of, even if they’ve never read it, thanks to it having become one of the most beloved children’s stories of all time. But what makes a story about a friendship between a pig and a spider stand out as something worthy of praise, and love, seven decades after it was first published?

Prior to the release of Charlotte’s Web, E.B. White was no stranger to the world of writing, having published a number of successful articles in The New Yorker and Harper’s Magazine, attracting attention for his witty way with words, and for making the most unusual subjects accessible to casual readers. But it was in children’s fiction writing that he found the most notoriety, having already published Stewart Little in 1945. Whilst that is a name that would go on to become incredibly well known, it wasn’t as well received when it was first published. It would be his second children’s book, Charlotte’s Web that would find him the most fame.

Charlotte’s Web tells the story of a small pig named Wilbur, who’s adopted by a young girl named Fern after she sees he’s the runt of the litter. Fern cares for Wilbur, and nurses him to health, but after a short while he’s grown too big, and is sold to Fern’s uncle, farmer Homer Zuckerman. Zuckerman puts Wilbur into one of the barns on his farm, and plans to fatten the pig up in order to slaughter him. Wilbur soon makes friends with Charlotte, a small spider who lived in the doorway to the barn, who hears of the farmer’s plan to slaughter Wilbur, and promises to find a way to save the young pig.

Charlotte comes up with an idea that she believes may say Wilbur, and writes a message into her web that says ‘some pig’. Zuckerman sees the writing, and as word spreads of the ‘miracle’ words, the barn, and Wilbur, become an attraction as people journey there to see it. As the excitement over Wilbur begins to die down, Charlotte writes a new word, ‘Terrific’. This again brings attention to Wilbur, and delays Zuckerman’s plans to kill him. After a third word, ‘radiant’, appears, Zuckerman decides to enter Wilbur into the country fair.

Charlotte journeys with Wilbur in order to keep the pig company, and the two of them arrive at the fair, where Wilbur fails to win the top prize. However, he is given a special award by the judges, which prompts Charlotte to write the message ‘humble’. Charlotte tells Wilbur that the prize means that Zuckerman won’t take Wilbur to slaughter now, as he’d want to keep an award-winning pig. She also tells Wilbur that that would be her final message, as she’s close to dying of old age, and does not intend to return to the farm with her friend. However, she does give Wilbur her egg sack, and asks him to take her children with him. Back at the farm, Charlotte’s children eventually hatch, and whilst most of them leave the barn, three remain behind to live with Wilbur, and he takes care of each new generation of Charlotte’s children, as she once took care of him.

One of the things that instantly wins people over to Charlotte’s Web once they’ve read it is the ending. The brief summary of the plot I’ve given only goes some way to putting across how surprisingly emotional a story this tale of a pig and his spider friend is, but it’s honestly quite devastating when you realise that Charlotte is about to die after she saves Wilbur, and that there’s nothing that can be done for her. And Charlotte’s Web might contain one of the most emotionally devastating sentences I’ve read in any book, let alone a children’s book: “No one was with her when she died”. I’m an arachnophobe who hates spiders, but that made even me cry.

But the book isn’t just about death, as it contains wonderful messages about life, about helping those around you, and of the importance of friendship and found family. The book is filled with themes that will not only appeal to younger readers, imparting important messages, but will allow adult readers to find something with more depth and weight than a simple child’s story.

And this is part of the reason why the book was so well received when it was released. The novel was seen as a story that appealed to readers of all ages, and received high praise in publications such as The New York Times, and the book would go on to receive the Newbery Honour from the American Library Association. Over the years, the book continued to sell well, and it’s estimated to have sold more than 45 million copies and been translated into more than 20 languages. It has been adapted to audio more than once, and even received a live-action movie adaptation in 2006, which also got a video-game tie-in. It’s been included in lists of the 200 best-loved novels by the BBC.

Charlotte’s Web is a story that has lasted the years because it’s open to all readers, because it has a strong emotional core, and because of the themes and messages woven into it. It has helped to teach children about death, and how it’s a part of life. And thanks to White’s short story Death of a Pig, in which he reveals his own story of trying to save a sick pig bought for slaughter, we can see Charlotte’s Web as his attempt to save a pig, even if only in his writing, as that death in his own childhood shaped the man he would become.


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Thursday, 27 October 2022

Star Wars: The Mandalorian #3 - Comic Review

 

Originally published on Patreon


Issue three of Star Wars: The Mandalorian does what we've had with the first two issues, a pretty faithful retelling of the events of the television series with nothing new or extra added to it.

We join Din as he returns to Nevarro in order to collect his bounty on the child. After handing it off to the client, he gets a nice cantono full of stolen beskar that he then takes to the secret Mandalorian covert beneath the settlement, where the Armourer forges him some new armour with it.

After picking up a new job from Kriff, he heads back to the Razor Crest to head off, but thinks back to the tiny baby and what the Imperial remnant might do with the kid. Heading back into the town, he breaks into the compound and steals the child back, killing stormtroopers on his way out. The bounty hunters are made aware of his actions, and Din gets confronted on the way back to his ship; but is rescued by the other Mandos. The issue ends with Din and Grogu flying off together.

This was a great action packed story, when it first aired on TV. As it is in comic form, it's fine. And this is my big issue with this book, is that it's just fine. There's nothing here that makes me go 'wow', or gets me excited, because I know what's coming. I've seen these scenes before. I know the action beats; and whilst it looks cool in comic form it doesn't capture the imagination of entertain nearly as much as seeing it in live action.

I think perhaps the best thing about this comic is that if you need to find out where a specific scene came in the series, or what episode a certain thing happened it's easier to flick through the comics and find it than watching through the show again. It's a handy aid to refresh your memory; but if you really want to experience the show again it's just not able to compete with the actual thing.

I'm not really sure who this comic is for. Maybe folks who don't have Disney+ and can't/won't pirate it and really want to experience the story? But for those who've seen it already it's nothing that special.


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Wednesday, 26 October 2022

Black Adam #4 - Comic Review

 

Originally published on Patreon


Maybe it's just me, but I'm not really sure what's supposed to be happening in this series any more. When it began Black Adam was dying, having been infected with a  disease by Darkseid. The it was revealed it wasn't Darkseid, and Desaad did it, but then Desaad was fake and it was actually a group of ancient gods. Maybe. They could just be in Adam's mind. Then Adam died. Now he's alive again, and he's saying he was poisoned with tea, even though that got ruled out in a previous issue. And the gods might be real, and were in a space could. I think.

I am really struggling to understand what's already happened, and I have no idea where this series might be going. It also doesn't help that I kind of don't like Malik much. There are some nice moments with him, like him using his super powers to entertain his infant niece, but on the whole I have no idea what his personality is even supposed to be.

Malik talks constantly, but half the stuff he comes out with seems superfluous, half sentences and jumping from one point to the next to the point where I have no idea what point he's even trying to make. There's a lot of use of slang in this issue, especially when Malik gets thrown out into the street and the pubic are shouting stuff at him. Not being from the US, I had no idea what half the comments they were making meant, and I guess perhaps it's specific to Washinton, as its stuff that I've not heard before.

Black Adam still strikes me as being very different to every other appearance I've read him in too, with him being un-transformed the entire issue, sitting in a comfy chair talking to a friend. It doesn't feel like Black Adam the ruler and moody hero that I've seen in every other comic, and if the name and costume were changed I could believe that this was an entirely new character.

Even the appearance of Etrigan did little to help me enjoy this issue, as the point of the characters inclusion was lost upon me. I don't know why he was here, and much like Malik, I had trouble understanding the things he was saying.

I'm not going to say that the book is bad, as I know there are folks out there that are enjoying it; I'll just say that it very much seems to be a series that is not designed for me at all.


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Birdsong by Katya Balen - Book Review

 


'After a devastating car crash, Annie is unable to play her flute and retreats from the music she’s always loved. She exists in a world of angry silence – furious with her mum and furious she can’t seem to play her beloved flute any more.

'Then she meets Noah, who shows her the blackbirds’ nest hidden in the scrubland near their flats. As their friendship grows, the blackbirds’ glorious song reignites Annie’s passion for music. But when tragedy strikes again, will her fragile progress be put at risk?'

Birdsong is a new release from Barrington Stoke that takes a look at tragedy. Annie is a young girl with a life that she loves. She plays the flute well, and is getting ready to try out for a specialist music school, and she's got the perfect home with her mother. But everything changes for her when her and her mother are in a car crash. Her mother comes out fine, but Annie injures her hands.

With fingers that don't want to do what she tells them, unable to play her music, and with scars that remind her constantly of what she's lost, her life begins to spiral out of control. Soon, her mother isn't able to keep up with work, and the two of them have to leave their home and move into a small flat in a tower block. 

Annie is angry with the way her life has changed. Her plans for the future are gone, her home is lost, and the simple things that used to bring her please, just making music, are denied to her. She's isolated, and spiralling into depression.

When looking out of her window one morning, she sees one of the new neighbourhood kids disappearing into the patch of scrubland nearby. Following after him, Annie discovers that the boy, Noah, is spending time with blackbirds living in the area. Gaining their trust over time, Noah has been caring for the animals as much as he can. Whilst she's at first reluctant to make a new friend, Annie begins to spend more time with Noah and the birds, a decision that will go on to change her life.

Birdsong is a book that doesn't really sugarcoat things. It shows a story where a young girl goes through a terrible event, and comes out of it the worse off. Annie is hurt by the crash, she has lasting physical and emotional scars from it, and they're things that lead to genuine depression. She becomes withdrawn, her relationship with her mother deteriorates, and she begins to find it hard to find any joy in life. The book understands that depression is something that can happen to children, and it never tries to make Annie seem like she's overreacting, or being wrong in the way that she's dealing with her trauma.

Instead, the book takes a different approach, and tells children that it's okay to be sad when bad things happen to them. It takes Annie time to be ready to open up, and it doesn't really happen until she begins to make a new friend. I think the story is trying to tell children that everyone's journey can be a little different, can happen at their own pace, yet still be valid and matter. You might go through something bad, and you might not be ready to move on or open up about it immediately, but that's fine, because you'll get there eventually.

The book also comes with a number of illustrations, provided by Richard Johnson, and I feel like they fit the tone of the book. They're presented in black and white, and mostly focus on Annie and the people immediately around her. Backgrounds are often not included, or mostly minimalist, because Annie is withdrawn into herself. She's the focus of the pictures because she's the focus of her trauma and her story to the point where shes's kind of not  caring about what's around her. It's a nice representation of her feelings in the book.

Overall, Birdsong is a really nice story about overcoming pain and trauma, and learning to get better. It's the kind of narrative kids need, so that they know that when they're feeling bad it's not their fault, and it's not going to be forever.


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Tuesday, 25 October 2022

Batman/Superman: World's Finest #7 - Comic Review

 

Originally published on Patreon


The first arc for Batman/Superman: World's Finest was an enjoyable adventure story about ancient magic users, gods and demons, and featured appearances from Supergirl and the Doom Patrol. This new arc seems to be taking a less grand approach, and is going in a more character focused direction as it tells the story of Superman's forgotten side-kick.

The story begins on another world, another Earth in the multiverse, where a pair of scientists in Gotham city load their teenage son, David, into a special pod and blast him off into space as the planet is destroyed. Rather than hurtling through space, the pod shifts into another dimension, bringing David to Earth-0.

As the pod crashes to Earth it's met by Batman and Robin, and Superman. Upon hearing David's story Superman feels an instant connection to him (because of course he would). However, it turns out the sun on David's earth is different to this one, and much like Superman the Earth-0 sun gives him powers. Rather than being a simple duplicate of Superman, however, he gains heat based powers.

After being checked over in Kandor and the Fortress of Solitude, Superman gives David a Kryptonian suit to help regulate his powers. Meanwhile, in Gotham, Bruce has managed to find this world's version of David's parents. however, when David tries to see them, he's confronted by his own grief and loss when they have no idea who he is, and want nothing to do with him. To try and help David, Dick takes him to meet the Teen Titans.

One of the things that this series has always seemed to do well is to capture a lighter feel that was present in older comics. Even when dealing with darker material, this series feels like something of a throwback, with happier characters, and slightly silly things happening. This really helps it to feel like we're seeing past events, but it also makes the series incredibly enjoyable to read. And this issue really benefits from that.

David's story is an incredibly sad one, and whilst it mirrors Clarks it has more tragedy to it as he's not an infant. He had a life on his world, he remembers his parents, his family, his friends. He knows what he's lost, and he feels that grief. He's a young man dealing with an immense tragedy, and in other hands it could make for a very depressing story. But here it doesn't quite feel like that. The other characters are trying their best to help him, to show him some good, and to make him feel like he could make a life for himself on this new Earth.

As far as first issues go, it's a decent start, and you very quickly come to care for David and want to see good things for him. Which I guess has me worried; as we know this isn't a character that's ever been around before. Which means he's probably not going to last. Now, this could mean that he gets a happy ending elsewhere, or it could mean his story ends in tragedy. We have no idea what direction they're going with this yet, and as such, I am kind of worried that it's going to end badly for David.

This issue also saw the return of Dan Mora as artist, after taking an issue off last month, and the artwork is absolutely gorgeous. I've loved his work since I first saw it on Power Rangers, and think that he's able to elevate the story a lot of time. His background and environments always look superb, but it's the characters that really stand out to me; especially teens. Characters like Dick and David, and the other Teen Titans, all look really good; and I'm looking forward to seeing more of them next issue.

If you have't tried out this series yet, issue seven is a great place to jump on for what's one of the more entertaining and enjoyable reads from DC.


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DC vs Vampires: All Out War #3 - Comic Review

 

Originally published on Patreon


In the third issue of this DC vs Vampires spin-off our team of heroes and villains finally reach their destination and put their plan to save the world into action; but get given a side-mission along the way from an unexpected new ally.

The change in location to the Florida swamps is a nice shift, and gives this issue a look that feels a bit different to what we've had in the first issue. We also get a startling shot that shows us that the swamp has become a giant farm where Swamp Thing has been turned into a farm for food to feed those trapped in the blood farm. Soylent Green is Swamp Thing I guess. It's pretty creepy, even for this series.

Not long into their time in Florida the team are saved from a vampire attack by Batwoman, who dispatches a number of vampires; though is one herself. Slade and the group go to kill her, but she convinces them that she's okay, and was sent there by Damian. Not entirely trusting her, they do agree to help her to rescue Starfire; who's being held near to the blood farms.

The team splits up, with some going with Batwoman to break out the alien princess, whilst the others carry on with the original plan. And the rest of the issue mostly follows the Starfire side of the mission, with the other part probably being the focus next time.

Starfire is being held under the control of Baron Cinder (more on him in a bit), and the team have to fight through hordes of vampires to get to her. Whilst they do manage to rescue her, and she leaves with Batwoman to go do whatever Damian has in mind, Bane ends up being killed in the process; losing one of the team's stronger fighters.

This issue is okay, it's not the best entry in the DC vs Vampires canon, but it's still pretty entertaining. The action is decent enough, and it seems to be putting things into place for later plans by going in and taking out Starfire; but on the whole there's nothing here that really stands out. The characters don't really have anything about them that jumps out (other than Mary being a delight), and some of the interactions feel a bit weird. I understand that this is almost a year into the vampire apocalypse, and old relationships have changed; but I don't get why Slade and Kory are so chummy, especially as Starfire has been a prisoner of the vampires since day one. It just felt kind of off.

Now, Baron Cinder. This is a new character to the series, or a reinvention of an existing one at least.  We know he's wearing Lex Luthor's suit, but can't be Lex because he died. His head is on fire, but it's not Firestorm. This issue claims that he's powered by solar radiation, which hints at this being a Kryptonian. So, I'm leaning towards this being Superman. He got badly hurt in a previous issue, which could explained the bald, scarred head, and perhaps vampirisim and being hurt by sunlight, yet being Kryptonian and being powered by sunlight is having this weird effect on him that's causing him to burn constantly. Plus, him being in Lex's suit would kind of be poetic in a way. I'm just spit-balling, but that#s what I think we may learn by the end of the series anyway.

The art, Pasquale Qualano, and Nicola Right, looks great as usual, the black and white art with splashes of red throw in looks really good, especially with things like the flowing red hair of Batwoman. The art on this series has always been nice, and the particular style it chooses works really well at making a darker, more oppressive atmosphere, yet never feeling too muddy or murky that you get lost as to what's happening.

The back-up feature gives us the second part of 'Dark Birth', which tells the story of how Nightwing becomes the vampire king. Having walked into the headquarters of a group of vampires, this month he's having to fight for his life to escape. Of course, it's absolutely hopeless as he's outnumbered by a ridiculous degree, and even not knowing how this ends it'd look like a no-win situation. The worst part of it, for me, is as dozens of vampires swarm over him and he knows he's about to die, the last thing he thinks about is 'Who'd feed Haley in the morning?'.

This honestly made me feel really sad, and brought a tear to my eye. In his final moment Dick didn't think about what would happen to him, didn't think about how he could have done something different, he thought about his sweet, innocent little puppy and if she'd be okay. This speaks to how kind a person he is, and perhaps this depth of kindness is why he fell so far when he became a vampire; all that goodness twisting into evil.

Haining's artwork is decent enough, and looks similar to the main story by being black and white with flashes of red, but does look different enough to stand out. It has a very manga-like quality to it, and Dick is a very pretty looking boy in this story. It is odd seeing DC embracing manga art, but as a small side-story it's okay.


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Black Panther: Panther’s Rage by Sheree Renée Thomas – Book Review

 


Originally published on Set The Tape


'An all-new re-imagining of the legendary Black Panther comics arc, Panther's Rage, from an award-winning author.

'Follow Wakanda's high-tech king across the savannah, into the deepest jungles and up snow-topped mountains in this prose adaptation of the landmark comics series by Don McGregor, Rich Buckler and Billy Graham. This arc expands on the life and culture of the Wakandans, also introducing us to Panther's historic enemies. See T'Challa channel the strength of his ancient bloodline to take out foes including the breakout character Killmonger!'

For many, Black Panther is a character that means a lot. The first Black superhero in mainstream comics, he’s a character with a long legacy, and thanks to the MCU and the work of the late Chadwick Boseman the character was discovered by millions of people who would never think to pick up a comic.

The latest Marvel prose novel from Titan Books focuses on the character just in time for the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever to hit cinemas around the world, and tries to retell the story that saw the King of Wakanda face off against his nemesis, Killmonger, for the very first time.

The original story, printed in the series Jungle Action, was first printed in the 1970s, and was written by Don McGregor, who took the King of Wakanda away from New York and the world of superheroes and back to his home nation in Africa. It’s widely considered to be one of the best, and most important early Black Panther stories, and this retelling is helmed by Sheree Renée Thomas, an author, editor and publisher who has worked on many books, including Dark Matter, a collection of stories by some of the best Black writers in sci-fi, fantasy, and horror.

The story begins with T’Challa, the King of Wakanda, living in New York, having left his home nation in the hands of a trusted adviser whilst he pursues a career as a superhero in America. Whilst in the US he has formed a number of friendships, including one with N’Jadaka, a man whose family were exiled from Wakanda in the past, and Monica Lynne, a singer whom he’d entered a romantic relationship with. When T’Challa receives news that the regent of Wakanda is dead, he sets out to return home, bringing N’Jadaka and Monica with him.

Arriving in Wakanda, T’Challa begins to hear of a figure called Killmonger, a person seemingly worshipped by some members of the community; the same people who call T’Challa a failed king, and demand his removal from the throne. As terrorist attacks begin to take place across the nation, T’Challa must face the very real possibility that Wakanda may be dragged into a civil war, unless he can become the king his nation needs. However, things become more complex when T’Challa comes face to face with Killmonger, and discovers that it’s his friend, N’Jadaka. Not only that, but Killmonger is as strong and fast as T’Challa, has a small army at his command, and is working with a cadre of villains and evil magicians. Can T’Challa find a way to survive against the greatest threat he’s ever faced, or will this be the fall of the Black Panther?

For those that have read the original 13 issue run, this novel will be pretty familiar, as Sheree Renée Thomas recreates a lot of that story here. For those whose only exposure to these characters is the Marvel movies, it may be a bit of a shock seeing the ‘true’ origin of some of these characters; especially as the book brings in a lot of the weirdness of 70’s comics. Unfortunately, the fact that it’s recreating a year long comic run from the early 1970s is perhaps the biggest downside of this book.

There are several times in the novel where you can really feel the fact that this was originally produced as a monthly comic. There are a lot of action moments, and it’s pretty clear that this is because comics from that time would feel the need to have something big and exciting happen in every issue. And whilst plenty of action itself isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it does start to become a little repetitive at times; especially when T’Challa is beating up the exact same henchmen time and time again.

The story also feels very bogged down in throwing small challenges at the hero, where he’d have to deal with something in each of the issues. As such, there are henchmen, d-list villains, and more enhanced animals for T’Challa to fight that are reasonable across the length of the book. The sudden inclusion of zombies for a few chapter in the middle perhaps feels the most egregious because it’s so out of place and feels like the biggest departure from the tone and flow of the story.

It feels like a shame that Sheree Renée Thomas wasn’t allowed to throw out some of these moments in an attempt to streamline things more. Instead, the book feels like it’s tied to the original too much. A re-imagining that takes parts of the story, that makes it work better in this medium, and stays true to the spirit of the original would have worked much better. As it is, it feels like perhaps you’d get more out of tracking down and reading the graphic novel instead. The times where Sheree Renée Thomas does add stuff, such as the inclusion of more modern tech like cell phones, or some of the inner workings of T’Challa’s thoughts, feels like too little of a new thing to really matter, and I couldn’t help but find myself glossing over some of the paragraphs of T’Challa’s inner monologue because I just wanted to get through it as quickly as I could.

Black Panther: Panther’s Rage isn’t a bad book, and if it’s one of your first exposures to the wider history of the character it’s going to be enjoyable enough. But for those familiar with the story it does at times feel like there’s not a huge amount here that you’ve not seen before, and that modernising a story from 50 years ago without changing much of it leads to a bit of a strange experience.


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